Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to evaluate a range of ailments and diseases that could occur in horses and describe their impact on other body systems and the health of horses.

The unit applies to individuals who have responsibility for providing health care to ensure the wellbeing and efficient physiological function of horses within the equine industry.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory 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.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Equine (EQU)

Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria of this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual applied knowledge of equine anatomical and physiological features in assessing the equine health care requirements for at least two different horses, including:

• evaluating a range of ailments and diseases and their impact on body systems
• observing and identifying horse behaviour characteristics that indicate distress or illness
• making informed decisions on prioritising treatments to maintain the health and wellbeing of horses.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• anatomical and physiological structures, features and functions
• interactions and relationships between body systems
• anatomical directional terminology
• causes and consequences of horse ailments, infections and injuries
• contagious disease symptoms, prophylaxis and biosecurity protocols
• key features of equine allied health practitioner codes of conduct
• equine health therapies and treatments
• indicators of horse distress, illness and disease
• industry, veterinary and anatomical terminology related to equine allied health care
• normal and abnormal characteristics of equine behaviour
• key principles and practices of animal welfare relating to health care requirements of horses.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a workplace, or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

• resources, equipment and materials:

• access to information on horse anatomical features, systemic and pathophysiologic systems of horses and horse diseases, illnesses and injuries
• profiles or case studies of two horses with different health care requirements.

Training and assessment strategies must show evidence of the use of guidance provided in the Companion Volume: User Guide: Safety in Equine Training.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103