Advanced Diploma – Applied Equine Behaviour

Advanced Diploma – Applied Equine Behaviour

Take your understanding of horses to a professional level.

Do you already work with horses and want to understand why behavioural problems occur — and how to address them systematically? 

Our new Advanced Diploma in Applied Equine Behaviour is designed for equine professionals who want to specialise in horse behaviour and develop the knowledge to work with behavioural cases.

You will explore learning theory, equine cognition, behaviour and welfare, behavioural diagnostics, the effects of health and the environment, stress, pharmacology, and the development of practical behaviour-modification plans.

The emphasis is on understanding the behaviour rather than simply managing the symptom.

You will learn how to assess a case, consider the factors contributing to the behaviour, develop appropriate recommendations and create structured, welfare-centred behaviour and training plans. The course also covers professional conduct, referral and working within appropriate professional boundaries.

This is advanced study for people who want to specialise in equine behaviour — not a basic horse-care course.

📚 Level 5 Advanced Diploma
🐴 12 specialist modules
🧠 Equine behaviour, learning & cognition
🔎 Behavioural assessment & case analysis
📝 Behaviour modification & training plans
🌿 Welfare-centred, evidence-informed practice
💻 Flexible home study

Become the professional people turn to when a horse's behaviour needs more than a quick fix.

What You’ll Learn

1. Learning Theory

• How horses learn through association, observation, experience, trial and error, and practice.
• Classical and operant conditioning, habituation, sensitisation and one-trial learning.
• Reinforcement, shaping, chaining, extinction, pressure and release, and positive reinforcement.
• Systematic desensitisation, counterconditioning and welfare-centred training.

2. The Genetics and Evolution of Equine Behaviour

• The genetics of the horse, and how genes can affect behaviour
• Biological principles; cell division, types of reproduction
• The principles of inheritance of genes
• The links between horses and their ancestor, the wolf, similarities and differences
• How domestication and artificial selection have changed the physical and behavioural characteristics of horses

3. Biochemistry of the Brain

• The differences between the divisions of the nervous system
• The different neural pathways between voluntary and involuntary behaviour
• The structure of the nervous system
• Overview of the brain and the functions of the various parts
• Neurotransmitters and how they affect horse behaviour
• The senses of the horse and how they differ from other species
• A detailed look at the sense and how this affects behaviour

4. Pharmacology

• The classes and types of veterinary drugs
• Different ways that drugs act on the body
• The ways that drugs can impact upon horse behaviour
• Some common medical disorders and the ways that these can influence the behaviour of a horse
• For the project a chemical that might be found within the environment is selected and researched to find out how this could impact upon the health and behaviour of the horse

5. The Internal Environment

• Homeostasis and the normal physiology of the body
• How health and physiology can affect horse behaviour
• Various medical conditions are covered, and their behavioural effects
• The physiological and behavioural effects of stress, and the hormones involved
• Other biological factors, for example how hormones or nutrition can influence behaviour

6. The External Environment

• The external factors that can affect the behaviour of a forse
• The environment in which the horse lives, and the experiences it has had
• The interactions between other horses, and also with people
• The importance of socialisation in early life
• Scientific research that has been carried out into the social development
• This module introduces some case studies for analysis to identify causes of problem behaviour

7. Equine Cognition and Theory of Mind

• Equine perception, memory, problem solving and social cognition.
• The limits of human assumptions about equine intelligence.
• Anthropomorphism and evidence-based interpretation.

8. Behavioural Diagnostics

• Taking a behavioural history and observing body language.
• Identifying antecedents, behaviour and consequences.
• Recognising fear, pain-related behaviour, conflict and behavioural suppression.

9. Professional Conduct

• Ethical practice, communication, records and professional boundaries.
• Working appropriately with owners, veterinarians and equine professionals.
• Knowing when to refer a case.

10. Application of Theory

• Applying learning theory to real-life behaviour cases.
• Designing safe, practical and measurable behaviour plans.
• Management, prevention, positive reinforcement and low-stress training.

11. The Law

• Equine welfare, duty of care and professional responsibility.
• Risk management, consent, records and legal boundaries.

12. Case Studies

• Applying theory to realistic equine behaviour problems.
• Assessing welfare, risk, management, health and training factors.
• Creating ethical, welfare-centred recommendations.

Course Details

Important: This is an academic programme. It does not qualify students to diagnose veterinary conditions, prescribe medication or work beyond their competence and legal scope. Behaviour that may involve pain, illness, injury or serious safety concerns requires appropriate veterinary assessment and/or referral