Horse 101 - Part 1


This is Part 1 of a 3 part basics of the horse course.
  • Part 1 will cover:
    • Unit 1- Horses Then and Now
    • Unit 2- Horse Breeds and Uses
    • Unit 3- Horse Identification
    • Unit 4- Horse Conformation and Selection
  • There are 4 units with 2 lessons each.
  •  At the end of each lesson you will test your knowledge by completing a quiz.
  •  After completing all four units you can take a the final quiz to earn a certificate in Horse- 101 Part 1.


    • Horse Judging School – Coaches and Teams

    Horse Judging School - Coaches and Teams is for youth horse judging participants ages 8 and older, collegiate participants, youth coaches, collegiate coaches, and adult 4-H or FFA leaders.

    The criteria for judging numerous horse show classes typically used in a Horse Judging Contest are presented in video and interactive activities . Also, you will learn how to take notes, organize your thoughts and prepare a set of oral reasons.

    To enroll in this course- go to : https://marketplace.unl.edu/extension/programs/horse-judging-school.html


    For more information please contact: Kathy Anderson: kanderson1@unl.edu OR Rebecca Gunderson: regunder@umd.edu 

    Hippology Academy Part 1--Bronze Level



    This short, online, course is designed for youth, adults, leaders, and extension personnel to gain knowledge and practice on horse hippology content.

    Content includes practice tests, slides, and digital stations in six areas in addition to twice weekly lectures. 

    This bronze level course includes core features like access to 12 lectures from university professors on anatomy, health, diseases, parasitology, toxic plants, nutrition, and more and costs $50 per person. New lessons will be available starting on Monday for each of the 6 weeks.

    The fee for this course is $50.  You can purchase and enroll in this course by clicking the following button:


    Hippology Academy Part 2



    This short, online, course is the silver level offering designed for youth, adults, leaders, and extension personnel to gain knowledge and practice on horse hippology content. Content includes practice tests, slides, and digital stations in six areas in addition to twice weekly lectures. New lessons will be available starting on Monday for each of the 6 weeks. 

    The fee for this course is $100.  To purchase and enroll in it, click the following button:


    Environmental Management of Horses

    Horse owners need to be proactive in developing and implementing a plan for handling and disposing of manure. To avoid or ignore the issue may be a long-term recipe for disaster to the horse industry. Manure management options will be discussed in this lesson in addition to various aspects of pasture management including planning, renovations, and grazing practices.


    For more information contact Kathy Anderson, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, at kanderson1@unl.edu

    The fee for this course is $10.  To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.

    If you purchase at least $40 worth of courses from this category, you can receive a 20% discount by entering the voucher code of HorseQuest20. 


    Genetics of Horses

    This lesson will discuss how genetics can affect several different functions in horses, from coat color to diseases. It will also define how a Punnet square works, show how to recognize different coat colors based on genotype, and identify common genetic diseases.

    For more information  contact Kathy Anderson, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, at kanderson1@unl.edu

    The fee for this course is $10.  To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.

    If you purchase at least $40 worth of courses from this category, you can receive a 20% discount by entering the voucher code of HorseQuest20. 


    Horse Health

    This lesson will cover basic health care practices such as taking vital signs and determining Body Condition Score and discuss preventative health care, lameness, and dental issues. By understanding the diseases and parasites that affect horses, better decisions can be made for vaccinating a horse and adjusting a horse's deworming plan as necessary. Lameness is a serious concern to horse owners because it limits the use and potential future uses of horses either in the short term or permanently. By understanding how lameness affects horses, better decisions can be made for managing a lameness issue as soon as it becomes apparent. The majority of lameness diagnosed in a horse occurs in their lower limbs, more so in their hoof. Having a general knowledge of the hoof is a helpful aide when treating a problem. By understanding how dental health affects horses, better decisions can be made for managing issues as soon as they become apparent. Being familiar with the causes behind colic will also help sort out when and in what conditions a horse is most susceptible to colic.

    For more information contact Kathy Anderson, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, at kanderson1@unl.edu

    The fee for this course is $10. To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.

    If you purchase at least $40 worth of courses from this category, you can receive a 20% discount by entering the voucher code of HorseQuest20. 


    Horse Breeds & Uses

    This lesson compares and contrasts the different recreational and work-related uses of equine in the United States and globally. In addition, this lesson also explains how equine breeds are categorized and also discusses the history, unique physical properties, and uses of popular equine breeds.

    For more information  contact Kathy Anderson, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, at kanderson1@unl.edu

    The fee for this course is $10.  To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following link:


    Horses Then & Now

    The domestic horse of today is different from its prehistoric ancestors; through domestication and training, the horse is now used for work, sport, and therapy. Knowing the prehistoric origins of the modern horse can help us better understand their instinctive behaviors as well as their physiological makeup. 

    This lesson will discuss the history of the horse and its status in our world today and also discuss the diversity of the horse industry focusing on topics such as agriculture, business, sport, gaming, entertainment, and recreation.

    For more information or to enroll contact Kathy Anderson, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, at kanderson1@unl.edu

    Hippology Academy Part 1


    This short, online, course is the silver level offering designed for youth, adults, leaders, and extension personnel to gain knowledge and practice on horse hippology content. Content includes practice tests, slides, and digital stations in six areas in addition to twice weekly lectures. New lessons will be available starting on Monday for each of the 6 weeks. 

    The fee for this course is $100.  You can purchase and enroll in the course by clicking the following button:


    Horse Adult Leader Training and Educational Resource Program Level 2

    Welcome to HALTER Level Two! This self-directed course designed for adults working with youth. This course builds upon the first level of the HALTER program. Participants will gain equine science information, student activities, and methods to promote positive youth development from taking this course.

    The fee for this course is $10.  To purchase and enroll in this course, click the following button:

    If you purchase at least $40 worth of courses from this category, you can receive a 20% discount by entering the voucher code of HorseQuest20. 

    For more information contact Karen Waite, Michigan State University, at kwaite@msu.edu.

    Effective Horse Training

    In this section on training, efforts will be made to explain and simplify the process of developing a relationship with the horse where communication is simple and straightforward for both the horse and rider.

    For information contact Colleen Brady, bradyc@purdue.edu.

    The fee for this course is $10.  To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.

    If you purchase at least $40 worth of courses from this category, you can receive a 20% discount by entering the voucher code of HorseQuest20. 


    New and Prospective Horse Owners

    Owning a horse can be an enjoyable experience and many factors enter into this initial decision. There are many considerations and obligation of ownership. Included are such concerns as what horse activities or horse related activities are in your area, determining your real interest in horses, alternatives to owning a horse, how to decide what kind of horse to buy, horse management practices and costs and the benefits you and your family can gain from owning a horse. If you have any questions please contact Craig Wood, craig.wood@eXtension.org.

    Horse Adult Leader Training and Educational Resource Program Level 1

    Welcome to the Horse Adult Leader Training and Educational Resource (HALTER) Program! This progressive series of lessons is designed to offer equine science information, student activities, and techniques to foster positive youth development.

    The fee for this course is $10.  To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.

    If you purchase at least $40 worth of courses from this category, you can receive a 20% discount by entering the voucher code of HorseQuest20. 

    For more information contact Karen Waite, Michigan State University, at kwaite@msu.edu.

    Keeping Your Horse at Home

    Horse Owner Survival will teach you how to be safe around horses. It focuses on basic horse behavior, proper horse handling, safe attire and equipment and safe riding on the trail.

    Evaluate Equine Body Condition

    What is your horse's body condition? Did you know there was a scoring system to rank your horse's physical condition? Check out our latest learning lesson about how to body condition score your horse. Learn a time-tested and accepted method to evaluate your horse's fat cover and the balance between the food he eats and the amount of energy he burns.

    For information contact Colleen Brady, bradyc@purdue.edu

    The fee for this course is $10.  To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following link.

    If you purchase at least $40 worth of courses from this category, you can receive a 20% discount by entering the voucher code of HorseQuest20. 


    Understanding Bits for Horses

    Understanding how a bit works in the horse's mouth will help you select the most appropriate bit for the job and appreciate the craftsmanship of well balanced and constructed bits.

    The fee for this course is $10.  To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button.

    If you purchase at least $40 worth of courses from this category, you can receive a 20% discount by entering the voucher code of HorseQuest20. 


    Introduction to Horses and Horse Activities

    Are you interested in horses? Do you want to know about all the activities available to you and your horse? Check out this learning lesson to find out more about different breeds of horses, types of horse activities and how to have fun with your horse.

    Equine Pasture Management

    Why is good pasture important to horses? Well, because horses should consume at least 1-2% of their body weight each day in forage (hay or pasture). A 1000 lb horse will need from 2 - 3 acres to provide enough pasture to meet its total nutrient requirements.

    The fee for this course is $10.  To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button:

    If you purchase at least $40 worth of courses from this category, you can receive a 20% discount by entering the voucher code of HorseQuest20. 


    Basic Horse Care & Management

    Knowing general information about horse welfare, behavior, nutrition, health and regulations is essential to keeping your horse happy and healthy. This learning module gives an overview of the care and management of horses, with information ranging from daily health checks to management & control of diseases and parasites.

    For information contact Colleen Brady, at bradyc@purdue.edu.

    The fee for this course is $10.  To purchase and enroll in the course, click the following button:

    If you purchase at least $40 worth of courses from this category, you can receive a 20% discount by entering the voucher code of HorseQuest20.