Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the nutritional requirements of horses to reflect their class, condition and purpose, and to plan and monitor the efficacy of feed programs.
This unit is applicable to individuals who have management responsibilities for maintaining horses in optimum health and condition and overseeing their nutritional requirements within the horse breeding sector.
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. Assess the nutritional requirements of individual horses | 1.1 Analyse the main nutritional requirements of specific horses and the role each nutrient plays in the body 1.2 Describe the symptoms or signs of nutrient deficiency and the consequences of dietary imbalances 1.3 Determine horse nutritional requirements in terms of horse class, condition, growth stage and reproduction status 1.4 Calculate feed requirements for horses using a range of measures |
2. Analyse and calculate the value and composition of feed and pastures | 2.1 Determine a range of food types and supplements suitable for horses of different class, condition, growth stage and reproduction status 2.2 Analyse the breakdown of foodstuffs in terms of their nutritional content and describe why they might be included in a ration 2.3 Analyse the nutritional value of common pasture species and weeds and seasonal changes in availability, digestibility and nutritional value 2.4 Calculate the impact of plant poisonings and chemical control as a result of spraying for weeds 2.5 Address the impact of contaminants and additives on drug testing and rules relevant to equine disciplines |
3. Plan feed programs for the workplace and design feed charts for the horse | 3.1 Determine availability of feed and pastures on a seasonal basis and analyse in relation to the nutritional needs of the horse with regard to class, condition and use 3.2 Design and maintain a feeding program for the workplace, including the supervision of other staff as appropriate 3.3 Design feed charts for each horse, including the formulation of rations to reflect the requirements of the horse 3.4 Design a feed program that is cost-effective 3.5 Evaluate and adjust nutritional value and cost-effectiveness of the feeding program based on evaluation outcomes |
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 | Access, interpret and analyse key facts and information about horse nutrition, feed and supplements from a range of sources |
Writing | Prepare logically structured and sequenced feed and nutrition plans and instructions |
Numeracy | Calculate the cost of feed items and quantities of feed required for horses to analyse cost-effectiveness for the workplace Determine measurements of products to be used in horse feed programs |
Navigate the world of work | Work independently or with others, taking responsibility for making decisions to manage horse nutrition and achieve workplace outcomes Ensure knowledge of equine nutritional requirements, products and additives, including regulatory requirements, is kept up-to-date in order to provide accurate information |
Get the work done | Apply systematic and analytical decision-making processes for complex and non-routine situations relating to managing horse nutrition and feed requirements for the workplace |
Sectors
Horse Breeding (HBR)