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

assess vital signs of horses

communicate effectively to fulfil the job role including questioning active listening asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from appropriate persons

comply with relevant state and legislation and regulations including animal welfare and workplace health and safety

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

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

identify and administer different medications and treatments in accordance with directions

identify common illnesses and injuries in horses

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

maintain appropriate records

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

read understand and follow required policies and procedures including workplace health and safety infection control and waste management

recognise normal physical and behavioural signs in horses

use numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine and more complex workplace elements

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe hygienic and environmentally friendly waste handling and disposal procedures

Required knowledge includes

Knowledge of

anatomical features of the horse and the relationship between anatomy and health issues

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

appropriate horse housing

common horse behaviour social traits and vices

common illnesses and injuries in horses

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

equine dental programs

emergency protocols and quarantine measures

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

handling techniques for horses

horse health record systems

hoof maintenance programs

methods of restraining horses

parasite programs

principles and practices of infection control

principles of animal welfare

relevant legislation regulations and codes of practice including workplace health and safety animal welfare and ethics veterinary practices waste disposal and notifiable diseases

safe storage and disposal of medications and other remedies

signs and symptoms of communicable diseases

symptoms and indicators of normal and abnormal system function

understanding of the purpose and use of relevant medications and treatments for common diseases and injuries

vaccination programs

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

undertake health management programs for horses

determine emergency care procedures

ensure provision of safe compliant and secure housing arrangements for horses

apply safe horse handling procedures

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

follow workplace health and safety and animal welfare requirements

implement infection control procedures

determine horse health problems and treatment options in consultation with veterinarians and professionals as required

administer treatments as directed and monitor horses progress

accurately document and maintain appropriate records

The skills and knowledge required to maintain and monitor horse health and welfare 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 a an equine industry workplace with access to a variety of horses of different ages and sexes safe horse handling areas and the appropriate materials andor resources to enable one to demonstrate competence

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency of performance competency should be demonstrated to industry defined 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 practical skills assessment Suggested strategies for this unit are

written andor 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

thirdparty evidence

workplace documentation

case studies

portfolio

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

Health care protocols

Emergency care protocols

Safe horse handling procedures

Health status of individual horses

Infectious diseases

Nutrient elements

Structures of the digestive system

Impact of an unbalanced or deficient diet

Health records

Health care and management

Common illnesses or injuries

Professionals

Veterinary assistance

Pharmaceutical and therapeutic treatments