Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SISOEQO418 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Apply anatomy and physiology to equine performance

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOEQO418 - Apply anatomy and physiology to equine performance
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply an understanding of the basic anatomical systems of horses and their conformation to their soundness and implications for performance.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those working in a horse establishment or organisation. It may include those working in private horse riding companies and outdoor education programs. It will equip them to understand the impacts of conformation on horse soundness and will assist to make appropriate choices when they acquire horses for their program. The unit covers a fundamental knowledge of horse anatomy and physiology to assist those responsible for horses in sport and recreational environments to identify equine soundness and performance issues.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Nil.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Determine the impacts of conformation on horse soundness and performance.
  • Identify the equine requirements for specific equine programs.
  • Identify functions of the internal systems of a horse.
  • Identify the common points of a horse to enable clear description of any performance-related problems.
  • Explain the connection between conformation and performance of a horse.
  • Use techniques to determine conformation faults that result in unsoundness and impact on the performance of a horse.
       
Element: Assess horse for suitability for use in different programs
  • Assess the health of individual horses in relation to anatomical systems
  • Assess the suitability of individual horses for different uses in relation to their conformation
  • Report findings to relevant parties.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 ability to:

apply knowledge of internal systems of a horse to determine soundness of a horse

use techniques to analyse and report on conformation faults and physiological capacities of a variety of horses and link these to their suitability for use in different equine programs

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

a private or commercial establishment with a variety of tack to meet the needs of different horses, and arenas or yards for riding and safe handling of horses.

multiple horses with a variety of conformation faults.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

oral and written questioning to identify conformation faults in a variety of horses and to describe how these relate to the soundness and performance of each horse

case studies requiring the analysis of performance problems of particular horses and the links to conformation faults

oral or written questioning to determine knowledge of the major internal systems of horses and their relationship to horse health and performance

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the individual.

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

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

report information on the conformation, anatomy and physiology and soundness of individual horses

literacy to collect and analyse information gathered about individual horses

problem-solving skills to:

assess the health of individual horses in relation to anatomical systems

assess the suitability of individual horses for different uses in relation to their conformation

apply knowledge of the impacts of conformation on horse performance to assist in solving problems related to individual animals

horse handling, testing and restraint techniques which ensure that the assessment of horses is carried out safely.

Required knowledge

anatomy and physiology of horses to enable the identification of health issues and the appropriate analysis of problems, including:

respiratory system

alveolus

diaphragm

larynx

lungs

nostril

pharynx

trachea

skeletal system:

bones

cartilage

joints

ligaments

muscles

tendons

circulatory system:

arteries

blood cells

heart

lungs

veins

capillaries

digestive system

caecum

diaphragm

intestines

kidneys

mouth

oesophagus

pharynx

stomach

teeth

reproductive system:

endocrine glands

male and female genital organs

oestrous cycle

pregnancy and foaling

nervous system:

brain

sensory and motor nerves

spinal cord

conformation faults and the implications of this information on horse health, movement and soundness, to enable appropriate understanding of individual horse potential

examination techniques to enable the accurate assessment of horse health, soundness and movement

points of a horse to enable clear descriptions of problems

work health and safety/occupational health and safety legislation relating to:

manual handling systems

adequate training for the actions to be carried out to enable safe and effective handling of horses

organisational policies and procedures for safe and effective handling of horses.

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.

Internal systems must include:

respiratory system.

skeletal system

circulatory system

digestive system

reproductive system

nervous system

Techniques may include:

flexion test

trotting up the horse

lunging

using a plumb line to check straightness of limbs

measuring the cannon bone, heart girth

checking teeth alignment.

Conformation faults may include:

base wide

base narrow

calf knee

club foot

cow hocks

ewe neck

offset cannons

overshot and undershot mouth

roach back

sickle hocks

sway back

upright pastern

upright shoulder.

Unsoundness may include:

chronic lameness

deformities

weaknesses

poor structures.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify the equine requirements for specific equine programs. 
Identify functions of the internal systems of a horse. 
Identify the common points of a horse to enable clear description of any performance-related problems. 
Explain the connection between conformation and performance of a horse. 
Use techniques to determine conformation faults that result in unsoundness and impact on the performance of a horse. 
Assess the health of individual horses in relation to anatomical systems 
Assess the suitability of individual horses for different uses in relation to their conformation 
Report findings to relevant parties. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOEQO418 - Apply anatomy and physiology to equine performance
Assessment task 1: [title]

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOEQO418 - Apply anatomy and physiology to equine performance

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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