Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of maintaining horse hooves in premium condition and defines the standard required to: handle and restrain horses of all classes for hoof procedures; use farriery tools to perform basic hoof care on horses; remove and replace shoes and clinch nails.

Application of the unit 

The carrying out of basic hoof care under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. The inspection and maintenance of hooves is performed within routines, methods and procedures, with necessary skills such as the basic use of farriery tools to complete routine hoof care.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to perform hoof care on horses

1.1. Work to be undertaken is interpreted from work program, where necessary, and confirmed with management.

1.2. Organisation requirements for the care and handling of horses within the guidelines of animal health and welfare are recognised and understood.

1.3. Discussions are held with other workers who may be affected by the activities to ensure continued smooth operation of the process.

1.4. Tools and equipment suitable for the work to be undertaken are selected, checked, and maintained if necessary.

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

2. Provide hoof care to horse

2.1. Basic farriery tools are selected for appropriate use.

2.2. Horses feet are picked up and hooves picked and cleaned according to set leg routines.

2.3. Legs are held and the hoof presented to allow treatment to be carried out efficiently and safely.

2.4. Basic hoof care (including routine trimming) is provided according to organisation guidelines and procedures.

2.5. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are continually identified while handling horses, risks assessed and suitable controls implemented.

3. Replace dislodged and loose shoes

3.1. Loose shoe is removed and straightened if required.

3.2. Loose shoes are tightened by re-nailing or application of extra nails.

3.3. Cast shoe is reapplied taking care to avoid injury to the animal and all nails are clinched.

3.4. Farrier assistance is called where corrective trimming or shoe shaping is required.

4. Complete maintenance and administration

4.1. Equipment is cleaned in according to manufacturer's specifications, organisational procedures and regulations.

4.2. Attachments and other ancillary equipment are cleaned and stored according to with manufacturer's specifications, organisational procedures and regulations.

4.3. All containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris from the operations are disposed of safely and appropriately.

4.4. All required documentation recorded accurately and promptly according to organisational requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• competently handle and restrain horses of all classes for hoof procedures
• handle horses and duties around them in a firm but calm, gentle and unhurried manner
• observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• the structure of the hoof and associated problems
• hoof care and shoeing procedures
• hoof injury
• the need to maximise hygiene practices and awareness.

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:

• handle and restrain horses of all classes for hoof procedures
• use farriery tools to perform basic hoof care on horses
• remove and replace shoes and clinch nails.

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.

Hoof care procedures may include:

• shoeing of all types and breeds of horses
• hoof care (in particular young horses, requiring regular attention to minimise hoof damage through cracking, cuts or abrasions).

Unit sector 

Horse breeding

Co-requisite units 

Competency field