^

 
 

Unit of competency details

ACMPHR504 - Manage equine nutrition (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Superseded
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Is superseded by ACMEQU501 - Manage horse nutrition and feeding plansRedesigned unit merging content of ACMPHR504 Manage equine nutrition, and ACMHBR501 Manage horse nutrition 17/Feb/2022
Supersedes and is equivalent to AHCPHR504 - Manage equine nutritionCode updated to reflect change of training package 28/Nov/2017

Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 29/Nov/2017


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  29/Nov/2017 
The content being displayed has been produced by a third party, while all attempts have been made to make this content as accessible as possible it cannot be guaranteed. If you are encountering issues following the content on this page please consider downloading the content in its original form

Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 

Comments 

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 1.0

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to manage the nutritional requirements of horses, including all aspects of feeding plan development, implementation and monitoring, the selection and management of pasture for horses, and responses to nutritional-related disorders and specific needs.

The unit applies to individuals who have responsibility for the management of the nutritional requirements of a diverse range of performance horses. It applies to individuals working in all horse industry sectors, including training and competition centres, stud farms, agistment centres and riding schools.

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

Nil

Unit Sector

Performance Horse (PHR)

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. Determine the nutritional requirements of horses

1.1 Identify credible sources of information on equine nutrition relevant to workplace needs, including scientific and technical literature, historical records and industry practice information

1.2 Analyse research findings to determine credibility, relevance and currency of information

1.3 Determine the nutritional needs of horses of various classes based on research findings relevant to workplace requirements

1.4 Apply relevant research findings to the management of workplace nutrition practices

2. Manage ingredients for horse rations

2.1 Determine suitable nutrients for inclusion in an equine diet according to the individual needs of each horse, availability, quality and cost

2.2 Organise laboratory testing to determine the quality and quantities of ingredients required for ration formulation according to workplace requirements

2.3 Implement safe, secure and hygienic storage of feed and ingredients

2.4 Calibrate measuring equipment and calculate quantities at regular intervals

3. Formulate and modify effective feeding plans, rations and methods

3.1 Develop a feeding plan to supply nutritional requirements to meet appropriate horse condition, performance and health outcomes

3.2 Formulate rations on the basis of identified nutritional requirements, digestive physiology and anatomy, and availability of feedstuffs

3.3 Implement feeding methods and techniques to support natural feeding behaviours

3.4 Adapt feeding plan to respond to variations in nutritional requirements and seasonal conditions

3.5 Apply a cost-effective approach to sourcing and supplying required nutrients

3.6 Assess and manage the environmental impacts of supplying feedstuffs

4. Monitor and manage the feeding of horses

4.1 Supply rations to horses according to feeding plan schedule and requirements

4.2 Ensure feeding records and feed orders are maintained, monitored and prepared according to workplace requirements

4.3 Monitor the implementation of the program using appropriate measures to ensure the goals of the feeding plan are achieved

4.4 Monitor and document reactions to changes in feed types, ingredients or schedules

4.5 Develop and implement a plan to manage documented adverse reactions to rations

4.6 Monitor, review and record the feeding plan and implement improvements and adjustments as required

5. Evaluate health implications of feeding plans, rations and methods

5.1 Monitor the health of horses for signs of inadequate nutrition or nutrition-related diseases

5.2 Research and implement solutions for identified nutrition-related health problems and seek veterinarian or other professional advice according to the type of problem

5.3 Implement alternative feed regimes, diets or methods to counter the effects of poor nutrition

5.4 Implement strategies to prevent the development of nutrition-related diseases

6. Manage pasture for horses

6.1 Identify and select pasture species on the basis of nutritional value, persistence under grazing by horses, and environmental requirements

6.2 Determine harmful effects of pasture species for various classes of horses, and develop a management strategy to ensure herd health

6.3 Identify and remove plants poisonous to horses from pastures and areas accessed by horses

6.4 Develop and implement a pasture management plan to maximise nutritional value, and minimise negative health and environmental impacts

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

  • Research, interpret and analyse key facts and information about horse nutrition and feed from a range of sources

Writing

  • Prepare logically structured and sequenced feed and nutrition plans and instructions

Numeracy

  • Measure and weigh products to be used in horse rations and feed programs
  • Use mathematical concepts to calculate nutrient budgets and costs
  • Calculate, sequence and adjust timelines in feeding schedules or plans

Navigate the world of work

  • Work independently or with others, taking responsibility for making decisions to manage horse nutrition and achieve workplace outcomes
  • Ensure knowledge of equine nutritional requirements, products and additives, including regulatory requirements, is kept up-to-date in order to provide accurate information

Interact with others

  • Use industry concepts, terminology and protocols for communicating with a variety of people in managing horse nutrition

Get the work done

  • Apply systematic and analytical decision-making processes for complex and non-routine situations relating to managing horse nutrition and feed requirements for the workplace

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version 

Code and title previous version 

Comments 

Equivalence status 

ACMPHR504 Manage equine nutrition

AHCPHR504 Manage equine nutrition

Code updated to reflect change of training package

Equivalent unit

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 1.0

Performance Evidence

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

There must be evidence that the individual has managed the nutritional requirements and feed program for a workplace that includes at least three horses with different nutritional needs, including:

  • identifying and evaluating feed types, pasture species and plants poisonous to horses
  • determining the nutritional needs of individual horses
  • formulating, supplying and storing rations for a range of horses to meet identified nutritional needs
  • assessing horse body condition score
  • undertaking independent research on equine nutritional and health topics and evaluating findings for credibility and relevance
  • formulating diets and managing equine nutrition based on knowledge of anatomy and physiology and relevant research findings
  • identifying and managing nutrition-related health disorders
  • managing pastures for horses to maximise nutritional content, control weeds and minimise environmental degradation
  • complying with regulatory requirements and workplace and industry procedures and practices relevant to role and managing horse nutrition, including:
  • animal welfare and prevention of cruelty to animals
  • work health and safety (WHS)
  • biosecurity
  • environmental sustainability.

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:

  • main structures and functions of the digestive system and the sites and mechanisms of digestion
  • rate of passage of different nutrients and feedstuffs
  • feed types and sources, including suppliers
  • feeding systems and storage methods
  • ration formulation methods
  • key nutritional needs of a wide range of horse classes, breeds, ages and categories
  • nutrient classes and their values
  • credible sources of information regarding equine nutrition, feeding and related health issues
  • process for organising laboratory testing and interpreting results
  • individual horse feeding behaviour
  • herd behaviour as it relates to supplying and managing nutrition
  • nutrition-related health and behaviour impacts
  • pasture species and plants poisonous to horses
  • pasture management techniques and the environmental impacts of horse grazing behaviour on pastures
  • key requirements of work health and safety regulations and guidelines relating to:
  • risk assessment, control and review
  • safe horse handling techniques
  • personal protective equipment
  • key requirements of animal welfare standards, policies and procedures relevant to the safe, humane and ethical care of horses
  • key requirements of biosecurity standards, policies and procedures relevant to feeding horses.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

  • a workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • various horses from different classes with different nutritional needs
  • range of feeds and pastures for horses
  • specifications:
  • information about different feeds and supplements, or technology to access the information.

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