Build your knowledge with online courses
Horse certificate courses are semi-self-paced on a specific topic, such as nutrition or manure management. The courses start in January of each year and run for six weeks. Registration opens in the fall. To earn a certificate of completion, participants must earn at least 70% on course assignments. If you do not want a certificate, you do not have to complete the assignments.
Registration for courses opens in the fall. Not all classes are offered annually.
Basic horse nutrition
Learn how the anatomy and physiology of the horse’s gastrointestinal tract interact with feedstuffs and the horse’s nutritional requirements. The course covers key nutrients, common and alternative feedstuffs, understanding feed tags, using equine nutrition information, and feeding young, adult, performance, and aged horses.
Composting horse carcasses
Equine experts will guide you through the process of composting a horse carcass, including approved euthanasia and disposal options, constructing and managing compost, using finished compost, and troubleshooting. Because rules and regulations vary by state, this course focuses on composting a horse carcass in Minnesota; however, the carcass composting process outlined will be useful to owners and managers across the U.S.
Equine ration balancing
This practical course will teach horse owners how to confidently balance a ration, taking the guesswork out of feeding your horse. We will dive into using forage analyses, reading feed tags, and selecting the right feedstuffs for your horse’s digestive health. You’ll get to apply your skills by calculating rations for several different real-world examples, from an easy keeper to a hardworking performance horse and even a senior with special needs.
Growing and feeding horse hay
Learn about growing and feeding quality horse hay in the Upper Midwest. We’ll cover hayfield establishment and management, harvesting and storing high-quality hay, submitting and interpreting an equine hay analysis, hay options for diseased horses, hay feeding and estimating hay needs, and tips on buying and selling hay.
Horse biosecurity
Biosecurity is essential for preventing or reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Basic biosecurity principles are universal, though the practice of biosecurity will look different for each horse caretaker and facility. This course will give you an introduction to equine biosecurity.
Horse pasture establishment and management
Learn about establishing and managing pastures for horses in the Upper Midwest. We’ll cover pasture layout and design, estimating pasture intake, managing diseased horses on pasture, and pasture research updates and available resources.
Managing overweight horses
It is estimated that 30% of horses worldwide are overweight. This course will help owners identify and better manage overweight or easy-keeping horses. Learn about bodyweight estimation techniques, determining caloric needs, nutritional strategies, facilitating and monitoring weight loss, and medical interventions and case studies.
Manure management for small farms and horse owners
Horse owners and small farm owners will learn about manure characteristics and basics, environmental concerns, rules and regulations, composting, stockpiling, and land application of horse manure.
Plants poisonous to horses in the Midwest
The poisonous plant course focuses on 20 plants toxic to horses and commonly found in Midwestern hayfields, pastures, wooded areas, fence lines, and around horse properties. Learn about weed growth, chemical and mechanical control strategies, plant ID resources, and the importance of reading and understanding a herbicide label.
Equine Exhibition Manager training
This self-paced online course helps managers of equine exhibitions in Minnesota meet state requirements more confidently and host safer exhibitions for horses and attendees. The course covers the responsibilities of equine exhibition managers, the requirements for horses to be exhibited, and how to apply for exhibition permits.
Those who successfully complete the course will earn a certificate that managers can use to support a rule variance petition for MN Administrative Rule 1721.0100, Subpart 4. Participants must correctly answer 80% of the course quiz questions to receive a certificate.
This course has been developed in collaboration with the Minnesota BAH and University of Minnesota Equine (UMN) Extension Program. BAH is the regulatory body responsible for protecting the health of domestic animals in Minnesota, and UMN Extension provides educational resources throughout the state.
Upcoming events and online training
Audience
Courses are recommended for adult learners (ages 18 and older) but are open to everyone. There is no college credit for these courses.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register for more than one course?
You may register for more than one course. Keep in mind that most learners report spending one to three hours per week per course. Many learners successfully take up to two courses each year.
Are there certain times I need to be present for the courses?
No, the courses are semi-self-paced and completely online. If you desire a certificate of course completion, you will need to complete weekly assignments that are usually due Sunday evenings after being open for a few days. Learners will mainly engage with instructors through asynchronous discussions.
Can I earn college credits or a professional certification through the courses?
No, the courses do not result in college credit or certification in a given subject. Learners who complete all assignments by the due dates will earn a certificate of course completion.
Will you offer each course in the future?
We hope so, but course offerings depend on the instructors’ availability. Not all courses will be offered every year.
Do you offer courses throughout the year?
We offer courses once a year between January and February. Course registration usually opens in the late fall.
How will I access the courses?
On the first day of class, the instructors will send out an email to everyone who registered for their course. The instructor’s email will include the course link and additional instructions. Once you have the course link, you will be able to access the course page at any time during the course as long as you have a good internet connection.