Exploring the Equine Industry

Overview:
In each unit of this course you will be creating a small project that helps you to
understand the unit content.
Instructions:
Build on the readings and resources that you have been assigned as well as other
resources that you have learned from about the topic of this unit. Conduct additional
investigation to identify ideas and information that expand your learning beyond that
presented in the course.
You may choose from one of the following formats how you would like to present the
information:
o Written essay: about 500 words
o Slide show: about 10-12 slides, with script or narration attached
o Video: about 5-7 minutes
o Audio: about 5-7 minutes
o Other project: as proposed by you with about the same required length or
content (project must be approved in advance by your instructor).
Unit Project Topics
 Unit 1: Describe the major events and consequences of the transition from
agricultural/military/ transportation uses of equines to today’s primarily
recreational equestrian culture.
 Unit 2: Describe the two role of equines that work in today’s society, discussing
what we know about the human-animal bond, the move toward therapeutic uses
of animals, or other roles, which may include mounted patrol. Organize your
project in a way that compares and contrasts these roles.
 Unit 3: Describe, in general terms, the financial contribution made to the
economy by competitions, tack and equipment sales, and “equestrian lifestyle”
businesses. Be clear about how the money spent on recreation and competition
finds its way back to the economy.
 Unit 4: Answer one of the following:
o How is the equine industry as a whole affected by advances in medical
care or development of new therapies? How many different areas of the
EQU105: Exploring the Equine Industry
Weekly Unit Projects
industry are connected to a new advancement? Use an existing product or
service as an example.
OR
o Congratulations! You have developed a ground-breaking new technology
that will make big changes to equine medical care! What is the
product/service, and who will you want to promote it to first? Why? Will
they use the product, recommend it, or sell it to others? How will it pay for
itself?
 Unit 5: Identify and describe two ways that breeders and breed associations
influence the economic impact, direction, and future of the industry.
 Unit 6: Describe shifts that you think will occur in the equine industry in the next
ten years. Make a clear connection to the present state of the industry and
current events.
 Unit 7: Give real-life examples that point to the critical relationship between
equestrian activities and stewardship of the land for feed crop production,
housing, or recreation. Support your explanation with both personal experience
and information from the readings.
Requirements:
 Be sure to read the assignment instructions and rubric carefully before beginning.
 Use full sentences and appropriate academic language in all work.
 Follow standard APA guidelines (proper margins, double-spaced, Times New
Roman font, and 12-point font) and label all assignments with your full name,
course title, and date.
 Use APA citation format and include a reference/work cited page when
necessary.
Be sure to read the criteria by which your project will be evaluated, before you
write, and again after you write. Grading rubric below.
Evaluation Rubric for Weekly Unit Project Assignments
CRITERIA Development Needed Proficient Exemplary
0-13 points 14-17 points 18-20 points
Content Work does not
clearly address the
assignment
requirements. It lacks
critical thought,
clarity, and support
for ideas. Work
shows frequent
factual errors.
All elements of the
assignment are
generally clear and
evidence of critical
thinking is shown.
Content is generally
accurate and
research is relevant
to the material.
The assignment is
developed
thoroughly, with
accurate information
and clear evidence of
critical thinking.
Research conducted
enriches the work.
Organization Work lacks a
consistent or logical
flow of information.
Information follows a
logical sequence but
may lack fluency.
The project shows a
logical, interesting
sequence. Topics
flow progressively
from one to the other.
Professionalism Content is not suited
to the type of project
chosen, design and
presentation are
untidy, or the amount
of content does not
match the scope of
the project. It may be
crammed full or
missing information.
Presentation is neat
and generally
consistent. The type
of project selected is
generally suited to
the content.
The project is
presented in an
attractive and
appropriate style.
Size and scope of
the content are
suited to the project
type.
Preparation and
Development
The project
demonstrates little or
no advance
preparation.
Planning and
preparation are
generally evident.
Points are mostly
succinct and show
understanding of the
topic.
Thorough
preparation is
evident. Information
is accurate and
presentation is
generally relevant,
succinct, and
original.
Grammar and
References
The project has
errors that impede
understanding or
significant errors in
APA format are
present. Work is not
plagiarized.
Grammatical
elements and APA
citation methods are
generally correct.
Minor errors do not
affect
understanding.
Grammatical
elements and APA
citations are errorfree.