Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain horses in a healthy state, including maintaining a safe horse environment, assisting with vaccination programs, and implementing horse health and hoof care programs and maintenance.
The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They complete routine activities and work in a range of known contexts within horse breeding or other horse industry environments.
No occupational licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Work 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.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.
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. Maintain horse environment | 1.1 Assess risks and implement control measures within horse environment 1.2 Arrange housing to meet the individual needs of the animal 1.3 Maintain animal environment according to animal welfare principles and workplace requirements 1.4 Clean and maintain food storage areas and water supply 1.5 Establish and monitor routine cleaning and maintenance programs for stables, yards and paddocks |
2. Assist with a horse vaccination program | 2.1 Identify vaccination requirements for different horse classes 2.2 Maintain vaccination program according to agreed schedule and supervisor instructions 2.3 Maintain accurate vaccination records |
3. Implement a horse health maintenance program | 3.1 Conduct regular check of animals for signs of illness or injury using safe horse handling techniques 3.2 Identify causes and symptoms of common illnesses, injuries and parasitic infections, and provide treatment under supervision 3.3 Detect internal and external parasites and assess their impact 3.4 Identify communicable diseases and implement control measures 3.5 Establish maintenance program and monitor internal and external parasite control |
4. Implement a hoof care and maintenance program | 4.1 Recognise common hoof diseases and injuries and provide appropriate treatment or refer to specialist 4.2 Identify and report common gait abnormalities and arrange treatment 4.3 Ensure hoof care, shoeing, and corrective measures are appropriate to horse welfare and training program 4.4 Maintain communication with farriers and update work records according to workplace procedures 4.5 Maintain regular hoof care routine |
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 |
Reading | Interpret key information in horse health programs |
Writing | Keep accurate records of horse health and treatments |
Numeracy | Measure and interpret temperature, respiration rate, hydration, and heart rate |
Oral communication | Participate in verbal exchanges to convey and elicit information about horse health maintenance with a range of personnel |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for following workplace procedures, including safe work, safe horse handling practices and animal welfare principles, relating to own role and work area |
Interact with others | Develop and maintain strong reporting relationships with supervisor Support and liaise with health practitioners in handling and providing treatments to horses |
Get the work done | Plan and sequence tasks and organise resources to complete work activities; monitoring outcomes and adjusting plans to address priorities and contingencies |
Sectors
Horse Breeding (HBR)