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

condition score the horse

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 elements of a nutritionally balanced diet and relate them to the function of horse body systems general health and behaviour

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and crossinfection considering zoonotic and exotic disease possibilities biosecurity

numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine workplace elements

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

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

use safe manual handling techniques and equipment

use safe hygienic and environmentally friendly waste handling and disposal procedures

Required knowledge includes

Knowledge of

anatomical and physiological structures features and functions related to dietary needs and the absorption and metabolism of nutrients

anatomical directional terminology

consequences of an unbalanced or deficient diet to horse function health and behaviour

equine allied health practitioners codes of conduct

factors affecting availability of nutrients to horses

feedstuffs commonly fed to horses and the general principles of a balanced diet for horses

impact of breed age workload and housing on diet

methods used to assess horse condition and general health

nutritional needs for different classes of horses

principles of animal welfare

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

signs and symptoms of an unbalanced or deficient diet in horses

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 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

locate the anatomical structures and define the process involved in nutrient absorption and metabolism in horses

classify the range of feedstuffs available in Australia for their nutrient value to horses

identify factors that affect nutrient availability in horse diets

evaluate the impact of an unbalanced or nutrient deficient diet on horse health and behaviour

identify the variation in nutritional demands for various classes of horse

classify horses by condition health age and housing status

provide advice to owners or carers on managing dietary principles in relation to equine health conditions and age status of the horse

The skills and knowledge required to determine nutrition needs in provision of horse health care 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 candidates required knowledge

observed documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidates application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

case studies

thirdparty 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 eg literacy and numeracy demands and the needs of particular target groups eg people with disabilities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people women people with a language background other than English youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds

Nutrient elements may include:

Structures of thedigestive system will include:

Impact of an unbalanced or deficient diet may include:

Feedstuffs may include:

Methods of feedstuff preparation may include:

Horse classifications may include:

Options to adjust diet may include: