Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage stallion behaviour for breeding, including fitting equipment and training for reproductive activities.
The unit applies to individuals who are experienced working with horses, including stallions, and who use specialised horse breeding knowledge and skills. 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.
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. Select and fit equipment | 1.1 Carry out a risk assessment for all activities working with stallions, and take action to control risks 1.2 Prepare and check condition of handling equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) 1.3 Fit stallion with halter, or halter and bit or chain, and lead rein using safe horse handling techniques within safe working zones 1.4 Calmly and quietly groom stallions 1.5 Observe and note stallion characteristics and behaviour while being handled |
2. Work with and train a stallion | 2.1 Handle stallion safely according to workplace practices and duty of care to those nearby 2.2 Teach stallion to respect bit or chain 2.3 Lead and control stallions without mares in proximity |
3. Establish breeding service routine with stallion | 3.1 Establish routine for initial services to take place in the morning and afternoon to best replicate normal peak stallion hormone cycle 3.2 Ensure stallion handling equipment and preparation for serving is replicable to reinforce routine 3.3 Teach stallion to allow penis to be handled for wash-down prior to and after service, and to assist in penetration of vagina or artificial vagina according to workplace practices 3.4 Observe stallion penis for signs of injury prior to and after service 3.5 Record observations of behavioural changes and signs of illness or injury |
4. Work with stallion during breeding season | 4.1 Establish a routine that makes being with handler a calm and quiet place 4.2 Ensure the serving area is safe for handlers and horses, including informing others of breeding or collection activity to keep activity at a minimum 4.3 Communicate information clearly about covering process to other team members 4.4 Introduce stallion to mare 4.5 Teach stallion only to mount when both the mare (or dummy) and stallion are ready 4.6 Teach stallion to approach the mare (or dummy) from her near side hind quarter 4.7 Teach stallion to back away from mare once ejaculated, and return to yard or stable |
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 |
Writing | Record observations and notes accurately and legibly about stallion and mare mating behaviour and preferences |
Navigate the world of work | Follow regulatory and workplace procedures, including work health and safety, biosecurity and infection control, safe horse handling and animal welfare requirements, associated with own role in educating stallions for breeding |
Get the work done | Plan and sequence tasks; monitoring risks and progress and adjusting activities to achieve outcomes Use workplace technology, tools and/or systems to complete records and reports |
Sectors
Horse Breeding (HBR)