The horse's ability to move freely is important both to our enjoyment of them and their own enjoyment of life. It is a rare horse that doesn't experience difficulty with some sort of lameness, regardless of their age or use. Understanding how normal structures function and the things that can cause problems will help you effectively minimize the risk of lameness. If a problem does develop, a good working knowledge of what is actually going on inside your horse as well as your treatment options will minimize down time and get you the best outcome possible. This course will cover joint, tendon and ligament problems in horses. We'll look at causes ranging from genetic to traumatic. You will learn how and when to use simple but highly effective therapies like cold, heat and massage. We will also cover therapeutic options ranging from oral joint nutraceuticals to the emerging therapies with IRAP, platelet rich plasma and stem cells. The course will run for 10 weeks and will have help online using the Yahoo group resources. The class materials will be placed into the files section of the group once a week. You can download and read these at your convenience. A quiz is provided at the end of each week's material for you to review your understanding of the material. There will be no formal tests except for a final exam for those taking the course for credit. Questions or points for discussion can be placed in the messages section of the group at any time.
