Dear prospective Student,

Thank you very much for enquiring about the Advanced Animal Behaviour and Management Course: Horses.

Dr Frederique Hurly, a veterinary behaviourist , and Dr Hannes Slabbert, a veterinary ethologist, present this certificate course.

The Basic Animal Behaviour Course: Horses is essentially done through correspondence with the optional attendance of a two-day seminar. Most of the students who enrol for this course work full-time and the course is therefore designed to be done on a part-time basis. Being a private company EthologyAcademy is very flexible. As long as students communicate with us we are usually able to accommodate them in various ways should personal circumstances develop during the year making it difficult for them to continue with their studies and complete the course successfully.

Most of the students who enrol for this course work full-time and the course is therefore designed to be done on a part-time basis. Being a private company Ethology Academy is very flexible - as long as students communicate with us we are usually able to accommodate them in various ways.

The content of the Advance Behaviour course: Horses is divided into four modules: The modules include the following:
Module One: Training methods, temperament assessment and handling techniques.
  • Introduction
  • Training methods
  • Temperament assessment test
  • Welfare of horses
  • Social behaviour (groups, relationships, factors influencing rank, social spaces and communication)
Module two: Analysis of case studies of equine behavioural problems
Module three: Behavioural practice management
  • Human-animal interaction in practice
  • Professionalism and ethics in practice
  • Research practice
  • Communications skills
Module four: Housing and socialisation:
  • Breeding programmes
  • Evaluation of stables
  • Foal socialisation

It is essential to study the content of the prescribed book and the study material before attending the seminar / workshop. There is an evaluation during the seminar, and the mark will count towards the final mark. During the practical students will do identification of horses, ageing, tack (including basics of saddle fitting), conformation, horse nutrition, stable yard evaluation, and the clinical examination of the horse. The seminar is scheduled for 5 – 7 July 2017 in Benoni, Gauteng.

How the course is presented
After enrolling, the student receives all the study material via registered mail. The study material consists of the EthologyAcademy study material and ‘The BHS Complete Manual of Stable Management’. Included will also be Student Letter giving detailed information on every aspect of the course. Also included will be the theoretical assignments. The assignments will be marked and returned to the students. Students may submit assignments via the postal service or electronically.The marks obtained for the assignments constitute the year mark, which will give the student entrance to submit their final case study in November.

Registration and Course fee
The course is presented from February to November each year. Registration for this course takes place from 2 January to 28 February 2017. Students may enrol earlier (in 2016) but the study material will only be posted as from the 2nd January 2017 and once proof of payment has been received. The course fee for the Advanced Behaviour Course: Horses for 2017 is R 8 700. The fee includes the study material, the text book, assignments, attendance of the seminar and the evaluation fee. Travel to and accommodation at the seminar is not included in the course fee.

Final evaluation
The final mark consists of two components.
  • On the last day of the seminar the student’s practical knowledge of horses and horse related matters will be assessed by means of a written as well as an oral/practical examination. The assessments during the seminar will contribute 30% of the final mark.
  • A final case study submitted by the student during November will contribute 70% of the final mark
To pass the final evaluation requires a fair amount of studying, research, insight and previous horse related experience. Students are therefore advised to start their preparation well in advance for the seminar and the final case study.

How to enrol for this course:
Go to the website www.ethology.co.za
  • Click on ‘Enrol’
  • Read ‘Terms of Agreement’
  • Complete and submit the enrolment form and financial agreement form if only the registration fee is paid when enrolling.
  • Pay the appropriate fee
  • Provide Dr Frederique Hurly admin@ethology.co.za with confirmation of payment

Do not hesitate to get in touch should you need more information.

Best regards
Dr Frederique Hurly
BVSc, MPhil, MANZCVS
(Veterinary behaviour)
Course administrator, Ethology Academy