Horse Ownership Foundations

Horse Ownership Foundations is a free beginner horse ownership course designed for new horse owners, future horse owners, leasers, foster caregivers, and anyone preparing to take on the daily responsibility of caring for a horse. Owning a horse is rewarding, but it also comes with serious responsibility. Horses are large, sensitive, intelligent animals with physical, behavioral, nutritional, and environmental needs that must be understood before problems arise. This course gives you a practical foundation in the early knowledge every responsible horse owner should have. The goal of this certification is not simply to help you earn a certificate. The goal is to help you understand what normal looks like, so you can more confidently recognize when something is not normal. Many horse health problems begin subtly. A small change in appetite, attitude, manure, movement, weight, posture, breathing, temperature, or behavior can be the first sign that a horse needs help. In this course, you will study the Horse Ownership Foundations manual and complete an 80-question open-book exam. The longer exam is intentional. It gives you time to slow down, review the material, and build a stronger understanding of the responsibilities involved in caring for a horse. This course covers essential beginner horse care topics, including emergency planning, equine vital signs, normal horse behavior, early signs of illness, feeding and watering basics, body condition score, early lameness detection, stabling, husbandry, and a month-to-month guide to the first year of horse ownership. You will also learn when to involve a veterinarian, farrier, trainer, or another qualified equine professional. This course does not replace hands-on experience or professional care, but it helps you communicate more clearly with the people involved in your horse’s health and management. Horse Ownership Foundations is especially useful if you are preparing to buy your first horse, helping care for someone