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Equine Behavior and Training
Animal Science 311
Spring 2014
Instructor and Lab Coordinator:
Jennifer Zoller
249A Kleberg Center
Office Hours: By appointment only
Jennifer.Zoller@ag.tamu.edu
Classroom Lecture: 10:20 – 11:10 am W, KLCT 113
Laboratory Sections:
Section
Location
Time
Graduate Assistant
901
Horse Center
12:00-1:30
902
Horse Center
1:00-2:30
Meredith Kahn (Mkkahn86@tamu.edu)
903
Freeman Arena
12:00-1:30
Amanda Bradbery (amanda08@tamu.edu)
904
Freeman Arena
1:00-2:30
Raul Valdez (raulvaldez@neo.tamu.edu)
Colleen O’Reilly (colleen.l.oreilly@gmail.com)
Suggested Texts:
The Domestic Horse. 2005. Daniel Mills and Sue McDonnell. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, UK.
Principles and Techniques of Horse Training and Management. 1986. S.P. Webb, C.A. McCall, M.M.
Vogelsang and G. D. Potter. American Press, Boston, MA.
Course Description:
This course focuses on the behavioral management and training of the young horse. Lectures will present
information of natural behavior and instincts of horses, responses to external stimuli, means of
communication, and the classical learning principles. Laboratories will provide an opportunity for
students to apply this information to the behavior modification of their assigned project horse.
Laboratories are organized such that students are grouped by their experience levels to work toward
similar goals with their project horses in a supervised environment.
Learning Objectives:
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Revise written documents for clarity, completeness and accuracy
Critically review and evaluate scientific and popular press articles related to equine behavior
Identify and explain equine behaviors
Demonstrate the ability to apply training and behavior modification principles learned in the
classroom and laboratory to a project horse
Correctly use multiple approaches to training a horse and receive similar results
1 Grading: It is important to note that this class is designated as a “writing intensive” class. Therefore,
you will be expected to complete several different writing assignments throughout the semester.
Lecture:
 In-class Writing Assignments
 Peer Reviewed Writing Assignments (2)
 Popular Press Article
 Exams (2)
50 pts.
200 pts.
100 pts.
200 pts.
Laboratory:
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Lab Practicals
Training Journals
Stall/Barn/Attendance
150 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
TOTAL:
900 pts.
Letter Grades will be determined as follows (% of total points):
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A = 90-100%
B = 80-89.9%
C = 70-79.9%
D = 60-69.9%
F = 59% or below
The grades in this course will not be curved or rounded. You must earn your grades by performing the
described work or assignment. There will be opportunities to earn extra credit.
Americans with Disabilities Act:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation
requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides a reasonable
accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation,
please contact the Cain Building, or call 845-1637. For additional information visit:
http://disability.tamu.edu
“An aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do.”
http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor
2 Graded Materials and Examinations
In-class Writing Assignments (50 pts):
Students will be asked to critically review scientific or popular press articles as well as participate in
group discussions. Students will also be required to hand write a response to answer questions
concerning the given prompt. In-class writing assignments will be unannounced and cannot be made up.
Peer Reviewed Writing Assignments (200 pts.):
There will be two of these writing assignments during the semester. Each assignment will consist of
submission of the manuscript by the student and peer review. You will submit a short assignment from a
prompt provided by the instructor. The assignment should be two pages (12 point font, double spaced;
between 3,000 and 3,500 characters with spaces). Students will submit their work anonymously (random
ID numbers will be assigned) and papers will be distributed for peer review. Students will submit their
work with a title page that includes the name of the author, assignment, and section. Everything after the
title page should have no identifying labels so that the paper (minus the title page) can be distributed for
peer review. Your grade for this assignment will include your paper (50 pts) and your peer review for
another student (25 pts) and a student’s review of your paper (25 pts). You will be given a grading rubric
to peer review each paper. This will be the same rubric used by the instructor/TA to grade your paper.
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Grammer and Spelling (25%)
Organization, Development and Content (65%)
Style and Originality (10%)
Popular Press Article (100 pts):
Students will write an article on horse training or behavior modification similar to articles found in
popular press magazines. Various aspects of the paper will have separate due dates:
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Topic and/or title and reference article (5 pts)
Outline (10 pts)
Rough draft (25 pts)
Final draft (60 pts)
The manuscript should be 4 pages in length (not including title page), 12 point font, double spaced, and
1” margins. The title page should contain the article name, name of magazine for which it is written,
author’s name, course title, and date. The paper should contain a minimum of 3 references that can
include books, magazine articles, scientific journals, and not more than one source from the internet.
References should be listed at the end of article as a suggestion for further reading, not listed in the text
like a term paper. Grading of the final draft will be as follows:
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Grammar and Spelling 25%
Organization, Development and Content 65%
Style and Originality 10%
3 Examinations (200 pts.):
Mid-term and final exams will be given. The exams will cover material presented both in lecture and lab,
including any materials handed out and material from required texts.
Lab Practicals (150 points)
This will consist of hands-on demonstrations of the objectives required for each laboratory section. Two
Practical exams will be given at various times during the semester and a final practical exam at the end of
the semester will ensure that each student meets the specified objectives for the lab. Practical exams
during the semester provide feedback on the progress the student is making towards the objectives.
Training Journals (100 points)
Each student will keep a daily training journal outlining their training goals, what principles need to be
used and how those principles were applied. Journals will be collected at random throughout the semester
for evaluation and grading by the Lab TAs.
Stall/Barn/Attendance (100 pts.):
Students will be evaluated throughout the semester for cleanliness of their stall, water-buckets, and the
barn aisle assigned to their lab. Attendance in lecture and lab will also be recorded.
BEFORE HANDLING ANY HORSE:
Students must fill out and RETURN to lab TA:
Liability Waiver and Information sheet
These will be distributed on the first day of lab and need to be returned ASAP.
BEFORE 5 PM MONDAY:
Complete online Lab Safety Acknowledgement (LSA) on Howdy
Login to Howdy. Under “My Record” Tab, look in “My Schedule” section for link
called Lab Safety Acknowledgement. Click on that link and follow instructions to
complete the Lab Safety Acknowledgement. You may have more than one
depending on your class schedule.
4 Absences and Missed Work:
1. NO UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCES WILL BE GRANTED. Attendance will be taken in both lecture and
laboratory.
2. There will be no make-up work allowed without an authorized absence. Any missed work or assignments must
be completed with the discretion of the instructor or TA within 1 week of absence.
a. If you miss class or lab due to an authorized absence, you must notify the instructor (class
absence)
or TA (lab absence) within 24 hours (preferably before) and make up work must be
completed within 1 week.
Any assignments missed due to an unauthorized absence results in a
grade of zero. If extenuating circumstances
occur, consult the instructor immediately.
b. Authorized absences do not excuse students from lab assignments. A goal of the laboratory work is to
stress the importance of responsibility and arrangements must be made by YOU for the proper care of your
animal. You must make arrangements for your horse to be turned out and stall cleaned for that day, no
matter what the reason for your absence!
c. In case of an absence (unauthorized or authorized) care must be arranged for your project animal. A
fellow classmate must be contacted by YOU to care for your horse. It is not your TA’s job to make sure
your horse is cared for!
Table outlining point deductions for absences in labs:
Excused or Unexcused absence
Unexcused absence with alternate
with failure to arrange alternate
care arranged
care
First occurrence
No point deduction
No point deduction
Second occurrence
20 point deduction
10 point deduction
Third occurrence
30 point deduction
15 point deduction
Fourth occurrence
Project animal privilege
Project animal privilege
terminated
terminated
3. Laboratory attendance is MANDATORY (excused or un-excused) and is necessary for success. Achievement of
the laboratory goals depends on your attendance and the amount of time you spend working with your horse. If you
continuously miss lab or waste time during lab it will be impossible to achieve the objectives set for this course.
a. Students will be considered absent if they are not actively working in the arena or ready for class 15
minutes following the designated start time.
4. DO NOT wait until the end of the semester to ask questions regarding graded materials or absences. You have 1
week to complete missed assignments (FROM THE DATE THE ASSIGNMENT WAS DUE) and 1 week to
consult the instructor concerning incorrect grading or mathematical errors in graded work. No corrections will be
made to graded work after 1 week of the work being handed out.
5. Lab sections will meet unless cancelled due to inclement weather. Please check your e-mail 15 minutes before
class is scheduled to begin if you believe inclement weather is a problem.
6. Valid absentee excuses require a doctor’s note or documentation of a school-sponsored activity that must be filed
with your laboratory instructor. Any extenuating circumstances will require pre-approval from the instructor and
will be excused at the instructor’s discretion. For further clarification, see http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rules7.htm
5 ANSC 311 Lecture Schedule – Spring 2014
*Schedule is Subject to Change*
Week
Date
Topic
Reading
1
1/15
Introduction
McKenzie Paper
2
1/22
Nature of the Horse
3
1/29
Behavioral Development
TDH pg 126 – 155
4
2/5
Social Behavior
TDH pg 83 – 88; 140 –
144
Peer Paper 1 DUE
5
2/12
Body Languages of Horses
TDH pg 88 – 92
Title and reference
article for Popular Press
Due
6
2/19
Senses
Peer Review 1 Due
7
2/26
Marketing
Outline for popular press
DUE
8
3/5
Mid-Term Exam
9
3/19
Behavior Modification
TDH pg 161 – 210
Peer Paper 2 Due
10
3/26
Reinforcement and Punishment
TDH pg 161 – 210
HO: Yates paper
Rough draft for popular
press DUE
11
4/2
Reinforcement and Punishment,
cont.
TDH pg 161 – 210
Peer Review 2 Due
12
4/9
Feeding Management
13
4/16
Exercise Physiology
14
4/23
Final Exam
Assignment Due
Final Draft of Popular
Press Due
6 Objectives for Project Horses in ANSC 311
A Lab
Project horses must:
Be easily caught
Be gentle to handling
Permit handling of feet, hoof trimming
Lead at walk and trot from both sides
Longe at walk and trot quietly
Respond to being set up for halter exhibition
Be well-groomed and fitted, including clipping
Have mane and tail well-groomed
Accept rinsing with water
Stand while tied
Accept sacking
Load in trailer
B Lab
Project horses must do all of the above and:
Accept saddling and bridling
Accept mounting and dismounting
Accept driving in circles, lines and through a pattern
Walk and trot in circle and straight lines with rider in a steady manner
Stop and back readily without resistance
Walk through cavelletti and other basic trail obstacles
C Lab
Project horse must do all of the above and:
Canter on both leads while being ridden
Perform smooth and steady upward and downward transitions
Sidepass, leg-yield and do other basic maneuvers
Perform simple patterns
Perform forehand pivot and hindquarter pivot
In order to receive full credit for the lab portion of this course, the student must accomplish all the
objectives required. The instructor may change the objective for lab during the semester. Grades will be
assigned accordingly and points cannot be given if the objectives are not fulfilled.
**** At the instructor’s discretion, project horses may be reassigned among
the students at anytime during the semester. Reassignment of projects will
not adversely affect the students’ course grades. Avoid “getting attached” to
your project horse; they are not pets. Project horses will be assigned
accordingly to insure the students’ best interests with regards to safety and
course objectives. ****
7 Laboratory Equipment Requirements for ANSC 311
A Lab (required for each pair/group of students)
Yearling (colt) halter
Cotton lead rope (at least 8 feet) with heavy snap
1 30-foot longe line of 3/8 or ½ inch cotton rope with light-weight snap
Medium to soft bristle brush
Rubber curry comb
Mane comb
Hoof pick
Leather work gloves (optional but highly recommended)
Proper footwear!!! Leather boots.
B and C Labs (required for each student)
Yearling or two-year old halter (small to medium horse)
Cotton lead rope (at least 8 feet) with heavy snap
2 30-foot longe lines of 3/8 or ½ inch cotton rope with light-weight snap
Medium to soft bristle brush
Rubber curry comb
Mane comb
Hoof pick
Camping Snaps
D-ring or O-ring snaffle bit
Curb strap (not chain) or bit hobble
Headstall (with browband/throatlatch) and split reins
Leather work gloves (optional but highly recommended)
Saddle and saddle pad (Western saddle highly recommended)
Properly fitting ASTM/SEI riding helmet
PROPER FOOTWEAR! Leather boots with a heel!
The above equipment can be found at feed stores, farm and ranch stores and western stores. Some local
vendors include: Brazos Feed and Supply, Tractor Supply Company, Producers Co-op, and Close
Quarters. Be sure to keep sales receipts for halters until you have tried it on your project horse. If you
cannot furnish the equipment required for the lab in which you are enrolled, you may want to consider
getting into another lab which uses less equipment. Without the required equipment, it will be difficult to
accomplish the objectives for your lab.
8 Rules and Safety Regulations for Equine Science Laboratories
1. Do not touch a horse without supervision!!! If you arrive to lab before a TA you MAY NOT
handle your horse until the TA or instructor arrives at the facility! This is for safety purposes!
2. Parking – park only at designated area at the Horse Center and Equestrian Center. Do not park on
the grass or block entrances to the barn or arena.
3. You must be dressed safely to work horses – no sandals, shorts, skirts, low-rise pants, halter or
spaghetti strap tops, or tennis shoes allowed. Boots and long pants are required at all times.
4. Leather gloves may be useful in preventing hand injuries.
5. It is mandatory that protective headgear is worn when riding young horses
6. DO NOT USE OR BORROW ANY EQUIPMENT THAT IS NOT YOURS WITHOUT THE
OWNER’S PERMISSION!!!
7. Do not ride any horse unless the instructor authorizes you to.
8. Do not ride in the barns or parking areas at any time.
9. Work horses only during designated hours Monday through Friday.
10. Do not enter any pasture without instructor’s permission. Do not catch pasture horses alone (you
must go in pairs for your own safety).
11. Do not take any horse away from the barn or arena without approval; then you must go in pairs
for your own safety.
12. Do not do anything with your horse that you have not been shown how to do in class unless your
instructor gives you permission.
13. Keep all gates closed!!!!! We follow the strict “If you open it, shut it” rule!
14. Offices and labs are off-limits to student without authorization.
15. Absolutely no tobacco products in the barns or arenas.
16. No alcoholic beverages allowed on the premises.
17. No pets allowed outside of your car. Please leave them at home.
18. No student cell phones in work areas.
19. Place all trash in proper containers.
20. Do not put shavings bags or other bulky material into the trash cans in the barns. Please take
them out to the dumpster.
21. Always return horses to the pasture, pen, or stall where you got them.
9 22. Clean up after your horse in alleyways and wash stalls.
23. Report any sick or injured horses to your lab instructor or center manager.
24. Do not administer any medication to any horse without approval from your lab instructor or
center manager.
25. Always cool horses thoroughly before putting them away (even if you have to stay after class).
26. Clean and return all University owned equipment to its proper place immediately after use.
27. It is recommended that students not bring friends to class on a frequent basis as it is distracting to
all students and prevents the student from making the best use of the class session.
Specific Rules for Equestrian Center in Addition to the Above
1. Each lab is responsible for sweeping the alley after each class meeting and for keeping the
tack-room in respectable order.
2. Students are responsible for maintenance of their horse’s stall as directed. All manure is to be
dumped only in a designated area.
3. Check water daily to make sure buckets are clean and water is available.
4. Tie horses only to tie rings in stalls or wash stall. Do not tie to stall bars, doors, trees, or arena
fence panels.
5. Keep center area of barn as free from traffic as possible.
6. Shut all gates that you go through, especially those to the round pens and arena.
7. If any equipment is “caked” with mud or manure, it is to be washed immediately.
8. If any stall becomes flooded for any reason, it is the responsibility of the student to clean and
remove excess water on the day it is found.
9. Do not leave soft drink containers in stalls, alleys or at arena. Do not try to handle horses
and drinks at the same time.
(B & C Labs) WEARING PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR IS MANDATORY.
10