Assessor Resource

AHCHBR308A
Maintain horses in a healthy state and safe environment

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency is intended to apply to any horse breeding environment and is generally applicable to most horse industry enterprises. It supports stud workers and supervisors, stud managers and others authorised to manage horse health and welfare.

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, it is a requirement that horses are handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for horses so that stress and discomfort is minimised.

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain horse health and welfare through the application of regular programs.

In order to undertake this unit candidates should be capable of applying work health and safety procedures to the safe handling 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

Nil

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 competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and include demonstration of candidates ability to perform the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when managing horse health and welfare

implementation of procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient provision of horse health and welfare

working with others to implement and complete horse health and welfare procedures that meet required outcomes

treat common diseases and recognise common ailments, ill health and injury in horses

handle and restrain horses for observation and treatment as required

treat horse injury and disease

complete horse health and medication records

perform preventative actions such as stable hygiene practices and quarantine procedures

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment must include observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to manage horse health and welfare

safe handling areas, such as stables

work instructions and related documentation

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

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

inspection of completed work

Where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

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:

Verbal communication and interpersonal skills to:

liaise with employer, stable staff, horse health specialists and others regarding the health and welfare of the horse, including giving and receiving instructions and discussing treatment options

develop and maintain strong reporting relationships

support others in handling and providing treatment to horses

Written skills to compile and maintain documentation

Literacy skills to understand and apply written materials such as organisational procedures and workplace health and safety requirements

Planning and organising skills to organise, conduct and maintain a program of regular parasite, health and injury checks

Identification and problem solving skills to:

apply safe handling and work practices

administer medication and treatments

assess vital signs and respond to illnesses or injuries in horses

comply with animal welfare policies in the care and management of horses

recognise signs and symptoms of communicable diseases

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

horse handling and restraint techniques, common horse behaviour and social traits

minimum welfare and/or council requirements and regulations for keeping animals

workplace health and safety regulations relating to the use and storage of chemicals and pharmaceuticals

vaccination requirements and any regulations established by controlling bodies or government agencies

common illnesses and injuries in horses including first aid, types of medication and treatments

commonly used health parameters for the animal e.g. temperature, respiration rate, hydration, temperature control, heart rate

the application of a range of basic treatments under veterinary supervision

symptoms of and procedures for notifiable diseases

regulations regarding the use of therapeutic substances

principles of hygiene and best practice as they relate to animal care

structure of the hoof/foot

common hoof/foot disorders such as: thrush, corns, quarter cracks, bruising, and abscess

infection transfer

required quarantine procedures in case of localised infectious disease

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.

Needs may include:

environmental

physical

security

emotional

Animal environment includes:

housing

shelters

paddocks

fences

Horse classes cover:

foals and weanlings

mares

stallions

other adult horses

previously vaccinated

unvaccinated

Common illnesses, injuries and parasitic infections may include:

illnesses:

circulatory disorders

eye, nose and mouth disorders

digestive disorders

metabolic disorders

musculo-skeletal disorders

neurological disorders

respiratory disorders

skin disorders

injuries:

bruises

falls

girth galls

joint injuries

sprained ligaments or tendons

strained muscles

tack rubs

wounds

parasitic infections

external - lice, ticks

internal - worms

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
Housing is arranged to meet the individual needs of the animal 
The animal environment maintained in an appropriate manner which takes into consideration animal welfare principles and work health and safety procedures 
Food storage areas and water supply are cleaned and maintained to keep all areas are free of contaminants 
Routine cleaning and maintenance of stables, yards and paddocks is established and monitored to ensure an hygienic environment 
Vaccination requirements for different horse classes are identified and understood 
Vaccination program is maintained according to agreed schedule 
Vaccination schedule is documented and appropriate certification records are maintained 
Regular regime of checking animals for signs of illness/injury is carried out 
Causes and symptoms of common illnesses, injuries and parasitic infections are identified and treatment is provided under supervision 
Internal and external parasites are identified and their impact on horses is assessed 
Communicable diseases are identified and control measures are implemented under direction of appropriate personnel 
Maintenance program/s are established and monitored for internal and external parasite control 
Common hoof diseases and injuries are recognised and appropriate treatment or referral to specialist is arranged as required 
Common gait abnormalities are identified and reported and treatment is arranged in accordance with organisational procedures 
Hoof care and shoeing, including corrective measures, are appropriate to horses’ welfare and training program 
Effective communication with farriers is maintained and all records of work carried out are kept according to organisational requirements 
Regular hoof care routine for horses is implemented 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCHBR308A - Maintain horses in a healthy state and safe environment
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCHBR308A - Maintain horses in a healthy state and safe environment

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: