Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to carry out daily tasks, including providing feed and water for horses, and cleaning and maintaining the work environment. It covers knowledge of potential risks and hazards when interacting with horses, and industry guidelines and procedures to ensure the welfare and safety of the individual and the horse.
The unit applies to individuals who have no experience, limited experience or no recent experience working in the relevant horse industry sectors. They undertake defined routine activities under supervision with limited responsibility for their own work. Working environments may include stables, paddocks and yards.
No licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, except for the racing industry, where requirements vary between states and territories.
Health and safety and animal welfare legislation relevant to interacting with horses applies to workers in this industry. As requirements vary between industry sectors and state/territory jurisdictions, users must 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.
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. Prepare to carry out daily tasks with horses | 1.1 Confirm and clarify work program and workplace procedures and practices with supervisor 1.2 Carry out a basic assessment of risk for interacting with horses prior to starting each task 1.3 Select personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for task and ensure correct fit 1.4 Identify WHS hazards and risks in the work area that are not able to be controlled within own work role and responsibilities, and report them to supervisor |
2. Maintain workplace health and hygiene | 2.1 Select cleaning and disinfecting products suitable for use around horses and people, according to workplace health and hygiene procedures 2.2 Clean and maintain work areas to remove and reduce dust, dirt and other environmental hazards that may affect horse and human health 2.3 Collect items for washing and repair, and replace with cleaned and/or repaired items 2.4 Organise for horse to be removed from stable, according to industry practices 2.5 Clean boxes and replace bedding, according to stable routine 2.6 Follow waste management disposal procedures to dispose of stale feed, soiled bedding, manure and other waste products 2.7 Clean, sweep and rake stable environment and yards 2.8 Lay bedding to depth required for individual horse needs and industry practices to prevent horses becoming cast |
3. Provide feed and water to horses | 3.1 Identify common feed types, feed preparation and storage requirements 3.2 Comply with safe operating procedures when collecting, lifting, carrying, handling and storing feed supplies 3.3 Clean feed and watering equipment and containers 3.4 Follow vermin and other contaminant control procedures 3.5 Prepare and distribute feed and water to horses according to stable routine 3.6 Identify, remove and report contaminated feed 3.7 Observe variations in individual horse eating and drinking patterns and report to supervisor |
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 |
Oral communication | Use active listening and questioning to clarify and confirm supervisor instructions Use industry-standard terminology to describe horses, equipment and the work environment |
Navigate the world of work | Follow workplace procedures, including safety and animal welfare requirements, relating to own role and work area Demonstrate a duty of care to self and others when working around horses |
Get the work done | Plan and sequence tasks and assemble resources required to perform daily tasks in the horse industry |
Sectors
Equine (EQU)