University College Dublin, in Ireland, has announced the development of a new graduate certificate program focusing on equine sports medicine, according to the college’s website.

"The Graduate Certificate in Equine Sports Medicine is suitable for veterinary surgeons already in equine practice or who wish to pursue a career in equine sports medicine," the website reads. "The program will equip veterinarians with the necessary skills to fully investigate and treat poor performance in the equine athlete. Students will explore recent developments on key subjects specific to athletic performance including genetics, exercise physiology, adaptation of the body to systems to athletic training, evaluation of poor performance, and the treatment of diseases and injuries that impact on athletic performance."

The online program, which will run January 2013 to December 2013, "is designed to offer … veterinarians the opportunity to participate in part-time education," the site said.

The course modules will include genetics and exercise physiology, adaptation to training, pathology and clinical pathology of the equine athlete, evaluation of poor performance, and an elective of a dissertation or case reports