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Unit of competency details

ACMEQU422 - Maintain and monitor horse health (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Current
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes ACMEQU405 - Maintain and monitor horse health and welfareTitle changed – 'welfare' removed as covered in separate unit. Element on 'diet' deleted as it is covered in a separate unit. Changes to terminology and updated Performance Criteria, Foundation Skills table and Assessment Requirements 17/Feb/2022

Release Status:
Current
Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 18/Feb/2022

Companion volumes:
Unit of competency Assessment requirements

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Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  27/Apr/2022 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 5.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to implement, monitor and review horse health care, including implementing routine health care plans, treating injury and disease, and responding to emergency health situations. The unit is applicable to other domestic equines.

The unit applies to individuals who provide practical health care for horses. They work autonomously and apply specialist knowledge and skills to provide and communicate solutions for predictable and unpredictable problems.

Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to interacting with horses apply to workers in this industry. Requirements vary between industry sectors and jurisdictions.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Equine (EQU)

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. Relate horse physiological features to health care requirements

1.1 Identify key physiological systems and functions of horses and indicators of normal and abnormal functions

1.2 Relate temperature regulation to the overall health and wellbeing of horses

1.3 Relate horse behaviour to signs of disease, illness or injury

2. Implement routine horse health care plans

2.1 Carry out routine horse health care activities and preventative treatment plans according to workplace schedule

2.2 Confirm observations and health care information are recorded for individual horses

2.3 Implement biosecurity procedures to prevent potential spread of disease

2.4 Maintain horse premises to optimise biosecurity requirements and horse health care according to animal welfare, legislative and licensing requirements

2.5 Communicate health care and emergency procedures to relevant team members

3. Check and determine horse health

3.1 Fit and use personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for activity and for infection control and biosecurity, as required

3.2 Approach, handle and restrain horses using safe, low stress practices

3.3 Assess horse condition and health status, identifying signs of healthy, distressed, sick or injured horses

3.4 Assess potential impact of diet on horse condition and health

3.5 Identify signs of infectious disease and isolate or quarantine horses according to workplace and biosecurity procedures

3.6 Implement procedures and report notifiable diseases, where required to appropriate personnel or authority

4. Treat illness and injury

4.1 Assess possible outcomes of routine illnesses and injuries with key personnel and determine need for professional advice or veterinary assistance

4.2 Make treatment and management priority decisions based on animal welfare needs and potential ongoing impact of illnesses and injuries

4.3 Assess and control risks prior to administering medication or treatments

4.4 Administer medication or treatments according to veterinarian instructions, workplace procedures and legislative requirements

4.5 Handle, store and dispose of medications and treatments according to legislation and workplace safety procedures

5. Monitor horse health care plans

5.1 Monitor horses during and after treatments and report indicators of further health problems

5.2 Maintain records and update details in horse health care plans

5.3 Review program implementation and outcomes and provide feedback to management

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 horse health care plans and veterinary or medical instructions relevant to health care requirements

Writing
  • Record and report information and data accurately using appropriate industry and veterinary terminology
  • Complete workplace records using print-based and/or digital formats

Oral communication
  • Use active listening and questioning to convey and elicit information and confirm understanding

Numeracy
  • Perform basic calculations and measurements of volume, weight, temperature and ratios relevant to health care

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version

Code and title previous version

Comments

Equivalence status

ACMEQU422 Maintain and monitor horse health

ACMEQU405 Maintain and monitor horse health and welfare

Title changed – 'welfare' removed as covered in separate unit

Element on 'diet' deleted as it is covered in a separate unit

Changes to terminology and updated Performance Criteria, Foundation Skills table and Assessment Requirements

Not equivalent

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

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 5.0.

Performance Evidence

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

There must be evidence that the individual has:

  • implemented scheduled routine health care plans for at least three horses, including at least two horses at different life stages and/or gender
  • maintained and monitored the health of at least one horse with an identified health issue, including:
  • assessed the health status and identified the health issue to be addressed
  • determined treatment option in consultation with a manager, veterinarian or other equine health practitioner
  • administered treatment/s as required and monitored horse progress
  • communicated horse health care, emergency and infection control procedures to at least one team member
  • maintained accurate records for:
  • routine health care plans for the three horses above
  • health issue and treatment specific to the individual horse above.

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:

  • basic structures and functions of horse physiological systems, including:
  • respiratory system
  • musculoskeletal system
  • digestive system
  • nervous system
  • reproductive system
  • importance of temperature regulation in horse health
  • basic indicators of normal and abnormal horse body system function
  • indicators and behavioural signs of health conditions, including those requiring emergency or immediate attention
  • features of routine health care and preventative treatment plans for horses, including:
  • dental programs
  • internal and external parasite control
  • vaccination
  • hoof maintenance
  • balanced diet
  • indicators of potential health problems and deficient diet, including:
  • condition score
  • coat and skin condition
  • appetite loss or changes
  • general demeanour
  • features of safe, secure housing for horse health, including isolation or quarantine arrangements where needed
  • common horse health conditions, including:
  • lameness
  • colic
  • wounds
  • feet and hoof conditions
  • eye conditions
  • 'ill thrift' or failure to thrive
  • main causes, consequences and relevant treatments or medications relating to common horse health conditions
  • types of medications that are prohibited or contravene rules for horses used in competitive sports
  • signs of infectious diseases, and procedures for managing, including requirements of notifiable diseases
  • safe interactions with horses, including:
  • situational risk assessment and control
  • low stress handling and interaction techniques
  • safe restraining methods
  • use of personal protective equipment (PPE) relevant to activity
  • workplace horse health record-keeping system and reporting procedure
  • importance of hygiene and infection control procedures
  • key requirements of relevant legislation and codes of practice, including:
  • biosecurity relating to notifiable disease, quarantine/isolation and transportation/movement of horses
  • work, health and safety relating to interactions with horses and safe storage and disposal of medications, treatments, chemicals and cleaning agents
  • animal welfare relating to the safe, humane and ethical care of horses.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

  • physical conditions:
  • an equine workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • live horses as specified in the performance evidence, assessed as suitable for the experience and skill of the individual
  • health care products and equipment relevant to providing care and treatment for horses in assessment activity
  • gear for horses and PPE for handler appropriate for activity
  • record-keeping formats
  • specifications:
  • workplace procedures, schedules and legislations for the tasks specified in the performance evidence
  • relationships:
  • team member
  • access to veterinarian or equine health practitioner for instructions.

The Companion Volume:User Guide: Safety in Equine Training provides advice and sample templates to assist assessors with the risk assessments that should be undertaken to help ensure the safety of all involved in the assessment.

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

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