Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to determine the impact of nutrition on the health and welfare of various classes of horses in providing allied health care to horses.
The unit applies to individuals who have responsibility for providing dietary advice in conjunction with the provision of health care to horses within equine industry sectors.
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.
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.
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. Relate elements of the equine diet to physiological function | 1.1 Classify nutrient elements according to the needs of the body 1.2 Identify the structures of the digestive system and describe the nutrient absorption and metabolism process 1.3 Describe features of a well-balanced diet and relate to horse health, condition and workload 1.4 Evaluate the impact of an unbalanced or deficient diet on horse health |
2. Evaluate the composition of common horse diets | 2.1 Analyse commonly available feed stuffs 2.2 Assess methods of feed stuff preparation regarding impact on nutrient availability 2.3 Evaluate quality of feed stuffs for nutritional and health value |
3. Assess factors that may affect horse condition relevant to nutritional requirements | 3.1 Classify horses according to a range of criteria, including body condition score, developmental age, class, activity and housing status 3.2 Evaluate options to adjust diet in relation to horse health status 3.3 Refer owner or carer to nutritional or veterinary specialist for specific dietary requirements and ration formulation advice |
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 | Interpret key nutritional information from feed and supplement documentation and horse condition from workplace records |
Numeracy | Measure quantities of feed components and supplements accurately |
Navigate the world of work | Follow workplace procedures, including safety, biosecurity and animal welfare requirements, and meet expectations relating to own role and area of responsibility |
Interact with others | Consult clearly and precisely with supervisors and equine health care providers |
Get the work done | Use structured problem-solving techniques to resolve nutritional problems using available information and resources Plan and prioritise daily tasks to achieve outcomes, and adjust activities to deal with contingencies |
Sectors
Equine (EQU)