Course Goals:
-To educate students about the harness racing industry.
-To educate students on the ethical, humane, and safe management of the standardbred race horses.
-To educate students about the economics of training standardbred race horses industry.
Learning Outcomes:
After attending this class student should be able to:
- Read and understand a racing program
- Understand the essential biology of the horse as it relates to harness racing
- Apply this knowledge to diseases of metabolism, circulation, respiration, and lameness in race horses
- Be able to read a pedigree and recognize the information used to make breeding decisions.
- Interpret Maine Harness racing commissions rules and statutes
- Discuss the options for obtaining or placing a retired standarbred racehorse
Grading:
Students will be administered take home study questions after some lectures, reading assignments, a midterm and a final examination.
Grading will be calculated as follows:
Take home study questions: 15%
Pedigree Project: 10%
Class participation and attendance: 10%
Midterm examination: 25%
Final examination: 25%
On a 100 point scale, A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69.
Updated 2023-11-19: Grading will be based on the 6 assignments listed on the webpage. I have added some self-assessment exercises which are optional since they were posted close to the end of the semester. You just need to complete Assignments 1 through 6.
Hands - on experience:
This is primarily a lecture class. Opportunities for hands-on driving experience take place in the spring / summer with Valerie Grondin, the trainer of our race horses. However, there may be an opportunity to visit the Bangor Raceway during this class.
Links to class information assignments and exams will be posted on https://robertcausey.github.io/AVS393/stblec1_2022.htm
Schedule of topics to be covered:
Harness Racing 101
20210908-Video of LectureReading a Racing Program - Horse information
HR101 handout
Assignment 1
20210915-Video of LectureReading a Racing Program - Race information
How to read racing program
Caretaker video 1
Caretaker video 2
Caretaker video 3
Caretaker video 4
Driver video
Assignment 2 - racing programs and impressions
20210922-Video of lectureParimutuel Wagering
20210929-Video of lectureHarness Racing Records and Databases
Assignment 3 - at the races
Self - Assessment exercise Registration paperworkThe (very) basics of equine nutrition and exercise physiology
Race horse nutritionDisorders in breathing of the racehorse
Discussion of anaerobic exercise
Self - Assessment exercise Respiratory anatomyEquine anatomy - musculoskeletal
Self - Assessment exercise Leg anatomy and gaitsLameness definitions applied to racehorses
NOTE: This exercise has links to a video lecture and slides which will help you in the final. Self - Assessment exercise Definition of lameness termsHarness racing rules and regulations
Maine's Harness Racing regulationsSales and Pedigrees
AbbreviationsLife after racing - Standardbred retirement and retraining
Mare list
Sire list
Assignment 4 - Pedigree Project
Assignment 5 - UMares and Pathway records
Maine Standardbred Pleasure Horse OrganizationAssignment 6 - Final Quiz
New Jersey Pleasure Horse Organization
Standardbred Transition Alliance
Standardbred Retirement FoundationStudents with Disabilities:
If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, please contact either myself or Ann Smith, Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (Onward Building, 581-2319), as early as possible in the semester.Academic Honesty Statement:
Academic honesty is very important. It is dishonest to cheat on exams, to copy term papers, to submit papers written by another person, to fake experimental results, or to copy or reword parts of books or articles into your own papers without appropriately citing the source. Students committing or aiding in any of these violations may be given failing grades for an assignment or for an entire course, at the discretion of the instructor. In addition to any academic action taken by an instructor, these violations are also subject to action under the University of Maine Student Conduct Code. The maximum possible sanction under the student conduct code is dismissal from the University.Please see the University of Maine System’s Academic Integrity Policy listed in the Board Policy Manual as Policy 314: https://www.maine.edu/board-of-trustees/policy-manual/section-314/Students Accessibility Services Statement:
If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, please contact Student Accessibility Services, 121 East Annex, 581.2319, as early as possible in the term. Students who have already been approved for accommodations by SAS and have a current accommodation letter should meet with me (Robert Causey) privately as soon as possible.Course Schedule Disclaimer (Disruption Clause):
In the event of an extended disruption of normal classroom activities (due to COVID-19 or other long-term disruptions), the format for this course may be modified to enable its completion within its programmed time frame. In that event, you will be provided an addendum to the syllabus that will supersede this version.Observance of Religious Holidays/Events:
The University of Maine recognizes that when students are observing significant religious holidays, some may be unable to attend classes or labs, study, take tests, or work on other assignments. If they provide adequate notice (at least one week and longer if at all possible), these students are allowed to make up course requirements as long as this effort does not create an unreasonable burden upon the instructor, department or University. At the discretion of the instructor, such coursework could be due before or after the examination or assignment. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to a student’s grade for the examination, study, or course requirement on the day of religious observance. The student shall not be marked absent from the class due to observing a significant religious holiday. In the case of an internship or clinical, students should refer to the applicable policy in place by the employer or site.Sexual Discrimination Reporting:
The University of Maine is committed to making campus a safe place for students. Because of this commitment, if you tell a teacher about an experience of sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, relationship abuse (dating violence and domestic violence), sexual misconduct or any form of gender discrimination involving members of the campus, your teacher is required to report this information to the campus Office of Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention or the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you want to talk in confidence to someone about an experience of sexual discrimination, please contact these resources:For confidential resources on campus:
Counseling Center: 207-581-1392 or Cutler Health Center: at 207-581-4000.For confidential resources off campus:
Rape Response Services: 1-800-871-7741 or Partners for Peace: 1-800-863-9909.Other resources:The resources listed below can offer support but may have to report the incident to others who can help:
For support services on campus:
Office of Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention: 207-581-1406, Office of Community Standards: 207-581-1409, University of Maine Police: 207-581-4040 or 911. Or see the OSAVP website for a complete list of services at http://www.umaine.edu/osavp/
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE COVID-19 SYLLABUS STATEMENT
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The virus is transmitted person-to-person through respiratory droplets that are expelled when breathing, talking, eating, coughing, or sneezing. Additionally, the virus is stable on surfaces and can be transmitted when someone touches a contaminated surface and transfers the virus to their nose or mouth. When someone becomes infected with COVID-19 they may either have no symptoms or symptoms that range from mild to severe and can even be fatal. During this global pandemic, it is imperative that all students, faculty, and staff abide by the safety protocols and guidelines set forth by the University to ensure the safety of our campus. All students are encouraged to make the Black Bear Cares Pact to protect the health of themselves, the health of others, and the College of Our Hearts Always.
Black Bears Care Pact: https://umaine.edu/return/black-bears-care/
Symptom checking:
The symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe, and even people with mild symptoms may transmit the virus to others. Students are encouraged to use the symptom checking app each day before attending class or moving about campus and follow the recommendation prompted within the app. Students should monitor for the following symptoms daily: fever (temperature greater than 100.4F/38.0C) or chills, new cough, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath/difficult breathing, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, or the onset of new, otherwise unexplained symptoms such as headache, muscle or body aches, fatigue, or congestion/runny nose.Physical distancing:
Students need to make every effort to maintain physical distancing (6 feet or more) indoors and outdoors including within classrooms. The University classrooms and physical spaces have been arranged to maximize physical distancing. Follow the traffic patterns outlined in each building and outdoor space to avoid crowding. If students are in an academic setting (i.e. clinical or lab class) that requires them to reduce physical distancing, they should follow the instructor’s guidelines.Face coverings:
Students must wear appropriate face coverings in the classroom. Face coverings must be worn in indoor and outdoor spaces on campus unless people are alone in a room with a door closed or when they are properly physically distanced and do not expect someone to approach them. When face coverings are removed people are placing themselves and those surrounding them at increased risk for COVID-19.Physical distancing:
Students need to make every effort to maintain physical distancing (6 feet or more) indoors and outdoors including within classrooms. The University classrooms and physical spaces have been arranged to maximize physical distancing. Follow the traffic patterns outlined in each building and outdoor space to avoid crowding. If students are in an academic setting (i.e. clinical or lab class) that requires them to reduce physical distancing, they should follow the instructor’s guidelines.