Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the basic principles of chemistry as they relate to the care and feeding of horses.

Materials and Prep

You will need:

• A notebook and pencil
• Access to the internet for research
• No prior knowledge is needed, just an open mind and curiosity!

Activities

1. Research and discuss the chemical composition of horse feed and supplements. 2. Create a simple experiment to demonstrate the effects of different pH levels on soil, relating to the importance of soil chemistry in horse grazing areas. 3. Investigate the chemical composition of common horse grooming products and discuss their effects on the horse's coat and health.

Seventh Grade Talking Points

• Chemistry is the study of matter and its properties. In this lesson, we will focus on how chemistry relates to the care of horses, such as their food, environment, and grooming products.
• Did you know that the food horses eat is made up of different chemical compounds? Just like how we need a balanced diet, horses also need a mix of different chemicals to stay healthy and strong.
• When we talk about pH levels in soil, we're discussing how acidic or alkaline the soil is. This can affect the nutrients available to the grass and plants that horses eat, which in turn affects their health.
• Understanding the chemical composition of grooming products helps us make informed choices about what to use on horses. Some chemicals can nourish the horse's coat and skin, while others can be harmful.