Would you love to take equine courses in your own home? My Horse University (MHU) is a Michigan State University online educational program for people who love horses. MHU brings research and knowledge from experts to online courses and products.
Educational resources available include horse management articles, live and recorded webinars, and podcasts with topics covering everything from selection and storage of hay, to riding a spooky trail horse.
A variety of online courses are offered in three categories:
- Essential courses
- Specialty courses
- Free courses
Anyone handling and caring for horses requires a basic understanding of the fundamentals of horse management. Three courses are offered to provide this essential information:
Horse Behavior and Welfare
This class offers a wealth of resources for learning about horse behavior. You’ll learn about equine welfare and how it relates to horse management. Topics covered include: Horse’s Natural Behavior, Horse Learning and Cognition, Training Psychology, Stereotypical Behavior, Common Behavioral Problems, Assessing Equine Welfare, and Commonly Identified Welfare Concerns.
Horse Nutrition
Knowledge of horse nutrition and feeding management practices is necessary for all horse owners. A proper diet can lead to a healthier and better performing horse. Topics covered in this course include: Digestive Anatomy, Ingestive Behavior, Nutrients, Nutritional Assessment, Nutritional Requirements, Feedstuffs, Ration Evaluation and Formulation, Diseases, and Management Strategies.
Horse Selection and Evaluation
Owning a horse is a big responsibility. Many factors contribute to making sound decisions when selecting a horse for a specific use. Topics covered in this course include: Uses, Breeds, Identification, Unsoundness and Blemishes, Conformation Evaluation, Preparing to Purchase a Horse, and Horse Ownership.
Five free self-paced online courses are also available:
Biosecurity for Horses,
Purchasing and Owning a Horse 101,
Trail Riding 101
Horse Industry Labor Force
Horse Sense: Equine Youth Safety
All the courses are appropriate for middle and high school age students with Nutrition probably being the most advanced.
Courses suitable for younger ages include Horse Selection and Ownership 101, Trail Riding 101 and the Youth Safety Course. These are listed in the Free Courses section.