Syllabus - Department of Animal Sciences - University of Florida

Relationship of Form to Function in Horses
ANS 3079/4231 Course Syllabus
Spring 2012
Department of Animal Sciences
University of Florida
Instructor
Dr. Lori K. Warren
Office: Animal Sciences – Bldg 459
Suite 210, Office 210F
(352) 392-1957
Email: LKWarren@ufl.edu
TA: Katherine (Katie) Profeta
Email: kprofeta@ufl.edu
Office hours: ♦ By appointment ♦
Please call or email to schedule an appt.
CONTENTS
General Course Info p. 1
Course Activities p. 2–3
Course Policies p. 2–3
UF Policies & Services p. 4
Course Schedule p. 5
IMPORTANT DATES
EXAMS:
♦February 16
♦March 27
♦May 4
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS:
♦February 7
♦April 19
Course Description & Objectives
This is a 2-credit lecture (ANS3079) with
1-credit laboratory (ANS4231, sec. 1A01)
course focused on the principles of
conformation and performance evaluation
in horses, and the biomechanical
& physiological relationship of form to
function. During this course, you will:
1) Gain an appreciation for the unique
design of the horse as an athlete;
2) Learn to evaluate conformation for
correctness and faults and relate it to
the biomechanics of movement;
Time & Location
Lecture:
Prerequisite
Tuesdays & Thursdays
5 th period ♦ 11:45AM –12:35PM
Location: ANS Rm 151
Recommended Textbooks
3) Develop a functional understanding
of equine anatomy at the cellular,
tissue and systems levels;
4) Investigate the muscular, skeletal,
cardiovascular, respiratory, thermoregulatory,
and support systems in
horses and the response of these
systems to exercise and training;
5) Learn to evaluate physical fitness
and design conditioning programs
specific to the athletic event for
which a horse was selected.
1) The Horse Conformation Handbook ♦ by H. Smith-Thomas ♦ Storey Publishing
2) Horse Gaits, Balance & Movement ♦ by S.E. Harris ♦ Howell Book House
3) Equine Exercise Physiology ♦ D. Marlin & K. Nankervis ♦ Blackwell Publishing
4) Equine Exercise Physiology – The Science of Exercise in the Athletic Horse ♦
K.W. Hinchcliff, R.J. Geor & A.J. Kaneps (editors) ♦ Saunders Elsevier
Course Website on E-Learning
♦ https://lss.at.ufl.edu/
♦ Click on orange “E-Learning Login”
button and login with Gatorlink ID &
password
♦ Access ANS3079
Lab:
Thursdays
8–9 th periods ♦ 3:00 – 4:55PM
Location: Variable
♦ ANS3043 Growth & Development – or – permission of instructor
E-Learning will contain:
Announcements
Course notes
Readings, Videos, and Links
Assignments
Your Grades

Page 2 of 5 Form to Function Spring 2012
Lab Activities
Course
Notes
♦ Posted on E-Learning under
the “LESSONS” link
♦ Fill-in-the-blank style with
some figures
♦ Designed to assist you with
note-taking in class
♦ Print BEFORE coming to
lecture or lab
Policy on LATE Assignments
It is expected that ALL
assignments will be
submitted on time during
the normal class period.
Without a valid absence (see
pg 3), any assignment
turned in late will receive the
following penalty:
0.1 – 24 hrs late = -20%
>24 – 48 hrs late = -35%
>48 hrs late = NOT
accepted
Weekly lab activities will be held on
Thursdays 8–9 th periods. Each activity is
designed to supplement and enhance your
understanding of lecture material.
Labs will consist of live animal evaluation,
dissection and study of harvested tissues,
DVD/video discussions, guest speakers,
and other activities. Some labs will have
assignments associated with them.
Labs will be held in ANS Rm 155, the Horse
Teaching Unit, or other announced location.
Major Assignments
You will be completing two (2) primary
assignments this semester. A summary of
each assignment is provided here.
Additional detail will be provided when
each problem is assigned.
1) “Relationship of Form to Function”
DUE: February 7
The purpose of this assignment is to
reinforce the concept “form follows
function.” From a list, you will select a pair
of competitions/activities horses are used
for (eg, team roping vs. saddle seat). You
will be asked to compare and contrast the
type of horse that would be most
successful in each sport or in the “job” the
horse does. To do this, you will have to
research what is expected of the horse for
the activity. For example, what is the horse
judged on, or what is the functional role of
the horse in that activity? What gaits are
needed? What breed, conformation,
attitude, and athleticism are desired? What
injuries are common in that discipline as a
result of poor conformation?
Other Homework Assignments
In addition to the primary assignments
described above, there will also be some
smaller homework problems assigned
throughout the semester. Some of these
assignments will be associated with lab
activities, whereas others include case
studies and critical evaluation of articles.
Appropriate Dress is REQUIRED
♦ Unsafe footwear (flip-flops, opentoed
shoes) will NOT be allowed.
♦ Boots or leather shoes are preferred,
but athletic shoes will suffice.
♦ Labs may be messy (tissue fluids,
blood, paint, horse slobber); Avoid
wearing clothes that you don’t want
damaged.
2) “The Athletic Horse”
DUE: April 19
Select and attend two (2) different equine
competitive events. Evaluate the athletic
demands of each activity and investigate
how the horse should be prepared for each
type of competition. A running calendar of
events will be listed on E-Learning. Some
events taking place this spring include:
♦ Jan 18–Mar 18: HITS–Horseshows in the
Sun (Ocala) – www.hitsshows.com
♦ Feb 23-26: Little Everglades International
Combined Driving (Dade City) –
www.littleevergladessteeplechase.org
♦ Mar 13-14: Ocala Breeders 2-yr-old in
Training Sales – www.obssales.com
♦ Mar 22-25: Live Oak International
Driving Event (Ocala) –
www.liveoakinternational.com
♦ Mar 24: Ropin’ in the Swamp (UF/HTU)
♦ Canterbury Showplace (Newberry) –
horseshows held almost every week –
www.canterburyshowplace.com
Instructions and due dates for each
assignment will be provided in class and
posted under the ‘ASSIGNMENTS’ link in
E-Learning.
The policy on late assignments (see box
at left) also applies to these smaller
homework assignments.

Page 3 of 5 Form to Function Spring 2012
Exams & Quizzes
EXAMS:
There will be 3 exams, each covering
approximately 1/3 of the material.
Exam format will be a mixture of:
♦ Multiple-choice
♦ True/False
♦ Matching
♦ Short Answer
♦ Essay
Extra Credit – “Couch to 5K”
Want to know what the horse feels when
getting trained and conditioned for
competition? Try it yourself!
Complete the Couch-to-5K® plan this
semester and earn 20 points extra credit
applied to your exam grade!
Couch-to-5K is a interval training program
that will take you from “couch potato” to
5K runner (3.2 miles) in 9 weeks.
Go to www.C25K.com to view the
program and download podcasts.
WEEKLY QUIZZES:
Short quizzes will be given on Thursdays
at the beginning of each lab.
Anything said in class, even if not in the
notes, can appear on exams & quizzes.
♦♦♦
Make-up quizzes & exams are NOT
allowed without a valid absence.
To earn the extra credit, you must:
1) Sign a commitment form with Dr. Warren
2) Keep a training journal that documents
your training progress and fitness
assessments.
3) Complete the Form-2-Function 5K race on
April 21 (or provide proof of completion
of another sanctioned race approved by
Dr. Warren) in 30 minutes or less.
*Alternative activities can be substituted
pending approval by Dr. Warren.
Attendance & Make-Up Policy
Regular attendance is expected and active Valid absences include:
participation is necessary for successful
completion of this course. If absent, you
will miss critical announcements regarding
labs, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
If you miss a class, it is YOUR
responsibility to obtain any
information announced in class.
Grading Policy
NOTE: There will be no separate lecture &
lab grades. Whatever grade you earn for
the combined lecture & lab will be assigned
for both ANS 3079 and ANS 4231.
Grade distribution:
Assignments & Quizzes…………… 40 %
3 Exams……………………………. 60 %
Grading Scale:
A = 90 – 100 %
B = 80 – 89.9 %
C = 70 – 79.9 %
D = 60 – 69.9 %
E = less than 60 %
1) Medical emergency (a written & signed
note from a medical doctor is required)
2) Participation in a UF-sanctioned
activity (a letter from the faculty
advisor is required BEFORE the absence)
3) Other emergencies or conflicts must
be cleared through Dr. Warren.
♦ There will be NO grading curve.
♦ COURSE GRADE (%) = [pts earned on
assignments + quizzes / total pts
possible] X 0.40 + [pts earned on
exams / total pts possible] X 0.60
♦ You have one week after the return of
any graded item to resolve questions.
After that, all grades are final.
♦ Retain all graded items until assigned a
final course grade.
♦ UF policies for assigning grade points:
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/
regulations/info/grades.aspx
Cell phones,
Blackberries,
laptops, iPads,
& other electronic devices
should be silenced during
class time. Please avoid
using these items during
lectures or labs as it can
be distracting to others.

Page 4 of 5 Form to Function Spring 2012
Academic Honesty
The Honor Pledge:
We, the members of the
University of Florida
community, pledge to
hold ourselves and our
peers to the highest
standards of honesty
and integrity.
In 1995 the UF student body enacted a new
honor code and voluntarily committed itself
to the highest standards of honesty and
integrity. When students enroll at the
university, they commit themselves to the
standard drafted and enacted by students.
In adopting this honor code, the students of
the University of Florida recognize that
academic honesty and integrity are
fundamental values of the university
community. Students who enroll at the
university commit to holding themselves and
their peers to the high standard of honor
required by the honor code. Any individual
who becomes aware of a violation of the
honor code is bound by honor to take
corrective action. The quality of a University
of Florida education is dependent upon
community acceptance and enforcement of
the honor code.
On all work submitted for credit by students
at the university, the following pledge is
either required or implied: “On my honor, I
have neither given nor received unauthorized
aid in doing this assignment.”
The university requires all members of its
community to be honest in all endeavors.
Campus Helping Resources
A fundamental principle is that the whole
process of learning and pursuit of
knowledge is diminished by cheating,
plagiarism and other acts of academic
dishonesty. In addition, every dishonest act
in the academic environment affects other
students adversely, from the skewing of
the grading curve to giving unfair
advantage for honors or for professional or
graduate school admission. Therefore, the
university will take severe action against
dishonest students. Similarly, measures will
be taken against faculty, staff and
administrators who practice dishonest or
demeaning behavior.
Students should report any condition that
facilitates dishonesty to the instructor,
department chair, college dean or Student
Honor Court.
It is assumed all work will be completed
independently unless the assignment is
defined as a group project, in writing by the
instructor.
This policy will be vigorously upheld at all
times in this course.
SOFTWARE USE
All faculty, staff and
students of the university
are required and
expected to obey the
laws and legal agreements
governing software
use. Failure to do
so can lead to monetary
damages and/or criminal
penalties for the individual
violator. Because
such violations are also
against university
policies and rules,
disciplinary action will
be taken as appropriate.
Students experiencing crises or personal
problems that interfere with their general
well-being are encouraged to utilize the
University’s counseling resources. The
Counseling & Wellness Center provides
confidential counseling services at no cost
for currently enrolled students. Resources
are available on campus for students having
personal problems or lacking clear career
and academic goals which interfere with
their academic performance.
Services for Students with Disabilities
The Disability Resource Center coordinates
the needed accommodations of students
with disabilities. This includes registering
disabilities, recommending academic
accommodations within the classroom,
accessing special adaptive computer
equipment, providing interpretation
♦ University Counseling & Wellness Center
3190 Radio Road ♦ (352) 392-1575
www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/
– Counseling services
– Groups & Workshops
– Outreach & Consultation
– Self-Help Library
– Training Programs
– Community Provider Database
♦ Career Resource Center
First floor JWRU ♦ (352) 392-1601
www.crc.ufl.edu
services, and mediating faculty-student
disability related issues.
Disability Resource Center
0001 Reid Hall ♦ (352) 392-8565
http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/

Page 5 of 5 Form to Function Spring 2012
Course Schedule
DATE LECTURE LAB [& Location]
Tues – 1/10 Course Intro; Amazing Athletes
Thurs – 1/12 Body Parts; Bone – gross anatomy Bone [LAC Equine Auditorium]
Tues – 1/17 Conformation – balance
Thurs – 1/19 Conformation – “ideal” Conformation Evaluation [HTU]
Tues – 1/24 Conformation – functional type
Thurs – 1/26 Quality of Movement; Gaits Type; Gaits [HTU]
Tues – 1/31 Conformation – faults & blemishes
Thurs – 2/2 Bone – develop. orthopedic disease Conformation Evaluation [TBA]
Tues – 2/7 Bone – response to exercise & training
Thurs – 2/9 Tendons and Ligaments Bone/Joint/Support Tissues [TBA]
Tues – 2/14 Joints and Osteoarthritis
Thurs – 2/16 Exam #1 Limb dissections [ANS 155]
Tues – 2/21 Hoof
Thurs – 2/23 Energetics of Exercise Limb dissections [ANS 155]
Tues – 2/28 Muscle – gross anatomy
Thurs – 3/1 Muscle – microanatomy & physiology Muscle anatomy [HTU]
Tues – 3/6 SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
Thurs – 3/8 SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
Tues – 3/13 Muscle – response to exercise/training
Thurs – 3/15 Muscle – disorders & performance Muscle biology [ANS 155]
Tues – 3/20 Respiratory System – anatomy
Thurs – 3/22 Respiratory – response to exercise Respiratory [HTU]
Tues – 3/27 Exam #2
Thurs – 3/29 Cardiovascular System Cardiovascular [TBA]
Tues – 4/3 Cardiovascular System
Thurs – 4/5 Principles of Conditioning Exercise Testing [TBA]
Tues – 4/10 Evaluating Fitness
Thurs – 4/12 Conditioning Programs Exercise/Physiotherapy [TBA]
Tues – 4/17 Conditioning Programs
Thurs – 4/19 Thermoregulation Themoreg/Fluid Balance [ANS 155]
Tues – 4/24 Fluid Balance; Course wrap-up
Fri – 5/4 EXAM 3 – 7:30-9:30AM (ANS Rm 155)
Topics, exams & due dates
are subject to change.
If any changes are made,
you will receive at least
one week notice.
Lab Locations:
ANS = Animal Sciences bldg,
classroom 155
HTU = Horse Teaching Unit
1934 SW 63 rd Ave.
Map to HTU on E-learning
LAC = equine auditorium in
the large animal clinic at the
UF vet school.
TBA = to be arranged;
location will be announced
in lecture.