As Programme Manager my role is to oversee the running of the Programme and ensure that you are in the best position possible to succeed within your postgraduate programme of study. In addition to being your Programme Manager I will also be your Academic Tutor during your course and will often be your first port of call for queries and questions relating to your programme, whether that be regarding your module choices, your mode of study, academic regulations or even for advice on balancing your studies and your work or personal commitments.

I have been lecturing at Hartpury College since 2004 and was appointed Senior Lecturer in 2007. As part of my role as Senior Lecturer I hold the thematic role of Postgraduate Provision Manager which involves my overseeing the recruitment, delivery and support of the postgraduate provision across the College.

My teaching areas are predominantly within equine functional anatomy, exercise physiology and sports medicine. I have also been actively involved in teaching the areas of neonatal medicine, performance horse management and equestrian sport analysis as well as supervising dissertations at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

My research interests include investigating the links between equine conformation, injury and career longevity, anatomical symmetry and its relationship with performance, and the relationship between laterality and asymmetry and I am currently collating work towards a DPhil interlinking these subject areas.

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE… PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING!

Having the right Kit:

Modules within the PG Certificate Equine Behaviour and Welfare will at times require you to work in the laboratory and on the equine yard. As such it is advisable to bring foot wear appropriate for these teaching area to the weekend teaching sessions. If you have a laboratory coat you may wish to bring this also however laboratory coats are available for you to borrow within each of the College’s laboratories.

Postgraduate Certificate in Equine Behaviour & Welfare

Kirsty Leśniak

Kirsty.lesniak@hartpury.ac.uk

PROGRAMME NAME:

PROGRAMME MANAGER NAME:

HAVE A QUESTION? DROP ME AN EMAIL

Reading for your degree

As postgraduate students there will be a level of assumed knowledge of some of the subject areas covered. Therefore you are expected to read around prior to each of the weekends of study to ensure you are fully briefed before the module commences. One of the key area in which you may find it useful to ‘refresh’ yourself on is equine anatomy and physiology which feed in to most of the modules within the programme. Some texts which you may find beneficial are:

• Back, W. and Clayton, H. (Current Edition) Equine locomotion. London: W.B. Saunders. • Clayton, H.M. (Current Edition) Conditioning sport horses. Saskatoon, Canada: Sport Horse Publications. • Frandson, R. D., Wilke, W. L. & Fails, A. D. (Current Edition). Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, John

Wiley and Sons • Hinchcliff, K.W., Kaneps, A.J. and Geor, R.J. (Current Edition) Equine exercise physiology: the science of

exercise in the athletic horse. Edinburgh. Elsevier Saunders. • Hodgson, D.R. and Rose, R.J., ed. (Current Edition) The athletic horse: Principles and practices of equine sports

medicine. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders. • Marlin, D. and Nankervis, K. (Current Edition) Equine exercise physiology. Oxford: Blackwell Science.

The University Learning Centre liaises closely with staff and has several loan, and at least one reference copy, of core texts available for each module. You may therefore wish to start off using the books from the loan collection and decide to purchase those texts that are of use across a number of modules. If you decide to purchase text books, you will find a list of all recommended texts here: www.booksyouneed.co.uk/collegegroup/1-University-of-the-West-of-England/ Select Hartpury and then Equine - Postgraduate, and a full list of recommended texts will be shown.

ACCOMMODATION

In the areas surrounding Hartpury College there is a wide range of accommodation including B&B’s and hotels. If you would like more information on some of the accommodation available, please email accommodation@hartpury.ac.uk as there are too many to list here!

BUDGET FOR THOSE EXTRAS

Within the PG Certificate Equine Behaviour & Welfare, we do not foresee any additional costs on top of those already make obvious such as the course fees.

COME AND SEE US

If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit the College, but would like to do so before your arrival in September, please email admissions@hartpury.ac.uk to arrange a personal visit

ARRIVING AT HARTPURY: INDUCTION & ENROLLMENT

Postgraduate students, both new and returning, will be required to attend on Thursday the 14th September for a full day of induction sessions and programme enrolment. During this day, you will receive supportive and informative sessions concerning the level, subject and programme of study as well as support in terms of module choices where applicable, study mode, assessment guidance and academic facilities and services available to you as MSc Equine Science students.

We will be meeting on the Thursday morning at the Main House, follow the signs for Hartpury House on your arrival. We would ask you to arrive for 9am for a meet and greet and then the main enrolment and induction programme will start from 9.15. We anticipate the day to finish by 5.00pm.

AND THEN THE WORK STARTS….

Modules for this programme are delivered over weekend bulk delivery. The weekends will be composed of combinations of lectures, seminars, practical sessions, trips and visits.

The following timetable outlines the dates scheduled for each of the module weekends, as well as proposed coursework dates and the assessment periods to help you plan ahead. Please note, at this stage the dates are still subject to change; particularly the coursework submission dates.

Semester One (2017)

Thursday 14th September Induction and Enrollment`

Friday 22nd September Investigating Equestrian Research Module Launch (9am-11am)

PG Independent Study: Module launch (11am-1pm)

Sat 23rd & Sun 24th Sept The Research Process Part 1: Introduction Including methodology and overview of methods

Friday 6th to Sun 8th Oct Equine Behaviour & Welfare: Part 1 (Compulsory module)

Sat 21st to Mon 23rd October Equine Behaviour & Welfare: Part 2 (Compulsory module)

Monday 13th November The Research Process Assignment Deadline

Fri 17th to Sun 19th November Therapy & Rehabilitation of the Equine Athlete

Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd December The Research Process Part 2: Specific methods and revision

Monday 27th November PG Independent Study Assignment Deadline

Monday 11th December Equine Behaviour & Welfare Assignment Deadline

Assessment Period 1 (Jan 2017)

Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th January

Equine Behaviour & Welfare Oral Examination

Therapy & Rehabilitation of the Equine Athlete Written Examination

The Research Process Proposal Oral Presentation

Semester Two (2018)

Fri 26th to Sun 28th Jan Applied Equine Exercise Physiology: Part 1

Fri 9th to Sun 11th Feb Applied Equine Exercise Physiology: Part 2

Fri 23rd to 25th Feb Rider Performance

Monday 12th March Applied Equine Exercise Physiology Assignment Deadline

Monday 23rd April Rider Performance Assignment Deadline

Assessment Period 2 (2018)

Monday 30th April to Friday 11th May

Applied Equine Exercise Physiology Examination

Rider Performance Examination

DREAMS START HERE….

The PG Certificate Equine Behaviour & Welfare is composed of the core module, Equine Behaviour and Welfare, and a range of optional modules; each being worth 15 credits. You will be supported in making the decision as to which optional modules to choose by me during the induction day however you are welcome to get in touch beforehand if you have any further questions. For the PG Certificate Equine Behaviour & Welfare you need to complete a total of 60 credits.

Equine Behaviour and Welfare (30 credits) This is a compulsory module on this programme. This module introduces you to natural and domestic behavioural patterns, enabling you to develop an appreciation of the ontogeny of stereotypic behaviours. The module will cover learning theory in relation to training, injury and disease, and the physiology of stress and pain in relation to equine welfare and optimising the environment of the domestic horse. There will be a number of opportunities to discuss current and contentious welfare topics, and put theory into practice utilising College facilities. Module assessment requires you to undertake a pilot research study investigating an area of your choice in the field of equine behaviour and welfare, and an end of module written exam.

The Research Process (15 credits) This module unpicks the research process and explores the process of developing a research idea from conception to conclusion. Students are introduced to critical skills and reviewing the current literature to underpin this journey. This module is designed and structures to support students during conception, implementation and completion of their masters level thesis.

Applied Equine Exercise Physiology (30 credits) This module allows students to explore the fundamentals of equine exercise physiology in the context of different equestrian disciplines. There is a strong emphasis on the application of these concepts, with students undertaking practical sessions to demonstrate their application to training.

Investigating Equestrian Research (15 credits) This module offers students the opportunity to be exposed to emerging research at a variety of levels and across a range of subject areas. It is anticipated that this module will be scheduled for three days over the academic year, which will include attendance at the Alltech-Hartpury Conference, attendance at the departmental research seminars and exposure to a range of researchers, both internal and external to Hartpury. Students will learn to critique research methodologies, evaluate industry relevance and identify gaps within current understanding.

Therapy and Rehabilitation of the Equine Athlete (15 credits) This module explores the difference between therapy and rehabilitation, and what options are available to the modern horse owner. Students learn via lectures and utilising case studies from the Equine Therapy Centre to build their own skills to begin to formulate a relevant therapeutic protocol for the injured equine athlete. Rider Performance (15 credits) This module considers the dyadic (horse and rider) and triadic (horse, rider and coach) relationships within equestrian sport and how these influence performance. Assessment of the rider as an individual to maximise their performance potential is a key component of delivery with reference to proven strategies utilised in other sporting areas often applied to the rider model.

Postgraduate Independent Study (15 credits) This module involves students formulating a detailed and evaluative critical review of literature within a specified topic and tailored to a defined research question or theory. Submission of the title of their review is will be required for approval prior to their commencement of the critique of the literature. Students are actively encouraged to choose a topic which they have either not investigated before, or have not covered in detail within a modules, or intent to do for their dissertation. However, this module supports students in the production of a critical literature review and is therefore considered beneficial in light of the dissertation module.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR PG CERTIFICATE…

Throughout the year you will be offered the opportunity to engage in additional courses, gaining experience and qualifications specific to your interests and career aspirations. During each semester the College runs an enrichment programme within which both in-house, and external courses and opportunities are made available to the students. For most of these a cost is associated though where at all possible this is kept to a minimum. Details on the courses available as part of the enrichment programme will be announced nearer to the start of each semester.

PLACEMENTS

The PG Certificate Equine Behaviour & Welfare does not involve any required work placement periods however, you are encouraged to consider gaining work experience either through paid or voluntary work alongside the PG programme to build a strong portfolio that will support you in your career.

CAR PARKING You will need to purchase a car parking permit to allow you to park in the equine car park at Hartpury College. As a post graduate student the cost of the pass is £5. This can be purchased during induction (the discounted rate is not available via the on line shop). If you can’t attend induction you need to liaise directly with the transport office, either in person, by phone or email to arrange the car pass. If you do not get a car pass you may get a sticker on your window which is difficult to remove!

TOP TIPS FROM A CURRENT POSTGRADUATE STUDENT

You will be provided with feedback from assignments and exams; make use of this to help you improve, particularly the first assignment and exam so you are aware of the level of work required and where you can improve for the rest of the year. Also make use of tutorials to help you with your work. Don’t trip up on formatting and referencing; use the guidelines provided to prevent making avoidable errors! Carefully plan study & dissertation time in around lectures, work & social life; don’t underestimate the work required Don’t revise alone! Use friendship groups to study for exams.