Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to handle and care for stallions, particularly throughout the mating process.
The unit applies to individuals who use specialised horse breeding knowledge and skills and have experience working with stallions. They have responsibility for a work activity, area or team, and provide and communicate solutions for a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems in the horse breeding sector.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit. Users are advised to check with the relevant Principal Racing Authority for current licence or registration requirements.
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. Prepare to handle stallions | 1.1 Identify work hazards, assess risks and implement suitable controls for activities involving stallions 1.2 Confirm the work program with management 1.3 Communicate with other workers to ensure smooth operation of the mating process 1.4 Research known behaviour of individual stallions to be handled, and advise others of any specific risks 1.5 Ensure workers involved with activities have the skills needed to safely handle stallions 1.6 Select, check and maintain tools and equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) used for safety and hygiene purposes |
2. Care for stallions | 2.1 Observe body language and behaviour of stallions before handling, and assess safety risks 2.2 Catch, groom and exercise stallions using safe horse handling techniques to maintain fitness and monitor for condition and general health 2.3 Parade stallion for prospective breeders to select according to workplace practices 2.4 Conduct checks and observe, identify and record changes in stallion behaviour and health 2.5 Comply with prescribed nutritional programs, and complete records 2.6 Monitor work hazards, assess risks and implement suitable controls on an ongoing basis 2.7 Maintain prescribed horse health routines throughout and between breeding seasons |
3. Serve mares or dummy | 3.1 Select and fit appropriate halter, bit and/or chain to control stallion 3.2 Approach mare to pre-tease 3.3 Identify and implement any additional requirements to ensure safe mating procedure 3.4 Allow stallion to mount mare or dummy safely 3.5 Ensure stallion ejaculates and dismounts mare safely 3.6 Collect semen for sampling or mating according to workplace procedures, and minimising stress to stallion 3.7 Wash stallion down according to workplace hygiene practices |
4. Complete hygiene and administration activities | 4.1 Clean equipment, collection and mating areas, and store equipment according to workplace procedures 4.2 Dispose of all containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris following environmental and biosecurity procedures 4.3 Complete all records and documentation |
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 information in written work program and instructions |
Writing | Record information relating to mating stallions accurately and legibly |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for following regulatory and workplace procedures, including safe work, safe horse handling practices, animal welfare and biosecurity requirements, in own role and work area |
Interact with others | Work cooperatively with a range of personnel in different roles using clear communication techniques to carry out mating activities |
Get the work done | Plan and sequence multiple tasks; monitoring activity and prioritising tasks to achieve outcomes Make decisions about routine mating activities, taking responsibility for actions taken Use workplace technology, tools and/or systems to complete records and reports |
Sectors
Horse Breeding (HBR)