How would you go about....?

Question

i want to learn more about equine conformation, is there a class you can take. i'm a nursing student, so i do have human a/p class...is there such thing as an equine a/p class that someone can take as an elective? how is an easy way to look for a class like this? also, do you think a vet would be willing to let someone work for them in exchange for learn about horses by going out on vet calls with them(and helping)?

Answer 1

A basic equine health course can teach you about horse conformation and how the body works incorrectly with flaws.

I don't see why any vet wouldn't mind having extra hands as long as you do not get in the way. That is what a vet is there for, to keep the public informed on proper pet care.

Also, an equine appraiser could give you a walk through on equine conformation.

But to indulge you in a fast study, I'll post a couple links on equine conformation.

http://petcaretips.net/equine_conformati...

http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health...

This is a hands on book with photos of conformationally correct equines and also ones with flaws. This is probably the best book to get if you are interested in conformation. I recommend to anyone who is also looking into buying horses.

http://www.equine-research-inc.com/con_a...

Answer 2

Are there any vet tech programs nearby?  The problem you may have is that if you aren't enrolled in the vet program, they may not allow you in the class since space is reserved for the students required to take it.  I am a retired college instructor, and I often bent the rules and allowed an extra student in (over my required capacity) if the student approached me with a compelling reason to get into my class.

In some cases, I would allow them to audit the class, which meant they could participate in everything but would receive no grade or credits.  I usually allowed them to sit for exams, even though the grade wasn't recorded...they wanted to see how they would do.

As for assisting a vet, mine does it, but some don't.  If one says no, find another one, and so on.

Answer 3

http://www.geocities.com/redsarena/

http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/an_sci/extensio...

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/he...

http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-Good-E...

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/AnimalSciences/equ...

Some links offering classes...I'd check with them to see if they're allowing online courses...

I've spent a lot of years looking at horses and I've been coached by the best...those horseman/judges who were at the top of their game in judging halter horses.  

It was hard at first....I'd pick out a horse and my first coach would say, "NO"!, or, "What?? Are you Kidding"?...

"try again...tell me what is wrong with that horse".  So after much observation, listening and studying conformation I finally began to get the hang of great conformation and I grew a very thick skin.....give yourself every opportunity to observe halter classes of various breeds and have some one around that knows conformation who can explain to you what your mistakes are.  Makes learning easier and you'll rapidly improve because you're learning very quickly as you have immediate feedback.

  It also helped to talk about the various hoof and leg problems...what to watch out for.   I do better with hands on...however, a lot of people can pick up a bit of it just by looking at photos...nothing wrong with that, I've done that to.

One of the above links is designed for yourth...however I thought it was good enough to include here.

Answer 4

Vets frequently let people ride along with them to learn and help out holding horses and so on.  Usually they're hoping to be vets or techs, but it's certainly worth asking a few!  It's one of the prerequisites for getting into vet school, so they're used to being asked.

That said, judging conformation is not a skill most equine vets get into.  

There are classes for horse judges, which would probably be the best.  THey'll use live horses as well as pictures.  I got into this through the 4H Horse Judging team in my county as a kid...  that's a great option for the young.