Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of assisting with the natural mating of horses and defines the standard required to: prepare and handle wet and dry mares for teasing; detect oestrus cycles; monitor mating or artificial insemination and take remedial action where needed; assist at foaling by monitoring foaling mares and reporting problems and record data of mare mating and foaling.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to working with limited responsibility within enterprise guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare mares for teasing and mating

1.1. Mares displaying signs of oestrus in the paddock are identified and advice provided to supervisor.

1.2. Mares are mustered safely and quietly from paddock to teasing yards using appropriate handling procedures.

1.3. Mares are handled for teasing using appropriate handling procedures.

1.4. Mare is restrained using appropriate restraining methods

1.5. Mare's reaction to the teaser is noted and reported to supervisor.

1.6. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained.

1.7. Natural mating or artificial insemination procedures are implemented.

1.8. Mares are returned to foals and settled after mating or AI.

2. Handle mares for routine veterinary reproductive procedures

2.1. Mares are led into crush, ensuring safety and wellbeing of both mare and foal, if present.

2.2. Mare and foal are handled to ensure both are settled and safe.

2.3. An appropriate restraint method in the crush is used.

2.4. Assistance is provided to the veterinarian to prepare for examination of the mare when necessary.

3. Care for and handle in-foal wet and dry mare

3.1. External genitalia and udder of mares are examined using correct procedure.

3.2. In-foal mares are examined for general health and wellbeing and possible signs of abortion.

3.3. Mares close to foaling are identified and advice provided to supervisor.

3.4. Mares with foals at foot and the foal are examined for general health and wellbeing.

4. Assist with foaling down mares

4.1. Observe for signs of impending parturition in the mare.

4.2. Ensure foaling mares are in a secure place where they can be observed and assisted if required.

4.3. Report variations to the normal foaling pattern that may suggest difficulties.

4.4. Observe that the newborn foal is able to stand and then treat the broken umbilical cord.

4.5. Observe the condition of the mare including the expulsion of the placenta and mothering behaviour.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• identify hazards and follow safe operating procedures
• handle mares and foals safely and quietly
• check for health and wellbeing of mares and possible signs of abortion
• use a variety of teasing methods
• use a variety of restraints
• use safe work practices
• ensure animal welfare practices are used
• communicate effectively with other team members, veterinarians and supervisors
• use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• caring for and handling in-foal mares
• caring for and handling mares with foals at foot
• signs of oestrus
• signs of abortion
• signs of imminent foaling in mares
• teasing methods
• restraint methods used during teasing
• restraint methods used in the crush
• general health and wellbeing signs in mares
• foaling process in mares and signs of abnormalities
• relevant State/Territory legislation, regulations and Codes of Practice with regard to workplace Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), environment and animal welfare
• enterprise and industry policies with regard to recording and reporting routines.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• prepare and handle wet and dry mares for teasing
• detect oestrus cycles
• monitor mating or AI and take remedial action where needed
• record data of mare mating.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Mares may include:

• those who may be in-foal, wet or dry and be of any type or breed.

Mating may include:

• mares mated naturally or artificially inseminated.

Unit sector 

Horse breeding

Co-requisite units 

Competency field