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Tavistock College has recently introduced a new short course in Equine
Science for small groups of high achieving students interested in
veterinary and biological science or equine related careers. This unique
course has been specially designed to stretch and challenge students,
with topics on the evolution of the horse, the history of the horse in
human civilisation, functional anatomy compared and contrasted with
human anatomy, and finishing with an in depth discussion on common
diseases, injuries and treatments. All lessons are vividly brought to
life by the presence of the ponies Fleur and Treacle, enabling students
to gain hands on experience of assessing health, finding the heartbeat,
and listening to normal gut sounds; concluding with assessment of the
relative seriousness of different wounds - illustrated in this case with
tomato sauce!
The course is delivered by a uniquely qualified family trio with long
standing connections with the college. Helen Harris , currently Head of
Law at the college, District Commissioner of Lamerton Hunt Pony Club and
now President of the club, has many years' experience of working with
children and ponies. The expertise on science is provided by husband
Lawrie Harris, Cambridge Natural Sciences graduate and an inspirational
Head of Biology at the college for 25 years. Former student at Tavistock
Dr David Harris MRCVS is a vet with extensive equine experience, at
present lecturing in Higher Education, and he brings the veterinary
module to life for the students, who were riveted by his stories of
treatments in practice.
The course has been warmly welcomed by parents and students alike, who
feel that it really does give a truly academic perspective - indeed some
of the explanations of biochemistry are beyond what is expected at A
level Biology.