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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Maintain horse environment
   • 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
2. Monitor and maintain a horse vaccination program
   • 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
3. Implement a horse health maintenance program
   • 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
4. Implement a hoof care and maintenance program
   • 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

Required Skills

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 andor 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 eg 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 hooffoot common hooffoot disorders such as thrush corns quarter cracks bruising and abscess infection transfer required quarantine procedures in case of localised infectious disease

Evidence Required

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 candidates 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 andor oral assessment of candidates required knowledge observed documented and first hand testimonial evidence of candidates 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

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Range Statement

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

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