Incorporation of Equine Learning Theory into the Undergraduate Curriculum.

The article discusses a study investigating whether a single lecture on equine learning theory can alter undergraduate veterinary students’ perception of handling difficult horses in practice, aiming to decrease occupational injuries and hesitations about entering the large animal practice field.

Overview of the Study

• The researchers initiated the study due to the high risk of occupational injury associated with being an equine veterinarian. In particular, the unpredictable behavior of horses was noted as one of the major causes of such injuries.
• The study focused on pre-final-year undergraduate veterinary students. Risk of injury is a common reason given by students for not wanting to pursue careers in large animal practice.
• The study involved giving the students a 45-minute lecture on learning theory and its application in equine practice. Following that, participants answered questionnaires before, immediately after, and several weeks after the lecture.

Main Findings

• Results showed a significant shift in students’ attitudes towards dealing with difficult horse behavior scenarios after receiving the lecture.
• The students became less likely to opt for traditional methods of restraining or controlling the horse, such as using a twitch, post-lecture.
• Moreover, they were more likely to choose methods based on learning theory they had been taught in the lecture.

Implications of the Study

• Pupils also reported feeling more confident and more likely to succeed in completing an intervention with a difficult horse if faced with such a scenario after the lecture. They further felt less likely to sustain an injury.
• These findings suggest that incorporating equine learning theory in veterinary education can effectively prepare students for dealing with challenging horse behavior in practice, likely reducing the risk of occupational injuries and reluctance towards large animal practice.