Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Horse Production Practices (Face-to-Face)

AGSC 2630-01

Course: AGSC 2630-01
Credits: 2
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ASNS
CRN: 10037

Course Description

Students will gain exposure to various techniques and practices related to the selection, feeding, handling, and management of horses. Practices related to care of using and breeding horses will be emphasized. One 3-hour lab session required per week. Field trips are required. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

Horses: A Guide to Selection, Care, and Enjoyment, Third Edition, by J. Warren Evans, W.H. Freeman and Co., 2001, ISBN 978-0805072518. 

 The same text is used in AGSC 3350, Horse Science and Industry.  Bring your book to class each week. 

Learning Outcomes

A course designed to provide exposure to various techniques and theories related to the selection, care, and handling of horses.  Practices related to the breeding farm and care of “using” horses will be emphasized.  Field trips are required.
Students successfully completing this course will gain knowledge and experience in principles of horse handling, equine behavior, and horse ownership including:

o   Evaluation of horse conformation and faults

o   Horse feeds and feeding

o   Health and first aid, including measuring vital signs

o   Equine parasite and disease control

o   Physical facilities

o   Shoeing and hoof care

o   Horse restraint methods

Course Requirements

·         A journal with a summary of each week’s class will be required at the end of the semester.  Keep it up to date, as I may ask to see it at any time.  The journal makes up a considerable portion of your grade and you may use it on the final exam, so do a good job.  Describe what was discussed and what we worked on during each class period, what you learned, your thoughts on the week’s class experience, etc.  Make the journal an evaluation of each class period.  You may do a summary of each class, and then supplement it with your notes and/or handouts if you wish, but don’t just hand in your class notes as the journal.  If it is not typed, it must be neatly written and organized.  

o   When grading the journal, I will look at the following things:

Percent of Grade

Completeness                                       30

What we talked about                        10

What we did                                         10

What you learned                                15

What you thought                               15

Neatness & organization                    20 

                                                Total:   100

 

·         Quizzes may be given periodically and a final exam will be given at the end of the semester.  The final will be open book; however you may not share or use someone else’s book on the final.  

·         This course will consist of lectures and demonstrations, guest lecturers, and handling of the horses.  Much of the class will be held outdoors, so dress accordingly.  Class will be held each week at the discretion of the instructor.  If conditions are deemed unsafe for class members or the horses, class may be canceled or moved.

·         Class participation is highly encouraged and makes up a considerable portion of your grade. Regular class attendance is expected.  Please be on time and non-disruptive.  You are expected to read assigned chapters and be familiar with material covered in class.  Students are responsible for all material discussed in class, whether in attendance or not.  It is your responsibility to obtain notes from missed classes from someone other than the instructor.  

·         Class assignments should be handed in at the beginning of the class period on specified due dates.  Assignments not completed at the beginning of class may be penalized.  For each day an assignment is late the grade may be lowered by 50%. Some classes will be held at farms or clinics away from the Valley Farm.  Travel may be required.  On those days, we will meet at the farm and travel from there.

·         Class information including the syllabus, handouts, slides, assignments, etc. will be available on Canvas.  Please use my email or phone instead of Canvas to contact me.

·         Please turn cell phones off during class time.

Course Outline


PROJECTED COURSE TOPICS



Equine Behavior/Training

Restraints

Feeds and Feeding

Reproduction

Basic First Aid

Basic Equine Health

Parasites and Worming

Conformation

Hoof and Foot Care

Equipment and Facilities

Age, Height, and Weight

Trailering

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

 Class assignments should be handed in at the beginning of the class period on specified due dates.  Assignments not completed at the beginning of class may be penalized.  For each day an assignment is late the grade may be lowered by 50%. Some classes will be held at farms or clinics away from the Valley Farm.  Travel may be required.  On those days, we will meet at the farm and travel from there.

Attendance Policy

 This is a lab/demonstration course designed to provide experience and exposure to horses and horse production practices.  Attendance is essential to success in the class and will be a major component in grading.  Each absence, regardless of the reason, will result in a loss of points.  The first absence will result in a loss of 25 points, the second absence another 50 points, the third absence another 75 points, and every absence thereafter will result in a deduction of 100 points. Points will be deducted from the total points possible, not just attendance points. Showing up late or leaving early will result in a deduction of points.
Attendance policy will be provided by the instructor.

Course Fees

Course fees information will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.