PHED120 Horsemanship

Department of Health, Physical Education & Nursing: Physical Education

  1. Course Number and Title

    PHED120 Horsemanship

  2. Number of Credits

    2 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250 minutes

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    This course is for beginners or non-riders of Hunt Seat Equitation. The basic fundamentals of English riding techniques are taught. The course includes ring riding, trail riding, horsemanship, theory of horses, tack, and stable care. Basic principles of exercise physiology and nutrition will be presented as they apply to the individual rider.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. The student will learn valid concepts of exercise physiology and how to apply these concepts to improve his/her riding performance and safety.
      2. The student will learn valid concepts of nutrition and how to apply them to his own diet.
      3. The student with little or no knowledge of the equine environment will learn basic techniques of balance, control and safety skills while being in contact and mounted on a horse.
      4. The student will learn about the horse, and the care of the stable and tack.
      5. Ring and trail riding will be provided to help the student learn various aspects of the activity.
      6. The student will learn to recognize and adjust to the different temperaments of horses.

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. Basic Physiology of Exercise
        1. Principles of warm-up, stretching, and cool down
        2. Basic anatomy of muscles and joints
          1. Fiber type
          2. Ligament
          3. Tendon
        3. Muscular Contractions: isotonic, isometric, and isokinetic
        4. Muscular Metabolism
          1. Anaerobic
          2. Aerobic
      2. Applied Physiology of Exercise
        1. Principles of an exercise prescription
          1. Frequency, Intensity, Duration
          2. Overload, Progressive Resistance, Specificity, Recovery
        2. Physiological effects of regular anaerobic exercise
        3. Physiological effects of regular aerobic exercise
        4. Cross-training and how a variety of activities contribute to cardiovascular and total fitness
      3. The Role of Diet and Nutrition - What is a quality diet?
        1. Weight management and body composition
        2. Cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis
        3. Heat balance, fluid, and electrolyte consumption
        4. Role of nutrition in energy metabolism
        5. Relationship among stress, diet, and exercise
      4. Concepts of recuperation, positive adaptation, and de-conditioning
        1. Immediate and correct care of athletic injuries
        2. Evaluation of fitness progress and self-testing
      5. Theory
        1. Parts of the horse
        2. Marking
        3. Colors
        4. Tacking
        5. Untacking
        6. Parts of tack
        7. Care
        8. Tack assembly
        9. Breeds
        10. Grooming
        11. Hoof care
        12. Stable and facilities
        13. Bedding
        14. Illness
        15. Lameness
        16. Fox hunting, horse shows, and other equine related activities
      6. Skill
        1. Grooming
        2. Leading
        3. Tacking and untacking
        4. Mounting, dismounting, and individual adjustments
        5. Natural and artificial aids
        6. Basic position
        7. Gaits of walk, trot, sitting trot, and canter
        8. Safety rules and procedures
        9. Trail riding and ring riding

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      Department selected textbook or handouts provided. Details about policies will be provided in the form of a course format created by each instructor.

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    The class period is divided between lectures and physical participation by Students. Some portions of the lectures are student presentations.

Review/Approval Date - 5/99