Feed Raw Materials, Nutrition and Feeding of Horses

The aim of the course on Raw food materials, nutrition and feeding of equines is for students to develop knowledge and understanding regarding the mandatory aspects related to horse nutrition and feeding through a theoretical and practical approach, aimed at the analysis of the raw food materials used in the equine sector as well as determining nutritional and dietary errors in daily practice. The aim of the course is also to provide students with the necessary elements to understand and evaluate the problems relating to the incidence of pathologies of nutritional origin in horses, providing the skills to reduce their incidence through a preventive evaluation of food plans and the ability to adapting them to the specific nutritional needs or problematic situations of the individual. The teaching therefore aims to train experts in the nutrition and feeding of the equine species, who are able to formulate specific feed and diets for equines and to relate both in the production of food intended for horses and at the level of the various breeding realities, with sector technicians and owners of the structures.

1. Knowledge and understanding: the student, at the end of the course, will have to demonstrate knowledge of the necessary skills to understand and analyze the dietary regimes adopted in the equine field as well as formulate specific diets and feeds, developing the ability to intervene in the adaptation of the diets administered in reference to the specificities of the individual. individual and the managerial and structural characteristics of the host structure.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will have to demonstrate knowledge and undestanding useful to analyze the nutritional regimes adopted in the equine environment. He/she will have to demonstrate the ability to formulate specific diets and feeds, developing the ability to intervene in the adaptation of the diets administered in reference to the specificities of the individual and the management and structural characteristics of the host structure, understanding and interpreting the dietary and management needs of the specific farming reality in which nutritional intervention is required.
3. Making judgments: the student must demonstrate the ability to critically argue the information acquired. Specific practical activities are addressed in this sense, as well as the drafting of reports and presentations on specific teaching topics assigned by the teacher.
4. Communication: the student is expected to use scientifically appropriate language, in particular terminology referring to the field of equine nutrition. The practical activities are intended to stimulate the ability to use specific terminology and the ability to discuss scientifically with peers.
5. Lifelong learning skills: the student must gain the ability to use acquired knowledge to interpret the nutritional aspects of the diets adopted and the needs required by individual horses, with the help of available sources of knowledge and good mental organization.