Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to fit shoes to equines that exhibit a range of common faults and defects where the level of assessment and remedial technique is regarded as moderate. It includes the shaping, fitting and modification of shoes, including shoes to improve balance, ease break over, sole relief and various forms of clip placement.
The unit applies to individuals who use technical knowledge and skills to perform farriery services across different equine industry sectors.
Workplace health and safety and animal welfare legislation relevant to interacting with horses applies to workers in this industry. Requirements vary between industry sectors and state/territory jurisdictions. Users are advised to check with the relevant authority for specific requirements.
No occupational licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify shoeing needs of individual equines | 1.1 Handle equines to reduce stress and alarm, monitor behaviour to eliminate risks to equine or handlers according to workplace practices 1.2 Identify, fit and use personal protective equipment according to health and safety in the workplace procedures 1.3 Observe gait and conformation, including trotting the equine in different patterns to identify any signs of lameness 1.4 Observe and identify moderate faults and defects that may be alleviated 1.5 Adopt a working position that maintains comfort of the equine and ensures comfort and personal safety 1.6 Use appropriate tools to remove shoes, ensuring no damage is caused to the hooves 1.7 Clean hooves of foreign bodies in a safe handling manner to facilitate examination of the hoof 1.8 Examine the shoe and assess implications of the wear pattern 1.9 Report any conditions requiring higher-level treatment by a veterinarian or other specialist 1.10 Amend the shoeing plan, taking into account conditions of the hooves not previously identifiable |
2. Trim and prepare hooves | 2.1 Use farriery tools to trim and prepare hooves to achieve balance, level and shape, and to correct any identified hoof defects 2.2 Conduct trimming operations without injury to equine hooves 2.3 Check work while in progress and on completion to ensure quality outcomes of hoof preparation have been achieved |
3. Fit shoes | 3.1 Make and/or select and modify the correct type, material and size of shoes according to shoeing plan 3.2 Select suitable tools to fit shoes according to equine needs 3.3 Shape selected shoes to incorporate any ancillary features as determined by the shoeing plan 3.4 Fit shoes to fore and hind hooves and assess the need for any final adjustments 3.5 Make final adjustments to the shape and size of the shoe and any ancillary features to achieve correct fit |
4. Attach shoes and finish shoeing process | 4.1 Select suitable tools and appropriate size nails for attaching and clenching shoes 4.2 Attach the shoe safely, securely and in the correct position 4.3 Finish the hoof using clenching process, and assess the finished job and welfare of the equine 4.4 Assess finished work to ensure the equine is more comfortable and the condition of the hoof is likely to improve 4.5 Inform the responsible person of farriery procedures completed, and advise on future hoof care requirements and the welfare of the equine 4.6 Update records of service according to workplace practices |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Writing | Record specifications and shoeing plans for individual equines accurately in workplace documentation |
Numeracy | Use measuring devices and take measurements accurately |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for adherence to workplace procedures, including safety, animal welfare and infection control and biosecurity requirements, relating to own role and work area |
Interact with others | Follow accepted communication practices and protocols for reporting information to clients and equine specialists using industry-standard terminology and concepts suitable for audience Participate in conversations providing firm and clear information relating to equine health and animal welfare issues |
Get the work done | Observe and examine equines, using safe handling techniques, to determine hoof and shoe care requirements Plan, sequence and prioritise tasks and assemble equipment to make shoes to meet specific requirements of equines |
Sectors
Farriery (FAR)