Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of providing daily care for horses and defines the standard required to: complete stable routines efficiently; complete daily horse maintenance; select horses for a range of purposes; catch and tie up horses; groom or rug horses as required by the organisation; clean and maintain equipment; work safely around horses.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to workers in the horse or livestock industries who are required to operate under routine supervision within organisation guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to work with horses

1.1. Work to be undertaken is interpreted from the work program where necessary, and confirmed with management.

1.2. Discussions are held with other workers who may be affected by the activities to ensure continued smooth operation of horse routines.

1.3. Tools and equipment suitable for the work to be undertaken are selected, checked, and maintained if necessary.

1.4. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained.

2. Clean stables and surrounding areas

2.1. Horse is checked for condition, health and soundness and removed from stable or secured appropriately.

2.2. Manure, soiled bedding and stale feed are inspected, removed, and abnormal conditions are reported.

2.3. Bedding is raked or forked and fresh quantities are added as required.

2.4. Feed bins, hay nets/bins and water troughs are cleaned thoroughly and troughs are filled with fresh water.

2.5. Walkways are swept and/or raked and manure removed.

2.6. Stale feed and manure is safely disposed of according to the organisation's environmental and waste management procedures.

2.7. Buildings or fixtures that are in need of maintenance or are unsafe are reported to the stable management.

3. Perform daily work program

3.1. Work program for each stable horse is carried out as instructed by the stud master or stable manager.

3.2. Horses are selected for professional services, prepared, and the contractor is contacted as required by organisational procedures or supervisors instructions.

3.3. Horses are prepared for specified daily work program as required by organisational procedures or supervisors instructions.

3.4. Horses are washed down after working, dried, rugged, returned to their stable and fed.

3.5. Work routines and performance records are kept and maintained as an integral part of the stable business.

4. Select, catch and tie up horses

4.1. Individual characteristics of horses are identified according to specified criteria and nominated animals are selected.

4.2. Selected horse is caught quickly and gently and working gear is fitted.

4.3. Legs and hooves of selected horse are inspected for abnormalities, cuts or damage.

4.4. Horse is led to work area or rail quietly and calmly and safely secured.

4.5. OHS hazards for handling horses are identified and safety concerns reported.

4.6. Horses are handled safely and within the organisation's and industry guidelines for animal health and welfare.

5. Groom and rug horses

5.1. Horses are groomed to enterprise standard.

5.2. Hooves and shoes are cleaned and checked for cracks, heat and other abnormalities, and dirt removed from the outer walls of the hooves.

5.3. Rugs appropriate to the conditions are fitted according to enterprises requirements, while taking care to avoid chafing and rubbing.

6. Clean and maintain stable gear

6.1. All gear is regularly checked for wear and damage.

6.2. Gear is thoroughly cleaned and polished and oils or preservatives applied as required as required.

6.3. Working gear is maintained or repaired as required to ensure safe horse working conditions.

6.4. Working gear and saddlery is cleaned and stored after use in line with organisation policy.

7. Monitor health and welfare of horses

7.1. Signs of good health and condition are identified.

7.2. Symptoms of common illnesses and injuries are recognised and reported.

7.3. The welfare of horses is monitored and maintained.

7.4. Basic first aid is provided for minor injuries.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• handle and care for horses
• complete basic hoof care procedures
• groom horses
• care for saddlery and equipment
• measure quantities required for feed
• identify hazards and follow safe work practices
• observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
• use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• horses and horse husbandry
• safe handling of horses
• horse health, horse behaviour and psychology
• care and maintenance of hooves and the lower limbs
• environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
• organisational procedures for care of horses
• sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours and debris from the livestock operations
• relevant legislation and regulations relating to waste and environment management, animal health and welfare, and employment of staff and contractors.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• complete stable routines efficiently
• complete daily horse maintenance
• select horses for a range of purposes
• catch and tie up horses
• groom or rug horses as required by the organisation
• clean and maintain equipment
• work safely around horses.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Horses may include:

• all breeds and types of horses.

Unit sector 

Horse breeding

Co-requisite units 

Competency field