Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor, implement and maintain horse health and welfare, including ensuring provision of safe, compliant housing; determining horse health problems; deciding on and administering treatment; and monitoring horse progress.
The unit applies to individuals who have experience and specialised knowledge and skills in the practical care and management of harness or thoroughbred racehorses, and have responsibility for a work activity or area.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, in accordance with applicable state/territory animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislative requirements.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit. Users are advised to check with the relevant Principal Racing Authority (PRA) for current 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. Plan horse health and emergency care procedures | 1.1 Develop health and emergency care protocols and programs and communicate to staff 1.2 House horses in suitable and approved premises maintained to health and safety standards specified by rules of racing and other regulations 1.3 Assess health status of individual horses 1.4 Review characteristics, signs and symptoms of healthy and sick or injured horses 1.5 Identify communicable diseases and implement control measures 1.6 Identify signs and symptoms of distressed or injured horses and prioritise horse for treatment |
2. Implement health management programs for horses | 2.1 Oversee health programs, including dental, vaccination, parasite control and hoof maintenance programs 2.2 Record data and compile and update health records |
3. Decide on treatment for horses | 3.1 Determine appropriate health care and management practices in line with stable and workplace health and safety procedures 3.2 Discuss prognosis for common illnesses and injuries with key stable personnel and/or trainer 3.3 Determine the need for veterinary assistance and/or specialist advice 3.4 Evaluate treatment options and select preferred option for common injuries and illnesses |
4. Administer treatment and monitor horse progress | 4.1 Assess and control risks prior to administering medication or treatments 4.2 Administer medication or treatments according to stable procedures, directions, and industry and animal welfare regulations 4.3 Confirm methods of administering medication, recording treatment and monitoring injectable medication 4.4 Administer medications, including oral and topical medications and inhalants, safely and ethically 4.5 Bandage horses using techniques and pressure to address injury 4.6 Monitor horse progress, reporting irregularities and maintaining records according to stable procedures |
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 veterinary and medical information in horse treatment programs and instructions from specialists Locate and interpret key information in medication labels |
Writing | Use clear language and accurate industry and/or medical terminology for reporting and recording horse health and welfare information |
Numeracy | Perform basic calculations and measurements of volume, weight and ratios to determine doses of medication |
Oral communication | Use active listening and questioning techniques to convey and receive information from a range of personnel |
Navigate the world of work | Follow workplace procedures, including safety and animal welfare requirements, and meet expectations relating to own role and area of responsibility |
Interact with others | Follow accepted industry practices and protocols for working collaboratively with and conveying information to trainers, staff and veterinary and health practitioners |
Get the work done | Plan, sequence and prioritise horse health and welfare activities to achieve outcomes Make decisions and resolve problems related to horse health and welfare, knowing when to take responsibility and when to notify others |
Sectors
Performance services horse (PSH)