Dissertation ideas

Undecided

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I'm at a complete loss over what to do as a dissertation. I'm only in my second year so have a year to decide still, but as part of one of my modules this year I have to write a proposal for one (hand in is in 3 weeks so am desperate!). I can decide not to use it as my real thing, but will have to write another, and writing one is proving difficult enough so I'd rather find an idea I like and stick to it (and save myself some time and stress next year ;) )

My main interests lie in nutrition, bedding and some health and behaviour aspects (e.g. colic, mud fever, tendons, wild vs domestic (NO breeding/foals etc)), but didn't want to do something generic like ammonia levels with different bedding types, I did do a poster on absorption rates last year which I could expand on...

Leftover birthday cake for those who got this far and can offer any suggestions!!
 
Go to your uni library and look at past titles from other students.

Impact of bedding and dust levels on equine health

You need something that you're interested in, but not too specific. You've got to write 12000 words on it, so it needs to have content and substance.
 
The benefits of plenty of turnout - or on clinical studies proving the link between incorrect diet/not enough turnout and gastric ulcers?
 
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I've just had this discussion with our dentist so it is in my mind. How about a study that looks at the effect of diet on tooth health? Do horses that are out at grass all year have better teeth than ones that are stabled? Do horses that are fed hard feeds such as coarse mixes have poorer teeth than those that are only given e.g.soaked grass nuts? Are horses that have been bred in soft water areas such as parts of Scotland have worse teeth than those bred in hard water areas such as parts of the SE of England. You would need to find owners who have had their horses for a long time and know their feed and dental histories. I was thinking of my old cob who has quite rotten teeth now - I think in part because of a lifetime (25+ years) of rather sweet feed. There may also be a difference between different breeds?
 
Having just finished my dissertation - not in anything remotely equine, mind - I'll just offer a tidbit of generic advice! Try and make it something you're genuinely interested in, that you maybe have a stake in (is there an issue that's particularly affected you as an owner/rider?) or something you might be able to do some new and useful research in, contributing to the field in some way? I do English Lit, so a much less 'practical' subject, but my diss was on some very recent issues (a lot to do with the NSA/Snowden stuff in the news) and because it was 'a the forefront' as it were it made it heaps more exciting and motivating to study for!!

Best of luck with it, whatever you choose - it's quite the experience :')
 
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