Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare the hooves of an equine to address particular needs and fabricate and apply an appropriate action (shoe or hoof protection) to alleviate problems.

The unit applies to individuals who have experience handling equines and who use specialised knowledge and technical skills to perform farriery services across different equine industry sectors.

Workplace 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.

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

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Farriery (FAR)

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 must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit. There must be evidence that the individual has:

• assessed and addressed the special needs of at least one foal or young equine
• assessed the needs of at least one equine (or realistic simulation) that:

• exhibits acute or chronic lameness
• presents with an injury or damage that can be addressed with farriery techniques
• engages in a particular sporting, working or other activity

• read at least one diagnostic image in consultation with a veterinarian and discussed equine symptoms and options for treatment
• discussed options and hoof care requirements relating to one equine with special needs, from the list above, with a veterinarian, other equine professional or equine owner/carer (or realistic role play)
• hand forged and/or modified pre-manufactured remedial shoes or hoof protection products to address a special need and trimmed hooves and fitted the shoes to at least two live equines.

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:

• equine anatomical features relevant to farrier services, including:

• lower limb and hoof and applicable biomechanical functions
• conformation, normal gait and abnormalities of gait
• characteristics of various breeds

• special requirements of equines, including:

• foals and young equines
• small ponies
• chronically lame or injured equines
• specialised heavy draught or carriage equines
• specific equine disciplines or sporting performances

• symptoms and presentation of faults and problems, including:

• injuries caused by the shoe, including capped elbow, overreach
• defective hooves, including flat or twisted hoof; weak or low heels
• injuries caused by gait abnormalities
• limb or hoof diseases and injuries requiring protection and pressure relief
• foal developmental orthopaedic diseases

• techniques to alleviate a range of conformation and/or hoof faults, defects and problems
• trimming techniques, including:

• effects of trimming on the stance and action of an equine
• limits of safe trimming and why these must not be exceeded

• types of shoes or hoof protection products, reasons for use and fitting techniques
• types of orthopaedic and therapeutic shoes or hoof protection products and modifications that may be made to address the needs of an equine with particular needs, including:

• modern acrylic therapeutic aids
• sole packs and hospital plates
• other types of hoof protection

• referrals to veterinarians and/or other equine professionals
• restrictions on advice that can be given and avoiding perceptions of diagnostic or treatment advice which must be given by veterinarians 
• key principles of animal welfare legislation as applied to farriery services
• safe work practices, including:

• identify hazards and control risks when interacting with equines
• manual handling
• using personal protective equipment (PPE)
• safe zones, equine handling techniques and use of restraints
• hygiene, cleaning and disease control
• safe waste handling and disposal.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a workplace or an environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting

• resources, equipment and materials:

• various equines with special needs, assessed as suitable to the skill and experience level of the individual, and/or appropriate simulations such as equine cadaver legs
• videos and/or case studies of equines with severe abnormalities and defects
• forge and welding facilities
• equipment, tools and materials needed to make or modify shoes for equines
• appropriate tack for equine and activity
• PPE correctly fitted and applicable to tasks for individual

• relationships:

• real clients, veterinarians and/or equine professionals or realistic scenarios or role play.

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