by Susan Raymond, Communications Officer, Equine Guelph

Guelph, ON — Equine Guelph, in partnership with the Office of Open Learning, is offering a new online course in Equine Genetics. The 12-week course will provide the tools, techniques and knowledge necessary to develop a broad understanding of the important role that genetics plays in the equine industry.

Instructor Alicia Skelding is a Univeristy of Guelph graduate with a BSc Agr in Animal Science and plans to soon complete a MSc in Animal Breeding and Genetics/Toxicology. She has been riding hunter/jumper since she was seven years old, and spends her spare time schooling younger horses.

“This online course will not only appeal to industry breeders but people interested in the genetics behind performance, health and breed variability,” says Equine Genetics instructor Alicia Skelding. “This course will provide students with the knowledge base to understand and apply these concepts within the industry.”

Equine Genetics is one of the elective courses in the Equine Science Certificate continuing education program and a required course in the Diploma in Equine Studies, both offered by the University of Guelph. The course runs from January 12 to April 5, 2009. For more details visit www.EquineGuelph.ca, or e-mail info@open.uoguelph.ca.