Required skills

problemsolving skills to

select and formulate rations to meet individual horses nutritional requirements

assess the effects of additives and supplements on the performance of horses

adjust feeding regimes in response to changing horse behaviour and needs

planning and organising skills to

prepare individual rations based on nutritional requirements

feed horses within required time frames

monitor feeding regimes and make appropriate modifications

communication skills to liaise with relevant personnel to determine nutritional requirements of horses and appropriate feed additives and supplements

literacy skills to maintain and monitor feed records and follow instructions to prepare feed rations

numeracy skills to identify and correctly prepare and weigh up feed components and supplements

Required knowledge

common horse behaviour social traits and vices to enable feeding regimes to be implemented effectively

signs of changes in horse eating behaviour to enable problems to be identified and addressed

horse digestive system such as mouth and teeth stomach small and large intestines to enable identification and correction of feeding problems

feed sources and the role of energy protein fibre minerals and vitamins in food rations to enable feed to meet horses nutritional requirements

feed additives and supplements and their composition to enable potential effects to be monitored

nutritional principles and requirements with respect to horses age needs while spelling training and working to ensure appropriate composition of feed

poisonous plants and their effects on grazing horses and the nutritional values of standing feed

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

Evidence of the following is essential

applies knowledge of factors affecting the nutritional requirements of different horses in the work environment including the effects of additives and supplements to prepare and provide balanced diets and food for horses demonstrating an understanding of quality type and value of feed and needs of individual horses

completes tasks within nominated time frames and applies safe work practices when determining nutritional requirements of horses

applies effective contingency management techniques to make adjustments to feeding regimes in response to changing conditions such as signs of problem eating displayed by individual horses

documents and maintains feed records and adjusts in response to changing requirements

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure carrying out and monitoring feeding regimes individual horses on multiple occasions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

a commercial or private horse riding establishment with a variety of horses in various stages of preparation including paddocked horses

information about the properties of additives and supplements

appropriate feed additives and supplements and feeding equipment

organisational policies and procedures in relation to feeding horses

appropriate personnel

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

observation of interaction with horses during assessment of nutritional needs and implementation and monitoring of feeding regime

oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of factors affecting the nutritional requirements of a range of horses

portfolio of feeding records

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

RTEA Provide daily care for horses

RTE2121A Provide daily care for horses.

Appropriate personnel may include:

Nutritional principles may include:

Individual needs of horses may include:

Food rations may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Supplementary feed may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Criteria may include:

Individual feeding regimes may include: