Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Equine Diologe
This post is currently under development. If you have any suggestions please make a comment to this post.
Links to CTS Module
- Link to CTS module AGR 2070 (Links to labels Equine 1 )
- Link to CTS Module AGR 3070 (Links to labels Equine 2 )
Saturday, July 11, 2009
How to prevent bitting problems in horses
Though horses don't have sharp teeth, if they bite you it can be very dangerous. Some people have been badly hurt after being bitten by horses. If you are the owner of a horse, or are considering buying one, it is important to understand how to prevent them from biting you or someone else. This is something you want to avoid at all costs.
Biting is a natural behavior for many horses. When horses play together, they often bite, and horses are known for grooming each other with their teeth. When horses are aggressive they will bite and kick in order to demonstrate their dominion over other horses, and this often leads to severe wounds. The owner of a horse needs to make sure the horse understands that they are the person who makes the rules. They should not be biting or nipping any person at all.
Biting and teething are different, and this is important for owners to understand. If you have a horse that likes to bite, their are different things you can do to stop this bad behavior. If it is a foal, firmly rub or massage their nose or lips for about 5 minutes. You want to make sure you don't squeeze. The foal will get tired of the attention, and this is when you will want to stop. The horse will begin holding his nose forward, and will look away from you. This is a good sign. If the horse again approaches with his nose, repeat the same process until they stop.
While many horse owners may find nuzzling to be cute, it can eventually need to nipping and then biting. If you allow your horse to nuzzle it is important to be aware of this. Feeding the horse from your hands often leads to them biting, and if you are currently feeding the horse by hand, you will want to stop this immediately. You should place the treat on the ground instead.
Some horses will make a sharp move towards you when you turn away from them, and this is a bad sign. Any horse that moves toward you quickly with his teeth can bite you. With a horse like this you will want to strike him. You don't want to strike him in the eyes or ears. You don't have to hit them very hard. But you want to make sure that they understand that diving towards you with their teeth is not acceptable.
You don't want to hit them with your hand, as it is too weak to get any point across, and you may hurt your hand as well. A rope is a good tool to use. You want to strike him on the body with enough force that they understand you are disciplining them and not playing with them. While this may sound abusive, there have been cases where people have been badly injured by biting horses, and this is an issue you want to take seriously.
Why to start with a snabel bit before progressing to other bits
the first thing you want to teach to a young colt is whoa! the rest will come later with a progression of bits.some to teach turning some to teach neck reining but always in a progression,so in other words you start with a soft bit to keep the mouth soft then progress in severity of bits so when you end up with the finnishing bit you are using the least pressure on the bit with kitten hands.
Types of mouth reins
Draw rein - used to control the horses head and prevent them from tossing there head
German Martingale
The German martingale is designed to teach your horse to give to the bit, flex at the poll and maintain good vertical and lateral head position. This equipment is ideal for helping a horse to learn proper head position for stops, spins and collection
Running Martingale
The running martingale (sometimes known as rings) consists of a strap which is attached to the girth and passes between the horse's front legs before dividing into two pieces. At the end of each of these straps is a small metal ring through which the reins pass. It is held in the correct position by a neck strap or breastplate.
A running martingale is adjusted so that each of the "forks" has about an inch of slack when the horse holds its head in the normal position The reins make a straight line from the rider's hand to the bit rings when the horse's head in at the correct height and the running martingale is not in effect.
When the horse raises its head above the desired point, the running martingale adds leverage through the reins to the bit on the bars of the horse's mouth. The leverage created by this pressure strongly encourages the horse to lower its head. A running martingale provides more freedom for the horse than a standing martingale. If a horse happens to trip on landing after a fence, the rider can slide the reins and the horse will have full use of its head and neck.
Because of this safety factor, the running martingale is the only style of martingale permitted for use in eventing competitions and horse racing. Show Jumpers also prefer the running martingale due to the extra freedom it provides. Running martingales are also used outside of the competition arena on young horses being trained in the Saddle seat, western riding, and many other disciplines.
A running martingale should be used with rein stops, which are rubber or leather stops slipped onto the rein between the bit and the ring of the martingale. They stop the martingale from sliding too far forward and getting caught on the bit or on the buckles or studs that attach the reins to the bit. Sanctioning organizations require a running martingale to be used in conjunction with rein stops if the reins are buckled to the bit.
Standing martingale
The standing martingale (also known as a head check)has a single strap which is attached to the girth, passes between the horse's front legs and is fixed to the back of the noseband. To prevent it from catching on other objects, it also has a neck strap. A variation is attached to a breastplate in lieu of a neck strap. When correctly fitted it should be possible to push the martingale strap up to touch the horse's throatlatch.
A variation of the standing martingale, called a tiedown, is seen almost exclusively in the western riding disciplines. A tiedown is adjusted much shorter than a standing martingale and is intended primarily to prevent the horse from flipping its head up when asked to abruptly stop or turn in speed events. It consists of an adjustable strap, one end which attaches to the horse's breastplate and the other which attaches to a noseband on the bridle. The noseband can be of leather, but may also be of lariat rope, or even plastic-covered cable, which can make the western tiedown considerably harsher than the English-style standing martingale.
With both pieces of equipment, the slack is taken up out of the strap when the horse raises its head above the desired point, and pressure is placed on the horse's nose.
The standing martingale is competition legal for show hunter and hunt seat riders equestrian over fences, and is popular in fox hunting, and in polo. It is also seen on some military and police horses, partly for style and tradition, but also in the event of an emergency situation that may require the rider to handle the horse in an abrupt manner. It is not legal for flat classes.
Cavesson
Horse trailers
Function- to transport horses from one place to the next
Maintenance
HORSE TRAILERING SAFETY
Preparing the Horse for Travel
Maintenance
THE TRAILER
- When purchasing a horse trailer consider the needs of your horse. The trailer should posses:
- Ample height (7-8 feet) and width (6-8 feet) for the horse(s) being hauled.
- Rubber mats on the floor and tailgate to provide traction and cushion during loading, unloading and travel
- Tie ropes or chains of adequate length with quick release safety snaps
- Adequate padding on chest bar and stall sides
- Interior lights for night time hauling
- Air vents on the roof and along side panels
Regular maintenance checks should be performed on a horse trailer every time it is used. Routine items include:
- Tires need a minimum amount of 1/4" of tread (check with your state Division of Motor Vehicles for the measurement); be adequately inflated and have no signs of dry rot cracks. Spare tires also should be checked.
- Jacks and safety triangles or reflectors should be in good working order in case of breakdown. (Ignitable flares should not be stored in the horse trailer because of fire potential)
- Floorboards should not be rotted or in weak condition.
- Replace any boards that are questionable. To help lengthen the life of a trailer floor, mats should be lifted after use and the floor swept or hosed out. If the floor is hosed be sure it is dry before the mats are replaced. Yearly applications of a weather sealer on the floor boards will also extend their life.
- Any screws, bolts or nails that may have worked loose and are protruding from the inside of the trailer should be removed.
- All lights (marker, tail, brake, directional and interior) should be working and bright.
- Hitch welds, safety chain welds and snaps should be in good repair.
- Grease hitch ball as necessary.
- Wheel chocks should be in good condition and used anytime the trailer is unhitched from the towing vehicle.
Yearly maintenance checks include:
- Inspection of frame for cracks and wires for loose connections and frayed covering
- Repair or replacement of rotted or rusted metal
- Greasing of all hinges, springs, etc.
- Inspection of ramp hinges and springs for weakness and cracks
- Wheels should be pulled and bearings checked and repacked
- Inspection of spring shackles for wear
- Inspection of brakes and emergency break-away cable, pin and control box
HORSE TRAILERING SAFETY
Preparing the Horse for Travel
- Practice loading and unloading the horse in the trailer well in advance of any scheduled events; especially if the horse is unfamiliar with trailering. A battle getting into the trailer is an unpleasant way to start a journey or end what had been an enjoyable day.
- Horses should be trailered in a leather rather than a nylon halter. In an emergency situation (such as the halter becoming snagged) a leather halter will break more easily and is less likely to injure or burn the horses head.
- Wrapping a horses legs for travel not only protects the legs from injury but adds support. It is important to ensure that the wraps extend below the coronet band to protect this area. (See Rutgers Cooperative Extension Leaflet #609 Horse Bandaging: A Practical Art - for the proper way to wrap a horses legs.)
- Always remove all tack (saddle, bridle, harness) from the horse when trailering.
Loading the Horse
- Whenever loading or unloading horses, it is best if two people are available to do the job.
- Use a cotton lead rope or leather lead when loading or unloading horses. This is advisable in the event that the horse rushes backwards pulling the lead through your hands. Nylon leads will blister, burn and cut hands when pulled quickly.
- Before walking a horse into the trailer, make sure that chest bars and escape doors are open for the handler to exit safely. Never climb under or over dividers, chest bars or the horse to exit the trailer. Never leave yourself in the position of being trapped in the trailer with the horse between you and the exit.
- Make sure that the trailer is securely and properly hitched to the towing vehicle before loading a horse. Never load a horse or leave a horse in an unhitched trailer. Do not unhitch a trailer with a horse still inside. Trailers are very unstable and can easily tip on end.
- When loading a single horse, place the horse on the left side of the trailer. When trailering two horses, place the heavier horse on the left side. This will make towing the trailer smoother and the ride easier for the horse because of the crown contour of the road surface.
- When approaching the ramp make sure the horse is in the center of the ramp so that the horse does not step off the sides.
- Always secure the butt bar/chain before tying the horses head. If the horse pulls back before the butt bar is in place it wont break the tie, the halter or fall down. Do not stand directly behind the horse when hooking the butt bar in case the horse flies backwards.
- When tying the horses head use a safety-quick-release knot or a tie with a panic/safety snap (See Figure 1). Make sure the horse has enough rope length to permit head movement for balance, but not to get its head down or over to the horse traveling alongside.
Traveling Safety
- Most horses take to trailering naturally, while for others it is often a traumatic experience. It is important that a horse be happy and secure when being trailered. One bad experience in trailering is all it takes to make a horse a bad hauler. A bad hauler is hard to cure.
- Before starting to travel check to see that the horse is comfortable, that ventilation is adequate, and that the hay bag or manger is securely fastened so that the horse cannot become tangled in it.
- Test all doors to make sure they are secure and that the hitch is tight. Safety chains should be in place and all lights and brakes functioning in accordance with your states Division of Motor Vehicle codes.
- Turns, starts and stops should be very slow and steady.
- Do not exceed the speed limit. Remember to allow extra stopping distance when towing a trailer. Moving horses and the weight of the trailer will push against the towing vehicle.
- Do not allow anyone to throw lit cigarettes or matches from the window of the towing vehicle. Wind currents often suck the cigarettes or matches into the trailer, causing a fire.
- Check on the horse(s) at every stop or every 100 miles. At this time also check the hitch, safety chains, lights and hay bags. Keep hay bags full and offer the horse(s) a drink of water.
- Avoid backing up with the trailer if at all possible. If backing is necessary it is advisable to have a person outside the vehicle to watch and guide you.
Unloading the Horse
- When lowering he ramp keep feet and hands out of the way.
- Untie the horse before lowering the butt bar.
- Do not stand on the ramp or directly behind the trailer when a horse is exiting in case it leaves the trailer quickly. It is not advisable to allow a horse to fly back quickly as this soon becomes a bad and dangerous habit.
- Try to keep the horse straight as it backs down the ramp so that it does not step off the side. Walk the horse around after trailering for an extended distance to restore circulation and ease stiff muscles.
Other Safety Precautions
- When tying a horse to the outside of a trailer, use a safety- quick-release knot or panic snap. Make sure the rope is short enough that the horse cannot get a leg over it, but long enough to allow free motion of the head. Never tie a horse to a trailer with a rope length long enough to permit grazing. This is where the most serious trailer accidents occur.
- The ramp to the trailer should be in an up position when tying a horse to the outside of the trailer, especially when the tie rings are located towards the rear. A ramp in the down position leaves space between the back of the trailer and the springs where a horse can easily get a foot or leg stuck. The ramp is also the right height for the horse to injure its lower legs on.
- Never leave a horse tied to the outside of a trailer unattended. When leaving a horse inside a trailer, make sure the chest bar and butt bar are secure, especially if an escape door is left open.
- Do not tie a horse to the outside of a trailer when it is unhitched from the towing vehicle. Horses are stronger than we think and a panicked horse can and will drag an unhitched trailer behind it.
- Trailering your horse is a fun and rewarding experience. As long as common sense is used and the safety guidelines above are followed trailering accidents are less likely to occur.
- make the material light weight
- make it fuel efficient
- after purchasing you need a bill of sale
- Price very 's based on size of horse trailer and feature of the horse trailer
Indoor Arenas
Operation and maintenance
- Keep dust down if a sand or dirt area
- make sure area is clean of horse feces
- harrow arena to make ground even and soft
- make sure arena is up to building code standard
- regular building maintenance
- use good insulation so it is warm in the winter
- use energy efficient lights to cut on energy costs
- prices vary based on size and materials used
- Exit doors in case of emergency or fire
Reproductive tecnologies
Embryo transfer
Estrus Manipulation
Equine Estrous Cycle Manipulation with Lutalyse
Estrus Manipulation
Equine Estrous Cycle Manipulation with Lutalyse
Manipulation of the equine estrous or heat cycle is important for many farms with brood mares. This is especially important for farms that are involved in artificial insemination and embryo transfer. One of the primary drugs involved in manipulating the equine heat cycle is prostaglandin F(2 alpha) and the only approved drug in horses of this type is Lutalyse. Lutalyse is a natural prostaglandin in contrast to the similar drug cloprostenol that is a synthetic. As a natural prostaglandin, side effects can occur in mares given Lutalyse such as minor colic and sweating. A recent study was performed to determine if a lower than recommended dose of Lutalyse would be effective in mares and potentially decrease side effects and decrease drug cost. North Carolina State used 11 horses and gave some horses the normal dose of 2 cc or 10 mg, some of the horses ｽ cc or 2.5 mg, and some horses ｼ cc or 1.25 mg. These were all single injections and results indicated all dosages caused all the mares to come into heat following the injections. So this study shows that 1/8 of the recommended dose can be just as effective as the full dose.
Although the study did not look at side effects, I would suspect that there would be less side effects with the lower dose as well as a lower cost. Another recent study showed that Lutalyse is also effective if you give only 1/10 cc of the drug twice in a 24-hour period. Although this is even less of the drug, it is cumbersome for most owners or farm managers to have to treat the mares 2 days in a row. The one single injection of ｼ cc Lutalyse instead of the recommended 2 cc is more user friendly and is really something to consider for the spring breeding season.
Basically humans now can select the gender of the horse before conception using DNA
XYinc leaders in gender selection
Friday, July 10, 2009
Stress and its Effecton Horses
Sources of Stress
The performance horse has many possible sources of physical and psychological stress to
contend with, including these:
• intense or prolonged exercise (whether in training or competition)
• adverse environmental conditions, particularly high heat and humidity, but also dust
and very cold or windy weather
• long-distance transport to and from shows (i.e. trips lasting longer than 6–8 hours)
• insufficient rest between athletic events or after long-distance transport
• lack of sleep at shows (e.g. late night events or activity in the boarding barn, stall too
small for the horse to lie down and rest comfortably)
• new experiences during training or competition
• confinement
• removal from familiar environment and social group
• changes in daily routine when traveling and at shows
• strange environment (e.g. boarding at shows)
• presence and activity of strange horses and people at shows
• increased stress levels in the handlers and rider
With repeated exposure, many horses become accustomed to most of these stressors, and
these activities or situations cease to be a significant source of stress. However, it takes
only one new or worrisome thing to stress a horse. And, as mentioned earlier, some
horses never quite adjust to all the extra stimulation associated with training, showing,
Effects on the horses health
The Stress Response
Regardless of the source of stress, the response by the horse’s (or the person’s) body is
the same. The stress response is a physiological, protective response to an event that
poses a threat (whether real or perceived) to the horse’s well-being. Physiologists
describe this response as readying the body for "fight or flight," although that phrase
implies a rather dramatic and immediate reaction to imminent danger. In less extreme
circumstances, the stress response is more subtle in its effects.
One of the key events in the stress response is the release of cortisol by the adrenal
glands. Cortisol is a hormone with wide-ranging effects on tissues throughout the body.
One effect, in particular, has important implications in athletic horses: cortisol decreases
the movement of glucose from the bloodstream into muscle cells (and several other types
of cells). This is meant to be a protective response, in that it conserves blood glucose for
essential functions, such as brain activity. However, in an exercising horse it decreases
the availability of this important energy source to the working muscles. As a result,
athletic performance is lower than expected for the stage of training.
Chronic cortisol release (i.e. chronic stress) also suppresses immune function, impairs
tissue healing, and causes a loss of muscle mass as amino acids from muscle proteins are
used to produce glucose. Thus, chronically stressed horses lose their “bloom” and
vitality; they look a little dull and they lack that spark which distinguishes winners from
the “also ran”s.
In addition, chronically stressed horses are more susceptible to infections. That includes
the contagious respiratory diseases (e.g. influenza, rhinopneumonitis [“rhino”], strangles)
as well as shipping fever (bacterial pleuropneumonia as a consequence of long-distance
transport). Recurrence of latent EPM (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis) or herpes
virus infection also is more likely when a horse is chronically stressed. Furthermore,
stressed horses are slower to recover from illness and from injuries (to which they, too,
are more susceptible).
One other common effect of chronic stress is gastric ulceration (stomach ulcers). Gastric
ulcer disease in horses is multifactorial. Stress (and the consequent cortisol release) is
only one of several factors involved; however, it’s a biggie. In survey studies of
performance horses, gastric ulcers were found on endoscopic examination of the stomach
in about 60% of show horses and over 80% of horses performing more intense athletic
activities.
It’s worth noting that in those studies only a small percentage of affected horses showed
obvious physical or behavioral signs of having gastric ulcers. What this indicates is that a
horse can be under sufficient stress to develop gastric ulcers without us being aware of it.
A study of cortisol levels in show jumpers illustrates this same point in a slightly
different way. In this study blood cortisol levels in three groups of show jumpers—
schooling level (least experienced), intermediate level, and open competition (most
experienced)—were compared, both at the home farm and at a show. As you might
expect, cortisol levels were higher in the schooling horses than in the more experienced
3
horses, and they were higher at a show than at the home farm. But even in the seasoned
show jumpers, competition caused an increase in blood cortisol.
The performance horse has many possible sources of physical and psychological stress to
contend with, including these:
• intense or prolonged exercise (whether in training or competition)
• adverse environmental conditions, particularly high heat and humidity, but also dust
and very cold or windy weather
• long-distance transport to and from shows (i.e. trips lasting longer than 6–8 hours)
• insufficient rest between athletic events or after long-distance transport
• lack of sleep at shows (e.g. late night events or activity in the boarding barn, stall too
small for the horse to lie down and rest comfortably)
• new experiences during training or competition
• confinement
• removal from familiar environment and social group
• changes in daily routine when traveling and at shows
• strange environment (e.g. boarding at shows)
• presence and activity of strange horses and people at shows
• increased stress levels in the handlers and rider
With repeated exposure, many horses become accustomed to most of these stressors, and
these activities or situations cease to be a significant source of stress. However, it takes
only one new or worrisome thing to stress a horse. And, as mentioned earlier, some
horses never quite adjust to all the extra stimulation associated with training, showing,
Effects on the horses health
The Stress Response
Regardless of the source of stress, the response by the horse’s (or the person’s) body is
the same. The stress response is a physiological, protective response to an event that
poses a threat (whether real or perceived) to the horse’s well-being. Physiologists
describe this response as readying the body for "fight or flight," although that phrase
implies a rather dramatic and immediate reaction to imminent danger. In less extreme
circumstances, the stress response is more subtle in its effects.
One of the key events in the stress response is the release of cortisol by the adrenal
glands. Cortisol is a hormone with wide-ranging effects on tissues throughout the body.
One effect, in particular, has important implications in athletic horses: cortisol decreases
the movement of glucose from the bloodstream into muscle cells (and several other types
of cells). This is meant to be a protective response, in that it conserves blood glucose for
essential functions, such as brain activity. However, in an exercising horse it decreases
the availability of this important energy source to the working muscles. As a result,
athletic performance is lower than expected for the stage of training.
Chronic cortisol release (i.e. chronic stress) also suppresses immune function, impairs
tissue healing, and causes a loss of muscle mass as amino acids from muscle proteins are
used to produce glucose. Thus, chronically stressed horses lose their “bloom” and
vitality; they look a little dull and they lack that spark which distinguishes winners from
the “also ran”s.
In addition, chronically stressed horses are more susceptible to infections. That includes
the contagious respiratory diseases (e.g. influenza, rhinopneumonitis [“rhino”], strangles)
as well as shipping fever (bacterial pleuropneumonia as a consequence of long-distance
transport). Recurrence of latent EPM (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis) or herpes
virus infection also is more likely when a horse is chronically stressed. Furthermore,
stressed horses are slower to recover from illness and from injuries (to which they, too,
are more susceptible).
One other common effect of chronic stress is gastric ulceration (stomach ulcers). Gastric
ulcer disease in horses is multifactorial. Stress (and the consequent cortisol release) is
only one of several factors involved; however, it’s a biggie. In survey studies of
performance horses, gastric ulcers were found on endoscopic examination of the stomach
in about 60% of show horses and over 80% of horses performing more intense athletic
activities.
It’s worth noting that in those studies only a small percentage of affected horses showed
obvious physical or behavioral signs of having gastric ulcers. What this indicates is that a
horse can be under sufficient stress to develop gastric ulcers without us being aware of it.
A study of cortisol levels in show jumpers illustrates this same point in a slightly
different way. In this study blood cortisol levels in three groups of show jumpers—
schooling level (least experienced), intermediate level, and open competition (most
experienced)—were compared, both at the home farm and at a show. As you might
expect, cortisol levels were higher in the schooling horses than in the more experienced
3
horses, and they were higher at a show than at the home farm. But even in the seasoned
show jumpers, competition caused an increase in blood cortisol.
Things to consider when Selecting .....
A stall
In a stall don't have dirt flooring as the horse may paw a hole
Don't have concrete flooring because this will cause the horse to crack or chip there feet
Interior Ancillary facilities
Make sure the barn is properly air filtered
- That the floor is clean of urine and feces
- that it is closed in
- that the horse will be provided food and water daily
- that the floor is not concrete because that is hard on horses feet
- ventalation
In a stall don't have dirt flooring as the horse may paw a hole
Don't have concrete flooring because this will cause the horse to crack or chip there feet
Interior Ancillary facilities
Make sure the barn is properly air filtered
Structures horses live in
Pasture
Paddocks
Stalls
Shelters
Round pen
is used for training and holding horses even ones that rear
- This land is rich in grass during the summer and springtime it is fenced in
Paddocks
- are smaller fenced in lands of pasture or land
Stalls
- Small closed in shelters usually found in barns
Shelters
- usually found out in the pasture for pasture horses
Round pen
is used for training and holding horses even ones that rear
Arenas are used for training, riding, and sometimes holding horses
Career Opertunities with Horses
Veterinarian
| Duties | |
| Veterinarians provide animal health and welfare services, and are involved in food safety, public health and environmental management. In general, they:
Diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and other conditions often involves:
Preventive medical services include:
Some veterinarians operate mixed animal practices, providing services for a wide range of animals. Others restrict their practices to acquaculture or particular types of animals such as:
Some veterinarians specialize in a medical discipline such as reproduction, surgery, oncology, dentistry, anesthesiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, cardiology or pathology. In addition to the above duties, veterinarians who own private practices have all the responsibilities of small business owners (for example, human resources and financial management, inventory management, marketing). In salaried positions, veterinarians may provide wildlife conservation, public health, food safety, agriculture development, disease surveillance or animal welfare services. | |
| Working Conditions | |
| The work can be physically demanding when working with large animals. Depending on the work situation, veterinarians may be required to lift up to or over 20 kilograms. Some have mobile clinics for treating animals in barns or open fields. Occupational hazards include contact with potentially dangerous animals and exposure to diseases which may be transmissible to human beings. After-hours emergency work is required in many types of veterinary practice. | |
| Educational Requirements | |
| Prospective veterinarians must complete at least two years of university studies followed by a four year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Most applicants for DVM programs have completed more than two years of university work in a related faculty such as science or agriculture. Suitable pre-veterinary medicine programs are offered by post-secondary institutions throughout Alberta. Entrance requirements vary from one instititution and program to another but, in general, include a competitive average in English Language Arts 30-1, Pure Math 30, Biology 30, Chemistry 30 and Physics 30. The University of Calgary offers a four year Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Applicants must have completed at least two years of full-time post-secondary instruction at a recognized college or university, and complete an interview. The program is open to Alberta residents only. Elsewhere in Canada, four year DVM degree programs are offered at the:
Students planning to apply for admission should consult institution websites or calendars for information about post-secondary course requirements and residency requirements. Post-secondary institutions throughout Alberta offer university transfer programs that allow students to apply up to two years of study toward university bachelor's degree programs. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the courses they choose to take will be accepted for credit at the institution to which they wish to transfer. | |
| Other Requirements | |
| Under Alberta's Veterinary Profession Act and General Regulation, only registered members of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) may call themselves or practice as Veterinarians. However, animal health technologists may provide veterinary services under the supervision of a Registered Veterinarian. | |
| Employment and Advancement | |
| Some veterinarians establish their own veterinary practices but most find employment as associates or partners in established veterinary practices. Veterinarians who do not choose private or clinical practice may be employed as:
Veterinarians employed by government agencies may advance in grade and salary as they accumulate time and experience on the job. In Alberta, most veterinarians work in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry. The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next ten years. | |
| Salary | |
| In 2005, Albertans in the Veterinarians occupational group working part-time or full-time earned from $35,600 to $171,500 a year. The average salary was $75,800 a year (2005 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey). More recent data is not available. | |
| Other Sources of Information | |
| Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above) EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) website: www.avma.ab.ca Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) websites: www.canadianveterinarians.net and www.animalhealthcare.ca | |
Veterinary Technician
Farrier
Horse Trainer
Other Horse Career Opportunities
| Duties | |
| Animal health technologists provide a wide range of animal health services under the supervision of veterinarians. In general, their duties include:
Animal health technologists may have additional responsibilities such as:
| |
| Educational Requirements | |
| Animal health technologists must have a two year Animal Health Technology/Veterinary Technology diploma accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. In Alberta, the following institutions offer two year diploma programs in Animal Health Technology:
For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites. Before enrolling in any program, prospective students should check with the Canadian Association of Animal Health Technologists and Technicians to make sure the program is recognized across Canada. | |
| Other Requirements | |
| In Alberta, membership in the Alberta Association of Animal Health Technologists (AAAHT) is required to work as an animal health technologist under the direction of a registered veterinarian. Graduation from an accredited Animal Health Technology diploma program and successful completion of an examination administered by the AAAHT are required for membership in the association. | |
| Employment and Advancement | |
| Animal health technologists may be employed by:
Advancement generally takes the form of being given more responsibility. Animal health technologists are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 3213: Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists and Technicians. In Alberta, 85 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry. The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next ten years. | |
| Salary | |
| According to the 2007 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists and Technicians occupational group working part-time or full-time earned from $25,900 to $51,700 a year. The average salary was $32,800 a year. | |
| Other Sources of Information | |
| Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above) EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo Alberta Association of Animal Health Technologists (AAAHT) website: www.aaaht.com Canadian Association of Animal Health Technologists and Technicians (CAAHTT) website: www.caahtt-acttsa.com | |
Farrier
| Duties | |
| Farriers care for horses' hooves and may apply horseshoes for protection, traction or therapeutic gait correction. In general, farriers:
Shoeing a horse usually takes about an hour. Farriers must work quickly and confidently and, at the same time, reassure nervous horses and deal with troublesome ones. Farriers also may fashion equipment such as hoof picks, fire pokes and fire shovels out of bars of steel. | |
| Educational Requirements | |
| Farriers need a working knowledge of:
Since most farriers are self-employed, they also must be self-motivated and have good marketing and business skills. In Alberta, Olds College offers a one year Farrier Science certificate program that runs from January to December. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2, Pure or Applied Math 20 and Biology 20, and demonstrate knowledge of the farrier profession, horse handling and tool use. A questionnaire, references and an interview are required. For current information about the program, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check the Olds College calendar or website. Continuing education programs may be offered on an as needed basis. Another method of learning the skills of the farrier trade is to arrange an informal apprenticeship with an experienced farrier. The length of such a training program would depend on the person's skills and desire to learn. However, informal apprenticeships are often difficult to set up because farriers are paid for the work done, not the time required, and it takes time to train someone. | |
| Employment and Advancement | |
| Most farriers are self-employed. Many start out by working part-time while employed in another job and go full-time when their practice has grown sufficiently. They may work in small shops or from mobile units and travel to:
Farriers work year round with working and pleasure stock and with race horses but there tends to be less work in the winter months. Experienced farriers may specialize in a particular type of horse (for example, show horses, standardbred horses or pleasure horses). Advancement generally takes the form of building a larger clientele. Farriers are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 7266: Blacksmiths and Die Setters. In Alberta, 76 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the following industries: The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Very few Albertans are employed in the Blacksmiths and Die Setters occupational group. Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next ten years. | |
| Salary | |
| Farriers are self-employed and must pay operating expenses from their gross earnings. Their net earnings vary considerably depending on the geographic area and the farrier's reputation and business skills. | |
| Other Sources of Information | |
| Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above) EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo | |
Horse Trainer
Other Horse Career Opportunities
Careers that have daily contact with horses:
| Veterinarian | Rehabilitation therapist | Riding Instructor |
| Veterinary Technician | Artificial Inseminator | Bloodstock Agent |
| Identifier | Rodeo Professional | Stallion Manager |
| Manager | Show Secretary | Judge |
| Trainer | Farm Manager | Mounted Police Officer |
| Breeder | Hot | Farrier |
| Pony Person | Groom | Steward |
| Driver | Jockey | Jockey Valet |
| Jockey Agent |
IV. Careers that are related to horses:
| Extension Horse Specialist | Actuary (insurance) |
| Association Executive | Feed Manufacturer |
| Lab Technician | Director of Public Relations |
| Financial Advisor | Architect |
| Engineer | Accountant |
| Sales Person | Clerical |
| Artist | Motion Picture Writer |
| Clothing Designer | Water Truck Operator |
| Tack Store Owner | Human Society Director |
| Illustrator | Reporter |
| Carpenter | Tour Guide |
| Trailer Salesperson |
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