Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare yearlings and other classes of stock, such as weanlings and mares, for the show ring and for sale. It includes washing, grooming, exercising and feeding horses.
The unit applies to individuals who use specialised horse knowledge and skills, 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.
No 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. Prepare horses for grooming and exercise | 1.1 Identify hazards and risks to yearlings and other horses, and take action to control 1.2 Ensure horses are familiarised to being in proximity to people and activity 1.3 Teach horses to be tied up using safe and ethical horse handling techniques 1.4 Teach horses to accept brushing all over, including manes and tail, and pick feet out 1.5 Fit and familiarise horse to tack and equipment prior to sale or exhibition 1.6 Ensure records for individual horses are maintained and updated |
2. Exercise and wash horses | 2.1 Ensure hooves are trimmed and shod to conformation requirements and according to workplace procedures 2.2 Exercise yearlings according to workplace practices 2.3 Introduce yearlings to stable or small yard and wash bay 2.4 Wash, scrape off and dress over horses 2.5 Increase exercise time as appropriate for horse, and spend time hand walking 2.6 Teach horse to lead and stand up according to workplace practices |
3. Develop and oversee a feeding program | 3.1 Calculate nutritional requirements of horses 3.2 Determine individual feeding plans for horses 3.3 Adjust nutrition and feeding program to achieve desired result at time of sale |
4. Prepare horses for sale day presentation | 4.1 Ensure coats are well brushed and blooming, manes tidied and tails trimmed up 4.2 Teach horses to stand in the correct fashion and stand in one position for a period of time 4.3 Teach horses to walk and parade to workplace requirements 4.4 Arrange for photos and/or videos to be taken according to workplace practices 4.5 Arrange for shoes to be fitted prior to sale or exhibition according to workplace practices |
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 | Analyse workplace records to determine work requirements relating to preparing horses for sale |
Writing | Enter observations and data into workplace records accurately and legibly |
Numeracy | Calculate quantities, and weigh and measure feed components and supplements accurately for horses |
Navigate the world of work | Follow regulatory and workplace procedures, including work health and safety, safe horse handling, biosecurity and animal welfare requirements, associated with own role and work area |
Interact with others | Work collaboratively with a range of personnel to organise activities for sale day presentations |
Get the work done | Plan and sequence tasks; monitoring activity and prioritising tasks to achieve work outcomes Make decisions about routine activities, taking responsibility for actions taken Use workplace technology, tools and/or systems to complete records and reports |
Sectors
Horse Breeding (HBR)