THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2026/2027

Draft Edition - Due to be published Thursday 9th April 2026

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies : Equine Science

Postgraduate Course: Equine Behavioural Medicine B (C-EBM.2) (EQSC11057)

Course Outline
SchoolRoyal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeOnline Distance Learning AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis module is aimed at vets who want to offer a service for seeing equine behavioural medicine cases. It is designed to help candidates develop both practical and theoretical skills in the field. The candidate is expected to build on the foundation skills developed when undertaking the A and B modules, and to demonstrate progression towards advanced practitioner skills. The candidate will be able to evaluate their own standards of practice and develop strategies for continuous improvement in the future.
Course description This assessment-only course forms part of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice.

This module will focus on why horses behave the way they do and how to treat unwanted behaviours. Candidates will explore unwanted behaviours from a causal and functional perspective, considering the behaviour indicators of pain, stress, range of emotions and behavioural syndromes in horses. Candidates will be able to create behavioural modification plans to improve equine behaviour and welfare. Finally, there is a focus on human behaviour change and how it may be communicated to improve both human and equine welfare.

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Flexible
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 98 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Summative assessment
¿ Open book multiple-choice questions (10%).
¿ Evaluation of a behavioural medicine case history and generation of a clinical report, including differential diagnosis and a behaviour modification plan (45%).
¿ Case presentation (45%).
¿ Case log (pass/fail).

Formative assessment:
All students will have access to formative activities to assist with assessment preparation, including feedback on draft work prior to submission. All students have access to a range of study skills resources and guidance to prepare for assessment.

Feedback All assignments will be marked and feedback provided within a period of 15 working days following submission (excluding holidays periods whereby the University of closed, e.g. over the Christmas period).

Opportunities for informal feedback arise through personal tutor and live sessions as well as through email discussions. Formal feedback and feedforward will be provided only on coursework assignments.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of specialised terminology, principal theories, concepts, and principles of equine behavioural medicine.
  2. Apply knowledge, skills, and understanding in using a range of professional skills, techniques and practices associated with equine behaviour medicine.
  3. Manage challenging professional issues and make informed judgements in relation to current professional and/or ethical codes or practices in relation to equine behavioural medicine.
Reading List
The course reading list will be provided via the University¿s Resource List service and a link will be provided on the Learn course.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills This course develops skills in:

Critical thinking
¿ Developing independent thought through questioning norms, practices and opinions
¿ Seeking relevant and appropriate evidence and understanding biases determining the significance of what is being expressed
¿ Seeing wider themes and patterns in information

Problem solving
¿ Synthesising information and translating into knowledge within different contexts
¿ Facilitating and co-producing solutions
¿ Considering complex systems with contradictions and uncertainties

Data and digital literacy
¿ Understanding, interpreting and questioning evidence derived from data and its sources

Adaptivity
¿ Being flexible as circumstances change
¿ Coping with uncertainty and ambiguity
¿ Applying personal drive, motivation and determination

Reflection
¿ Reviewing during and after actions
¿ Considering choices, decisions and their outcomes
KeywordsVeterinary,clinical practice,equine behaviour,behavioural medicine
Contacts
Course organiserMs Gemma Pearson
Tel:
Email: Gemma.Pearson@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Sophia Hannah
Tel:
Email: shannah2@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information