Learning objectives
The student will know the main traits of a horse conformation in relation to breed, type and employment
The student will be able to:
perform a correct morpho-functional evaluation of a horse, in accordance with the type and employment
compile correctly a horse passport or identification document
evaluate a horse's age
recognize the most important equine breeds and know their main characteristics
Prerequisites
DOMESTIC ANIMALS ANATOMY, EMBRIOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY - ANIMAL AND PLANT BIOLOGY - ZOOTECHNICAL, BIODIVERSITY AND GENETIC IMPROVEMENT
Exames passed
Course unit content
Horse morpho-functional evaluation:
Morphofunctional evaluation: criteria and purposes.
Definition of strengths, weaknesses and defects depending on the type, attitude and breed standards
Syntetic and Linear evaluation, criteria and forms
Body Regions: Criteria for the evaluation of the single regions: anatomical basis, dimensions, mechanical function and physiological strengths, weaknesses and defects, with reference to the sport and breeding activity
Head and neck: physiological, ethnological and functional traits in relation to the type.
Trunk, chest, flank.
Top line of the trunk: withers, back, loins, rump, tail.
Lower line of the trunk: abdominal and inguinal regions.
Limbs: shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, carpus, cannon bone, fetlock, pastern, foot.
Thigh, stifle, leg, hock, distal parts of the hind limb
Elements of animal biomechanics: balance; limb structure evaluation: front, lateral and rear view.
Coat characteristics - pigment formation and colour definition.
Coat colour classification
Genetic determination of horse coat colour.
White markings and their use in horse identification.
Equine Ethnology
Concepts of equine breed, population-breed, attitudinal type, colour registry. Horse breeds of Italy, with Stud Book or Registry. Cosmopolite horse breeds: Thoroughbred and Arab. Main saddle, racing, draft and pony breeds of Europe and of the American continent.
Bibliography
D. P. S. Sponenberg - Equine color genetics - Iowa State Press
A. L. Catalano - Valutazione morfo-funzionale del cavallo. Igiene ed etnologia - Edizioni SBM
1993
A. Soldi – Cavalli - Guide Compact De Agostini.
Teaching methods
Classroom lectures and practical activity in farms
Assessment methods and criteria
Written and oral exam with questions to assess the acquired knowledge. Horse pictures will be presented and the student’s skill in evaluating and compiling an identification document of the horse will be evaluated.
The ability of expression and the use of an appropriate terminology will be considered in the attribution of the mark.
