Welcome to our popular online, instructor-led course in Equine Behavior! This course is appropriate for equine enthusiasts from all backgrounds who want to dive deeper into the science of horses.
Learn about equine behavior and how it relates to human-horse interactions and equine health through this online course with short, weekly assignments. The course is focused on understanding the behavior and cognition (mental capacities and learning) of horses within the context of how to care for, handle and train horses using best available scientific information.
Course Format
Learn how the behavior of horses relates to their care, healthy development, and overall welfare and needs with a focus on human-horse interactions. Behavior, cognition, communication, wellbeing, and stress are reviewed in the context of the impact humans have on horses in various settings, including management, human health services, sport, and industry. Basic behavior modification as well as ethical and effective training and handling principles are presented within the context of behavior.
The course runs for 15 weeks and upon successful completion you will earn 8 CEUs. Each week features readings, teaching videos, a quiz and a discussion forum and can easily be completed by busy working professionals who need to learn on a flexible schedule and timeframe. This class is open to people from any experience or education level and can be accessed internationally.
Upcoming Course Dates
Fall Course Dates (FULL):
August 21, 2024 to December 9, 2024
Spring Course Dates:
January 15, 2025 - May 5, 2025
Cost and Registration Information
This class is open to people from any experience or education level. We welcome anyone who is interested in this topic to register.
Cost: $529*
*Does not include main course text: McGreevy, P. (2012). Equine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists. (2nd edition). ISBN: 9780702043376
I can honestly say this course changed my life. I know that sounds dramatic - but it is true! I will forever use the knowledge I learned here to improve my horsemanship skills. This course is objective, practical and science based. It is rigorous and effectively forms the foundation for all future learning. As someone involved in an equine teaching profession, I am so grateful for Nina and this course. Thank you!
This is a must-take course for anyone involved in human-horse interactions (EAS). We spend so much time learning about the humans but the horse welfare and well-being is pivotal to a successful program and client experience.
I would say that no matter what skill level a person has when they come into this course, they will learn so much! You will be able to better consider the horse's perspective and considerations for your equine partner.
This course provides a comprehensive foundation based upon equine science that can improve all areas of horsemanship. This includes owning and caretaking, training, riding and including equines in psychotherapy. Get ready to question myths and assumptions and LEARN from a true equine science "lens." The course is amazing and the on-line learning platform is easy to navigate.
I would highly encourage anyone to take the course, the content and materials are very informative. The curriculum addresses issues that are valuable to anyone interested in learning more about horses and how to improve human interactions, training methods and most of all gaining a broader understanding of equine behaviors.