Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to collect, process, analyse the quality of, and supply horse semen to clients for artificial insemination breeding.
The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work relating to artificial insemination. They complete routine activities dealing with predictable and unpredictable problems relating to their work in the horse breeding sector.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory animal welfare and health and safety regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
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 for and collect horse semen | 1.1 Follow workplace procedures for work health and safety, biosecurity and animal welfare when collecting semen 1.2 Select and prepare appropriate equipment for semen collection, and personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for task 1.3 Prepare, sanitise and calibrate equipment and tools used in processing semen 1.4 Prepare stallion for semen collection in controlled area 1.5 Collect semen from the stallion using hygienic and industry accepted collection techniques |
2. Complete post-collection procedures | 2.1 Handle and transfer semen safely and promptly to the processing area 2.2 Return horse to stable or designated area 2.3 Clean work area and equipment, and dispose of waste following workplace procedures |
3. Process horse semen within required timeframes | 3.1 Ensure optimal temperature of incubator and other equipment and materials used to process semen before use 3.2 Prepare diluent (semen extender) and additives to maintain sperm viability according to workplace procedures 3.3 Determine number and volume requirements, and prepare semen doses 3.4 Send semen samples for testing by a veterinarian if an infectious disease is suspected |
4. Assess quality of horse semen | 4.1 Examine semen batch and check for contamination 4.2 Analyse semen to assess motility and other indicators of fertility 4.3 Investigate reasons for any poor quality batches of semen, and notify and discuss with relevant personnel 4.4 Test semen and extender batches for individual horses to determine viability and timeframes for use, and store correctly |
5. Complete records and supply horse semen | 5.1 Label and record details of semen doses according to workplace procedures 5.2 Store semen at correct temperature to maintain viability and meet transportation needs 5.3 Complete required documentation and records accurately and promptly 5.4 Organise transport of semen to clients for artificial insemination of mares |
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 |
Numeracy | Use mathematical concepts to calculate ratio, percentages, volume and quantities related to semen collected Calibrate equipment and temperature |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for following industry and regulatory requirements for own role and area of work |
Get the work done | Plan, sequence and prioritise activities to achieve outcomes Carry out processing tasks efficiently to required timeframes Use workplace technology, tools and systems to complete records and documentation |
Sectors
Horse Breeding (HBR)