Learning objectives
The student have to acquire knowledge and skills regarding the ethological and physiological needs of horses, with a focus on the size and environmental conditions of the structures designed for their housing or use in work and/or sports activities.
Understand the structural characteristics of breeding facilities and equestrian installations.
Be capable of assisting designers in compiling a project for a facility dedicated to the housing or use of horses, paying particular attention to the fundamental aspect of biosecurity.
Know the regulations concerning safety in breeding facilities, equestrian events, and the transportation of live animals (Reg. CE 1/2005).
Course unit content
Construction Section
Breeding environment, technologies of breeding structures, installations, and facilities based on production objectives: stables, horse barns, bedding, enclosures, round pens, tracks, training fields, and cross-country circuits.
Design of a horse barn: location of stalls, capacity and volume; shape and type, exposure, orientation, and lighting. Construction materials, floors, and ceilings of shelters.
Construction and organization of a temporary stable or equestrian competition facility.
Bedding: types and characteristics, disinfection and pest control.
Shelter accessories: racks, feeders, and water troughs; kickboards, self-cleaning systems; washing and drying areas.
Annexes to shelters: forage and feed storage. Manure pits and waste disposal issues. Enclosures, paddocks. Horse walkers.
Work fields: characteristics, dimensions, and surfaces. Riding arenas, dressage arenas, sand and grass competition fields, jumping arenas, cross-country fields, training tracks, race tracks: trot, gallop, steeplechase.
Safety section in equine breeding
Current regulations on workplace safety and the roles established by Legislative Decree 81/08.
The different professional figures within equestrian facilities.
The equipment in use and risky procedures within equestrian structures.
The significance and drafting of the risk assessment document for an equestrian center.
Safety regulations regarding the transport of live animals (Reg. CE 01/2005).
Biosecurity: biosecurity in breeding, stables, and during transport.
Bibliography
Cavalli, scuderie, allevamenti; come gestirli in sicurezza
ANTONIO CHECCHI, SERENELLA CASAZZA FABIANO, LUCIA DEVENUTO
TECNICA & PRATICA - EDAGRICOLE
Lecture notes and PowerPoint presentations from the course.
Teaching methods
Lectures and site visits to breeding facilities and equestrian structures.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam with questions designed to assess the knowledge and skills acquired during the course lessons.
