Equine Exercise Physiology course
A credit-bearing short course in equine exercise physiology from within the MSc Equine Science portfolio. The degree programme has been running for over 15 years and has an established international reputation for excellence.
Equine Exercise Physiology
This course covers anatomy and physiology of the major implicated systems and their adaptation to exercise in the horse, the application of this knowledge to cases of poor performance and evaluation of training regimes across a range of equestrian disciplines.
- 20 SCQF / 10 ECTS credits
- Course Leader: Dr Victoria Lindsay-McGee
- April start
This course provides students with a detailed understanding of equine exercise physiology and the adaptations that occur in response to athletic function. There is a focus on applying this knowledge to assessing the sustainability of various training regimes for all classes of the equine athlete and methods of assessing and monitoring performance, and potential performance, in the horse. Consideration is also given to the health and impact of ill-health on the performance horse and the evaluation of current research in this area of equine science.
The course is fully online and delivered in a flexible, but structured, format which provides students with the opportunity to network, enhance skills and prepare to apply knowledge and understanding to real-life scenarios which can enhance existing professional or amateur equine practice.
For full details of this course, including learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study page.
The aim of the course is not to teach you the ultimate training regime for a particular discipline, but rather to give you scientific background into physiology, biomechanics and different aspects of training programmes so you can critically review, adapt and apply your understanding to different aspects of training a horse.
Vets, scientists, equine sports and competition professionals, and equestrian athletes and trainers worldwide could benefit from studying this course led by Dr Victoria Lindsay-McGee - an expert in muscle disease and genetics in performance horses.
A major strength of this course is the range of experts who support the delivery. Content is delivered by specialist vets from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies such as Professors John Keen and Scott Pirie, experts in cardiology and equine clinical sciences respectively. Scott is also an authority in respiratory disease. Among the external staff experts who teach on the course we have Professor Brian Nielson of Michigan State University and Doctors Jenni Douglas and Kate Wilkinson from Hartpury University.
A good UK university Honours Degree (first or 2:1), or its international equivalent (e.g. 3.25 GPA score in the USA), with a biological background, for example a degree in:
- Veterinary science
- Biological sciences
- Zoology
- Animal/Equine Science
- Pharmacology/Pharmacy
We may also consider your application if you have a science degree that is below a 2.1 qualification, or you are an experienced veterinary nurse or farrier, or a degree in a non-science subject, and you hold Level 2 or above British Horse Society qualifications and/or have a minimum of 3 years’ demonstrable experience working with or caring for horses. You may be admitted to Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma level only in the first instance. Please contact the Equine Science Programme team before applying.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we will also need to see evidence of your English language proficiency before we can offer you a place.
Applications must be made through the University's online postgraduate prospectus by following the link to apply to PG Professional Development in Equine Science (Online Learning)(ICL) - 1-2 years (Part-time Intermittent Study).
Once you have started your application to the degree within which the course sits, you will be asked to specify the course you are applying to.
If you have any questions or concerns throughout the application process, please contact equine.science@ed.ac.uk.