Horse breeding is an important sector in the equine industry, and knowledge of its fundamentals is crucial for anyone who works with horses. This course is particularly useful for stud owners, equine assistants, riding instructors, horse trimmers and stable hands.
The Certificate of Horse Breeding will deepen and strengthen your understanding of horse breeding, which will improve your career prospects in many areas of the equine industry.
In this online horse breeding course, you will gain an understanding of mare and stallion anatomy, managing and arrival and departure at stud, prenatal growth, fertility, pregnancy, and newborn care.
On completion of this course, you will have gained a solid foundation to build experience in the field of horse breeding and understand how to raise healthy horses.
Course Structure
Unit - Horse Breeding
Unit 1 – Why Breed Horses?
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- An understanding of heritability is fundamental
- Meiosis
- The Work of Gregor Mendel
- Chromsomes and Genetics in Breeding
- Selecting the mare and the stallion
- Quantitative and Qualitative Inheritance
- Inbreeding and Linebreeding
- The Genetic Effect of Inbreeding
- Line Breeding
- Advantages of Inbreeding
- Stallion and Mare Complementation
- The Industry
Unit 2 – Mare Anatomy
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- The Reproductive Cycle of the Mare
- Hormonal Control
- Abnormal Oestrus
- Breeding Fitness
- General Broodmare Care
- Nutrition and Feeding
- Rations
- Carbohydrates
- Fat
- Protein
- Vitamins
- Roughage
- Hay
- Pre-Season Care
Unit 3 – Stallion Anatomy
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- Sperm Production
- Semen Release
- Reproductive Cycle of the Stallion
- Breeding Fitness
- General Stallion Care
- Handling
- Pre-Season Care
- Stallion Management for Reproduction
- Training the young stallion
- Steps in training a novice stallion onto the phantom
- Common clinical problems with stallions
- Castration (Gelding)
Unit 4 – Managing the Arrival and Departure of the Horse at the Stud
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- Semen from the stallion
- Collection and Processing
- Evaluating the Quality of Sperm
- Breeding methods
- Natural Breeding
- Live cover – In-hand or Pasture
- Artificial insemination
- Handling Frozen Semen
- Embryo transfer
- When to breed
- Detection of Oestrus
- Teasers
- Visual Signs
- A plan for when things go wrong
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
Unit 5 – Pre-Natal Growth
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- Conception of twins
- Gestation and Methods and Detecting Pregnancy
- Methods of Diagnosis
- Palpation
- Pregnancy Tests
- Ultrasound
- Post-Natal Growth
Unit 6 – Care of the Pregnant Mare
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- Nutritional Requirements
- Caslicked Mares
- Preparation for foaling
- Exercise Needs
- Worming
- A deworming program for mares
- Preparation of the foaling environment
- Preparation for if things go wrong
- The Physical Environment – Bedding
- Common Bedding in the Foaling Environment
- Straw
- Wood Shavings
- Wood Pellets
- Rubber Matting
- The Parturition Process
- Stages of Labour
- Common Foaling Problems
- Dystokia
- Abnormal Presentations
- Health Problems of the post-partum mare
- Retained placenta
- Haemorrhage
- Post-Partum Metritis
- Rejection of the Foal
- Prolapsed Uterus
- Lactation (Udder edema)
- Lactation (reduced milk supply)
- Foal and foaling reports
- Example Foaling Record
- Example Foal Report
Unit 7 – General Newborn Care
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- Stabling and safe environment for newborn foals
- Lactation and suckling
- Premature Foals
- Orphan foals
- Common health problems in newborn foals
- Infections, Constipation and Diarrhoea
- Septicaemia
- Meconium Impaction
- Diarrhoea
- Congenital disorders
- Neonatal Isoerythrolysis (NI)
- Angular Limb Deformities
- Flexor and Extensor Tendon Abnormalities
- Delayed Ossification of the Cuboidal Bones
- Heart Murmurs
- Congenital Papilloma (Warts)
- Entropion
- Neurological disorders
- Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome (NMS)
- Head Tilt
- Structural abnormalities
- Uroperitoneum
- Umbilical Hernias
- Training a foal in the earliest stages
Unit 8 – Introduction to Fertility
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- Understanding Fertility in Mares
- Understanding Fertility in Stallions
- Handling and Management in Stallions
- Age
- Overuse
- Nutrition
- Illness and Injury
- Other Abnormalities
- Semen problems
- Haemospermia
- Urospermia
- Oligospermia
- Structural disorders of the reproductive tract (mares)
- Pneumovagina
- ‘Maiden Cervix’ or Cervical Incompetence
- Vesicovaginal Reflux or Urine Pooling
- Structural disroders of the reproductive tract (stallions)
- Cryptorchidism
- Testicle Conformation
- Testicular Torsion
- Testicular Tumours
- Scrotal Hernia
- Venereal diseases (mares)
- Endometritis
- Bacterial Endometritis
- Fungal Endometritis
- Mating Induced Endometritis
- Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)
- Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
- Pyometra
- Abnormal Oestrus Cycles
- Silent Heat and Post-Partum Anoestrus
- Persistant Oestrus
- Vernal Transition
- Ovarian Tumours
- Persistant Corpus Luteum
- Haemorrhagic Follicles
- Abortion
- Venereal diseases (stallions)
- Bacterial Infections
- Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
- Equine Coital Exanthema
- Dourine
- Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)
- Infectious causes of abortion (mares)
- Viral Abortion
- Bacterial Abortion
- Leptospirosis
- Non-infectious causes of abortion (mares)
- Congenital Defects
- Twinning
- Umbilical Cord Torsion
- Progesterone Deficiency
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Horse Owners
- Horse Breeders
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