Assessor Resource

ACMEQU401A
Relate equine anatomical and physiological features to equine health care requirements

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


The Unit is applicable to the equine industry where it may be necessary to provide health care to ensure the well being and efficient physiological function of horses.In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all Units of Competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.

This Unit of Competency covers the process of evaluating a range of ailments and diseases that could occur in horses and their impact on other body systems and the health of horses.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisite Units for this competency standard.


Employability Skills

This Unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

describe and locate anatomical and physiological features of horses using veterinary terminology

explain the function and interaction of body systems

evaluate a range of ailments and diseases that could occur in horses and their impact on other body systems

identify horse behaviour characteristics that indicate distress or illness

make informed decisions on prioritising general classes of treatments provided by allied equine health care providers to maintain the health and well-being of horses.

The skills and knowledge required to relate equine anatomical and physiological features to equine health care requirements must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment for this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an equine allied health workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to a range of horses and anatomical models and the relevant equipment and resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry standards, on more than two occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include assessment of competency in a work environment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:

written and oral assessment of candidate’s required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate’s application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

case studies

third-party evidence

workplace documentation.

This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socio-economic backgrounds).


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills include:

Ability to:

analyse and solve problems using available information and resources including recording information and prioritising daily tasks

apply interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

communicate effectively with others, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from other relevant persons

consult clearly and precisely with other equine health care providers

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling horses

follow sequenced written instructions; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

identify when the horse's needs are beyond provider's current professional and personal scope

interpret and respond appropriately to horse behaviour

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection; considering zoonotic and exotic disease possibilities (biosecurity)

prepare and maintain equine records using appropriate terminology

provide information to owners or carers on equine health care

read and follow required policies and procedures, including OHS, infection control and waste management

refer owners or carers to relevant health care providers when required

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe, hygienic and environmentally friendly waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

anatomical and physiological structures, features and functions

anatomical directional terminology

causes and consequences of horse ailments, infections and injuries

contagious disease symptoms, prophylaxis and biosecurity protocols

equine allied health practitioners' codes of conduct

equine health therapies and treatments

indicators of horse distress, illness and disease

industry and anatomical terminology related to equine allied health care

normal and abnormal characteristics of equine behaviour

principles of animal welfare

relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice, including OHS, animal welfare and ethics, veterinary practice and waste disposal

relevant state or territory legislation covering the supply, possession and use of restricted and controlled substances

safe work practices

workplace hygiene standards (biosecurity) including: disinfectants, cleaning agents and techniques, cleaning and appropriate disinfection or sterilisation of equipment, materials and personal protective equipment (PPE).

The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Anatomical features may include:

cell

systems:

cardiovascular

digestive

hepatic

integumentary

lymphatic

musculo-skeletal

nervous and endocrine

reproductive

respiratory

tooth structure

urinary.

Others may include:

veterinarians

colleagues

handlers or attendants

other equine allied health care providers

owners or carers.

Cellular biology may include:

basic cell anatomically and physiologically

cell division

cell metabolism

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Components of the integumentary system may include:

skin

mucus membranes

hair

hooves

keratin

fibrous tissue (‘scar’)

Components of the musculo-skeletal system may include:

bones of the body

bones of the head, jaw and neck

bone structure

joints

ligaments

tendons

muscles of the head and neck

major muscles

muscle tissue

teeth and tooth structure; periodontium.

Components ofthe respiratory system may include:

nostrils (nares)

pharynx

larynx

trachea and bronchi

lungs

diaphragm

rib cage and intercostal muscles

Components ofthe cardiovascular system may include:

blood vessels, covering all five types of vessels including:

arteries

veins

blood cells

blood circulation

lymphatic circulation

heart.

Components ofthe digestive system may include:

lips

oral cavity (mouth)

teeth

tongue

pharynx

epiglottis

oesophagus

spleen

liver

stomach

duodenum

small intestine

small colon

large colon

caecum

rectum

anus

smooth muscle function and peristalsis

blood and lymphatic circulation.

Components ofthe reproductive system may include:

endocrine glands

male and female genital organs

oestrous cycle

pregnancy and foaling.

Components ofthe nervous and endocrine systems may include:

endocrine glands

hypothalamus and pituitary axis

hormonal influences on oestrous cycle, pregnancy and foaling

central and peripheral nerve cells

oestrous cycle

pregnancy and foaling

sensation including noxious response

spinal nerves

sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

cranial nerves.

Components ofthe immune systems may include:

inflammation and immune responses and wound healing

lymph nodes

lymphatic vessels/circulation

spleen

thymus.

Components ofthe hepatic system may include:

digestion of fats and role of bile

liver.

Components ofthe urinary system may include:

bladder

kidneys

urinary tract (ureters, urethra)

Horse behaviour problems may include:

bed eating

bolting food

box walking

bucking

crib biting

jibbing

kicking or biting staff or other horses

pushing or barging

rearing

reluctance to eat

rug chewing

weaving

wind sucking.

Disease, illness or injury may include:

skeletal and muscular systems:

bog spavin

bone chips

bone spavin

bowed tendon

degenerative joint disease (DJD)

muscle myopathies

muscle strain

navicular disease

sesamoiditis

shin soreness

splints

stifle joint lameness

suspensory ligament injury

tendonitis

windgalls

respiratory system:

acute respiratory syndrome - Hendra Virus

air passage inflammation

bleeding

equine herpes virus

equine influenza

heaves

pneumonia

roaring

strangles

circulatory system:

cardiac abnormalities

epistaxis

myocardial disease

digestive system:

botulism

colic

quidding

choke

‘colitis x’

dysphagia

enteritis

hepatitis.

Treatment may include:

acupuncture

bandaging techniques

chiropractic

dentistry

electromagnetic

exercise, for example walking or swimming

hydrotherapy

cold and heat

immobilisation

laser

magnetic

massage

pharmaceutical

physiotherapy

rest.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Anatomical features are used to describe the characteristics of horse structures to others 
Anatomical features are used to describe the location of horse structures to others 
Anatomical orientation is used to locate and explain the position of structures in horses to others 
Structure and function of cellular biology and its relationship to growth, injury and healing/repair are identified and described to others in relation to impact on general horse health 
Structures and functions of the integumentary system are identified and described to others in relation to impact on general horse health 
Structures and functions of musculo-skeletal system are identified and described to others in relation to impact on general horse health 
Structures and functions of respiratory system are identified and described to others in relation to impact on general horse health 
Structures and functions of cardiovascular system are identified and described to others in relation to impact on general horse health 
Structures and functions of digestive system are identified and described to others in relation to impact on general horse health 
Structures and functions of reproductive system are identified and described to others in relation to impact on general horse health 
Structures and functions of nervous and endocrine systems are identified and described to others in relation to impact on general horse health 
Structures and functions of the immune systems are identified and described to others in relation to impact on general horse health 
Structures and functions of the hepatic system are identified and described to others in relation to impact on general horse health 
Structures and functions of the urinary system are identified and described to others in relation to impact on general horse health 
Temperature regulation in horses is related to overall health and well being 
Horse behaviour is related to symptoms of disease, illness or injury 
Horse treatment of disease, illness or injury is related to health care priorities 
Treatment priority decisions are made based on animal welfare needs and the potential ongoing impact of ailments or disease 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMEQU401A - Relate equine anatomical and physiological features to equine health care requirements
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Assessment Record Sheet

ACMEQU401A - Relate equine anatomical and physiological features to equine health care requirements

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