Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to make arrangements for natural mating based on reproductive histories and observations of reproductive behaviour in horses.

The unit applies to individuals who use specialised knowledge and skills, have responsibility for a work activity, area or team, and provide and communicate solutions for a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems in the horse breeding sector.

No occupational licensing 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

Prerequisite unit of competency for this unit is:

• ACMEQU202 Handle horses safely.

Note the following chain of prerequisites that also applies to this unit.

Unit Sector

Horse Breeding (HBR)

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 has supervised at least one horse mating program involving natural mating, including:

• selecting stallions and mares for breeding based on:

• breeding principles
• breeding histories of individual horses
• availability of bookings

• facilitating arrangements for natural mating to occur
• updating and maintaining workplace records.

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:

• principles and practices for recognising horse reproductive behaviour, including:

• application of basic genetic theory to the development of an organisational breeding strategy and long-term planning
• basic genetic theories

• sexual and reproductive behaviour of horses:

• normal sexual behaviour of the stallion
• reproductive behaviour of mares
• seasonal breeding habits of mares

• principles and practices for supervising natural mating, including:

• anatomy and physiology of the reproductive organs and reproductive processes in horses
• breeding principles
• ovulation stimulation and synchronisation
• purpose of breeding records
• resource requirements
• semen collection and analysis.

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:

• various mares and stallions in breeding program assessed as suitable for handling for the experience and skill of the individual
• breeding histories and relevant reproductive information about individual mares and stallions

• specifications:

• work instructions, booking and administrative arrangements.

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