Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage horses for stock work, including coordinating specialist services from veterinarians and farriers.
The unit applies to individuals, experienced in riding horses for stock work, who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within known parameters. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources, and provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems.
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.
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. Manage horse condition and health | 1.1 Develop and implement workplace procedures for maintaining health and welfare of horses in consultation with workplace staff 1.2 Assess, report and document soundness and working condition of horses in the workplace 1.3 Ensure proper selection, use and maintenance of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) 1.4 Identify unsound or unhealthy horses and diagnose or establish reasons for their condition, such as seeking veterinary advice where required 1.5 Administer treatment and implement management plan for unsound or unhealthy horses under supervisor or veterinary supervision, according to plan 1.6 Keep accurate records of horse identification, treatments administered and management plans |
2. Manage nutritional requirements of horses | 2.1 Develop and implement feeding plans for horses in the workplace, taking into account daily and seasonal factors affecting nutritional requirements 2.2 Provide supplementary feeding programs to workplace horses to ensure they are in optimum physical condition and health for stock work 2.3 Identify potential nutritional problems and take preventative or corrective action through the use or withdrawal of supplementary feeding 2.4 Develop and implement work programs for horses according to their condition and nutritional status |
3. Supervise activities and tasks requiring the use of horses for workplace personnel | 3.1 Conduct risk assessments for activities and tasks requiring the use of horses, and implement and monitor the measures to control these risks 3.2 Match horses in workplace to personnel by rider ability and suitability for tasks 3.3 Schedule tasks requiring the use of horses, and communicate details to appropriate staff 3.4 Coordinate tasks requiring the use of horses, and provide supervision to ensure that horses and personnel work within industry and workplace requirements 3.5 Coordinate breaking-in of horses by contractors or staff, and provide supervision to ensure that horses and personnel work within industry and workplace requirements 3.6 Provide inexperienced horses with stock training by experienced riders 3.7 Maintain regular communication with workplace staff and contractors to ensure smooth operation 3.8 Monitor outcomes of activities and tasks requiring the use of horses, and record in line with workplace requirements |
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 and check accuracy of textual and numerical information from a range of sources to determine and confirm work requirements |
Writing | Record and report specific information using workplace formats, and revise and update documentation based on outcomes of action |
Numeracy | Calculate quantities of resources and costs associated with horse health and feed programs |
Oral communication | Provide clear, sequenced instructions and respond to queries using terminology and concepts appropriate for the audience |
Navigate the world of work | Work independently and collectively within broad parameters, taking responsibility for plans, decisions and outcomes relating to work area Know own obligations and responsibilities relating to regulatory and industry requirements for due diligence and safety of staff and horses |
Interact with others | Follow accepted industry practices and protocols for working collaboratively with management and organising specialist services from veterinarians and farriers |
Get the work done | Plan, implement and coordinate multiple work tasks to achieve effective and efficient management of horses for stock work |
Sectors
Livestock (LSK)