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| 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 in the performance criteria is detailed below. The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to manage horse health and welfare. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred racing stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas. |
Health and emergency care protocols may include: | advice to other organisations, as required by rules and regulationshorse management:comprehensive record keepingroutine health checksequipment and gear cleanlinesshandling and monitoring horseshazard identificationmaintaining first aid and treatments storesnotifiable diseasespermissible medication and treatmentsquarantine measuresveterinary or specialist advice and assistancestable and yard cleanlinessrisk control measures:controlling insects and rodentsdisinfection and hygiene measuresfire drillshealth programsisolation or quarantine of sick horsesmonitoring movement of horsesvaccinations and boosterswaste disposalstaff management:access to and administration of treatmentscommunication proceduresemergency drillsliteracy and numeracy skillstraining. |
Situations requiring emergency care may include: | acute illness, for example colicarterial blood losscommunicable diseaseelectric shockfracturefiretrauma, including track or road accident. |
Rules of racing and other regulations may include: | Australian and local rules of racing of the state or territory regulatory racing bodyLivestock Actlocal government regulations, for example:buildingsdisposal of wastenational and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfareOHS legislation and regulationsrace club and training track regulationsrules of racing related to prohibited substances, including substances listed below as well as other items defined by racing regulatory authority from time to time:acidifying agentsalkalising agentsanalgesicsantihistaminesanti-inflammatory agentsbronchodilatorsbuffering agentsdiureticsgeneral and local anaestheticshormonesmuscle relaxantsnarcoticsrespiratory stimulantssedativestranquillisersvasodilatorsvitamins administered by injection. |
Health status of individual horses is assessed: | by routine health checksprior to travelling or racingupon first entering stableswhen illness or injury is suspected. |
Methods to assess health status of individual horses may include: | checking for:illness or injuryshock or distresslamenesssorenesschecking quality and quantity of manure and urinefeeling for heat or swellingmonitoring feed and water intakemonitoring vital signsobserving behaviour. |
Communicable diseases may include: | anthraxequine influenzaglandershendra virusJapanese encephalitisrattlesringwormsalmonellosisstrangles. |
Indicators of communicable diseases may include: | blisters, ulceration or erosionsdead horsesnervousness or other behaviour changesprofuse, bloody diarrhoearapid spread of signs and symptoms throughout stablerecent overseas contactunexplained lethargy, listlessness or depressionunusually high numbers of sick horsessevere hacking cough. |
Health records information will include: | dates and times of:arrival at stablesassessing vital signsillness or injurytreatments and vaccinationsfeatures of horse identificationname of horsename of person administering treatmentprescribed treatments administeredtreatment instructionsvital signs at rest. |
Health care and management may include: | administration of treatmentscommunication procedures when horses are treateddisease prevention and controlemergency careemergency phone numbers, for example veterinarian or fire departmentpermissible treatmentsprocedure for recording treatmentsprocedure for recording and reporting vital signs routine health checksreplenishing supplies of first aid kitssystem of referral for injury treatmentstaff access to first aid treatments and materials. |
Common illnesses or injuries may include: | illnesses:circulatory disorderseye, nose and mouth disordersdigestive disordersmetabolic disordersmusculo-skeletal disordersneurological disordersrespiratory disordersskin disordersinjuries:bruisesfallsgirth gallsjoint injuriessprained ligaments or tendonsstrained musclestack rubswounds. |
Need for veterinary assistance may include: | horse may:be insuredhave to be treated with racing competition prohibited substanceshave to be withdrawn from competitionrequire prescription medicationrequire stitching or specialist injury management or treatmentillness may be:contagious conditionnotifiable diseasepassed on to humansillness or injury may be:life threatening or have consequences to ongoing career of horseresult of neglect or non-compliance with duty of care. |
Specialists may include: | chiropractorsdentistsfarriersmassage therapistsveterinary surgeons. |
Treatment options may include: | acupuncturechiropracticexercise, for example walking or swimminghydrotherapyice and heatlasermassagepharmaceuticalrestultrasound. |
Injectible medication may be given: | by adhering to animal welfare guidelinesin accordance with rules of racingintramuscularintravenousintra-articularsubcutaneousunder veterinary supervision. |
Injectible medication considerations include: | alcohol swabscorrect dosage of medicationcleanliness of surroundingsenlisting help of assistantfitting restraints, for example bit or twitchinjection siteinjection type:antibioticsvaccinationsvitaminsmethod of injection to suit prescribed treatmentneedle gaugerace meeting blood samplesprocedure for loading syringepreparing horse, for example skin swabbing or tappingrecord keepingrules of racingsterile needles and syringessharps containersyringe disposalusing only veterinary-prescribed substances. |
Inhalants may include: | oxygenprescribed veterinary treatmentssteam. |