The Rural Voice, 2002-04, Page 57AgriTech
Equine education goes on-line
Janice
Becker is a
computer
enthusiast
and
journalist
living near
Walton, ON.
As was evident from my March
column, I am eagerly awaiting the
arrival of spring and the opportunity
to get A little dirt under my nails.
However, while talking with a
relative recently, it became apparent
that while I was envisioning working
with the soil, she was more
interesting in tromping on it, perched
atop a trusty steed.
For her, spring is the time to bring
horses out of the barn and take them
for a ride through the country. Her
ever-growing fascination with the
great beasts led me to think that there
are probably a lot of people
enthralled with horses.
To that end, I discovered a site
which is not only for those with
hands-on experience in the equine
industry, but also for those who love
and own horses, plan on purchasing
one or wish to update their practical
knowledge.
The Equine Research Centre's
site, www.erc.on.ca, is a straight-
forward, easy-to-use website which
receives input from University of
Guelph, OMAFRA, Ontario Veter-
inary College and Veterinarian
Teaching Hospital personnel.
The aspect that I found the most
exciting about ERC's site was the on-
line educational opportunity, '
advertised as the first Canadian, on-
line certificate program in equine
studies. Now is the perfect time to
check it out as the first of the six
modules begins May 13, focusing on
managing the environment of horses.
Other courses include growth and
development, equine exercise
physiology, health and prevention,
functional anatomy, and nutrition.
Though some of the courses are still
in development, detailed information
is provided on others.
Computer specs to enable
adequate participation are included.
Though the latest model is not
needed, there may be difficulty using
a five-year-old system as 32 MB
RAM are required and 64 MB is
recommended.
. Registration can be done on-line
or through more conventional
methods. The tuition is $495. The
certificate program is offered through
the University of Guelph's continuing
education program.
There is information on video
education opportunities from the
University of Kentucky with the cost
hitting $180 to $212 per module for
the five -module program.
As with most good sites, a
calendar of events is included, as well
as a children's section, a bookstore
with books. CDs. videos and posters.
news items and research projects. -
One soon -to -be -held conference is
the Third Annual Nutraceutical
Alliance Symposium at the
University of Guelph. May 10-11.
The focus'is on natural health
products. Further information on the
symposium can be found at
www.nutraceuticalalliance.com.
I found the links well laid -out with
a good division for areas of interest.
If searching by breed, more than 30
are listed with further subdivisions
for specific associations. Under
Clydesdales, One of my favourites,
the Clydesdale Breeders of U.S.A.,
Clydesdale Horse Association of
Canada, U.S.A. Clydesdale and Filly
Racing Federation and World
Clydesdale Horse Show are listed.
There are links for various aspects of
equine care as well as organizations
and councils involved in the industry.
The Canadian Equestrian Federation
can be found at www.equestrian.ca
and the Ontario counterpart at
www.horse.on.ca.
On a site that I found to be very
good overall, the only weak point is
the calendar of events. With February
and March events still listed in mid-
March, it could be difficult to plan
ahead.
However, it is well worth a look
for horse enthusiasts.
Contact me • at:
jlbecker@wightman..ca, with
feedback or topic suggestions.0
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APRIL 2002 53