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.

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 satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when feeding horses under direction

implementation of procedures to complete horse feeding tasks safely, effectively and efficiently

working with others to undertake and complete horse feeding tasks that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of harness and thoroughbred horses of different ages and sexes in racing stable and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

a range of harness and thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to implement feeding programs for horses under direction

safe handling areas, such as racing stables

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

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 (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. 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).

Required skills

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and feed merchants using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to implementing feeding programs

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

following instructions

identifying and correctly using different feed components and feed supplements

identifying individual horses

identifying changes to horse feeding behaviour

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing

recognising changes in condition of horses

recognising spoiled feed

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

reporting problems promptly

understanding horse digestive system

using feed weighing scales

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation.

Required knowledge

basic horse digestion

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common horse behaviour, social traits and vices

feed and feed supplements

feeding principles, including racehorse nutritional requirements

interaction between feed and supplements that may result in contravention of industry regulations

quality, type and value of feed

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

weights and energy value of feeds.

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 implement feeding programs for racehorses under direction. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Quality and suitability of feed and feed supplements may include:

recognising quality of feed:

age

presence or absence of mould

rodent or other spoilage

type of grass or grain species

recognising:

electrolytes

herbal remedies

prescribed additives

vitamins and minerals

recognising and evaluating pre and post-race feeds

understanding basic digestive system

understanding feeding principles.

Preparation and distribution of feeds will include:

adhering to enterprise's feeding time requirements

changing rations, as directed, to suit local conditions:

high energy feeds for racing animals

spelling feeds for horses coming into work or being let down

climate

damping feeds as required

ensuring prepared feed is given to correct horse

following relevant rules of racing related to feed additives

following safe horse handling practices

maintaining enterprise's safe feed preparation procedures:

cleaning buckets, feed and water containers

following instructions related to feed mixers and grain crushers

minimising dust

using dust masks

using safe lifting and handling techniques

washing hands

reading and following feed rations lists and directions

recognising spoiled or contaminated feeds

recognising and adding prescribed supplements

understanding common horse behaviour

using feed weighing scales.

Contaminants may include:

accidental introduction of banned substances through use of supplements

chemicals

foreign objects in bagged or premixed feed

moisture, humidity or heat

mould

rodent, bird or bat droppings.

Feed inventory checking and reporting may include:

checking quality of remaining feed

checking receipt of supplies

confirming order with supervisor

counting remaining bales of hay, bags of feed and supplements

estimating ongoing supplies for designated period

ordering supplies

reading and writing feed inventory.

Individual eating and drinking variations may include:

aggression when feeding

drinking more or less water than usual

eating bedding

eating dirt or sand

leaving feed or feed components

playing with water

scattering or flinging feed

quidding.

Condition of horses may include:

becoming tucked up

changing consistency, odour or frequency of manure or urine

developing a dull or rough coat

developing a nervy disposition

losing or gaining weight.

Common problems related to incorrect feeding may include:

contravention of rules of racing

colic

diarrhoea

leg swelling

laminitis

exertional rhabdomyolosis (tying up).