Horse Production

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Characterize the equine sector and the main systems of horse production, management and utilization in Portugal and in the European context.
2. Identify the main national and international horse breeds and relate them to their functional, sporting and productive aptitudes.
3. Assess equine morphology, conformation, body condition and functional soundness as support tools for technical decision-making.
4. Analyse and plan housing and management systems adapted to horse requirements and farm objectives.
5. Integrate previous knowledge of nutrition, reproduction and health in solving practical equine management problems.
6. Apply management principles to breeding mares, stallions, foals and horses in work.
7. Interpret the main legal, technical and administrative requirements related to equine activities.
8. Conduct a technical assessment of an equine unit, identifying constraints and proposing improvement measures.

• Evolution, domestication and utilization of horses.
• Economic, social, cultural and environmental importance of the equine sector.
• Characterization of the equine industry in Portugal and the European Union.
• Equine production and utilization systems.
• The role of the animal scientist in the equine sector.

2. Horse Breeds, Functional Aptitudes and Genetic Resources

• Main Portuguese horse breeds: Lusitano, Garrano, Sorraia and Terceira Pony.
• Main international breeds of zootechnical and sporting interest.
• Functional, productive and sporting aptitudes.
• Studbooks and breeding programmes.
• Conservation of equine genetic resources.

3. Equine Morphology, Conformation and Functional Assessment

• Body regions and technical terminology.
• Morphological and functional evaluation.
• Limb conformation and its influence on utilisation and longevity.
• Gaits and locomotion.
• Body condition scoring.
• Relationship between conformation, functionality and aptitude.

4. Applied Behaviour and Safe Horse Handling

• Behavioural characteristics of horses.
• Social organization and horse-human interactions.
• Principles of learning and habituation.
• Safe horse handling practices.
• Identification of behavioural changes relevant to management and utilisation.

5. Equine Facilities and Housing Systems

• Housing systems used in equine enterprises.
• Functional organization of stud farms and riding centres.
• Facility design and essential equipment.
• Management of paddocks and pastures.
• Biosecurity and environmental management.

6. Feeding Management of Horses

• Digestive characteristics relevant to horse management.
• Feed resources used in equine nutrition.
• Feeding criteria for maintenance, growth, reproduction and work.
• Body condition assessment.
• Common feeding management errors and their consequences.

7. Applied Equine Reproduction

• Reproductive organization of breeding units.
• Management of broodmares and stallions.
• Natural mating and artificial insemination.
• Pregnancy and foaling management.
• Reproductive performance indicators.

8. Management of Foals, Young Horses and Horses in Work

• Neonatal care and early management.
• Growth and development of foals.
• Weaning and rearing management.
• Introduction to training and utilization of young horses.
• Management of sport, leisure and working horses.

9. Functional Health Management and Preventive Practices

• Health monitoring and disease prevention.
• Basic hygiene and hoof care.
• Main clinical warning signs with relevance for animal scientists.
• Basic preventive health and biosecurity protocols.
• Collaboration between animal scientists, farriers and veterinarians.

10. Equine Utilization and Equestrian Systems

• Main uses of horses.
• Equestrian disciplines and their functional requirements.
• Relationship between aptitude, training and performance.
• Workload management and prevention of use-related problems.

11. Legislation, Identification and Technical-Economic Management

• Equine identification and registration systems.
• Passports and mandatory documentation.
• Transport and movement of horses.
• Legal framework governing equine activities.
• Cost structure and basic management indicators.
• Technical assessment of stud farms and equestrian centres.