Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for and collect horse semen
- Follow workplace procedures for work health and safety, biosecurity and animal welfare when collecting semen
- Select and prepare appropriate equipment for semen collection, and personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for task
- Prepare, sanitise and calibrate equipment and tools used in processing semen
- Prepare stallion for semen collection in controlled area
- Collect semen from the stallion using hygienic and industry accepted collection techniques
- Complete post-collection procedures
- Process horse semen within required timeframes
- Ensure optimal temperature of incubator and other equipment and materials used to process semen before use
- Prepare diluent (semen extender) and additives to maintain sperm viability according to workplace procedures
- Determine number and volume requirements, and prepare semen doses
- Send semen samples for testing by a veterinarian if an infectious disease is suspected
- Assess quality of horse semen
- Examine semen batch and check for contamination
- Analyse semen to assess motility and other indicators of fertility
- Investigate reasons for any poor quality batches of semen, and notify and discuss with relevant personnel
- Test semen and extender batches for individual horses to determine viability and timeframes for use, and store correctly
- Complete records and supply horse semen
- Label and record details of semen doses according to workplace procedures
- Store semen at correct temperature to maintain viability and meet transportation needs
- Complete required documentation and records accurately and promptly
- Organise transport of semen to clients for artificial insemination of mares