This unit applies to those working as horse riding guides who are responsible for guiding day and or overnight rides in an uncontrolled environment and are also responsible for the welfare of horses. This may include those working for private horse riding companies or group leaders in school outdoor education programs.
SISEQO304A Apply first aid for horses
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide. |
1. Assess horse's condition. | 1.1. Identify and confirm signs of illness or injury according to organisational policies and procedures. 1.2. Assess severity of condition according to organisational policies and procedures. 1.3. Determine the most appropriate course of action to manage the condition according to organisational policies and procedures. 1.4. Determine options for accessing veterinary assistance after consideration of contextual issues. 1.5. Identify available equipment and resources. |
2. Treat illness or injury. | 2.1. Restrain the horse as required according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 2.2. Apply basic and or emergency First Aid procedures according to the needs of the sick or injured horse according to, organisational policies and procedures. 2.3. Apply safe working practices to reduce the risk of injury to self and others according to organisational policies and procedures. 2.4. Calm and reassure cast horse and return to its feet if appropriate in a safe manner according to organisational policies and procedures. |
3. Monitor horse's condition. | 3.1. Monitor horse's condition and response to treatment, and recognise contraindications. 3.2. Reassess treatment and amend management plan appropriately in response to changes in horse's condition. 3.3. Monitor and record, where appropriate, horse's vital signs at regular intervals. 3.4. Recognise signs of deterioration in horse's condition and their implications. 3.5. Complete documentation requirements according to organisational policies and procedures. 3.6. Perform, where necessary, euthanasia in a calm and humane manner according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 3.7. Treat carcass according to health regulations and organisational policies and procedures. 3.8. Assess trauma experienced by riders in the event of euthanasia, and recommend counselling as appropriate. |
Required skills |
problem-solving skills to: determine and implement a course of action to manage the horse's condition modify the treatment in response to changing or deteriorating condition evaluate options for veterinary intervention language and literacy skills to document treatment details and outcomes personal horse riding and handling skills to a high level of technical correctness to safely handle and control the horse ability to perform euthanasia, where necessary, in a calm and humane manner |
Required knowledge |
relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe and appropriate management of horse injuries and illnesses horse handling techniques to maintain safety of horse during treatment of injuries and illnesses behaviour patterns and characteristics of horses to enable recognition of changing behaviour as a potential indicator of illness or injury safe work practices to reduce injury whilst assessing and treating horses hygiene practices when treating horses to prevent infection from injured or ill horses ailments and injuries that may occur in remote areas and working in difficult terrain to enable recognition and prompt response in treating them horse First Aid techniques to manage injury and illness in a remote area anatomy and physiology of horses to enable vital signs to be monitored basic treatments for common horse ailments to enable these to be managed appropriately appearance and behaviour of unhealthy horses to identify and respond to signs of injury or illness. |
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. | |
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the following is essential: utilises knowledge of anatomy and physiology and behaviour of horses to recognise and assess severity of horse's injury or illness works within the constraints of a remote area to determine and implement a course of action to safely and effectively manage the horse's condition according to organisational policies and procedures monitors condition of the horse and applies effective contingency management techniques to ensure horse's health and welfare and adjusts management of illness or injury in response to changing condition of horse completes documentation in relation to the management or illness or injury. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure planning, implementation and evaluation of multiple injury or illness treatment plans to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance. Assessment must also ensure access to: a horse riding establishment horses of varying physical conditions appropriate horse first aid equipment veterinarians organisational policies and procedures. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: observation of assessment of injured or ill horses and application of appropriate action to manage horses condition oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of common horse ailments and their management portfolio of case studies providing evidence of management of horse illness or injury and documentation completed third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance. Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: SISOEQO413A Guide trail rides in remote areas. |
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. | |
Signs of illness or injury may include: | drooped head tucked up excess body condition harsh coat tight skin dull eye, discharges cold ears hot or puffy legs, heat in feet short or uneven stride excessive lying down laboured breathing refusing food broken limbs cuts or lesions lumps on or beneath skin inability to urinate, or urine of unusual colour inability to pass manure, or excessive scouring or constipation abnormal sweating. |
Organisational policies and procedures may include: | risk management procedures occupational health and safety assessment procedures referral procedures reporting and documentation requirements management of horse injury or illness handling and restraining horses communication protocols first aid and emergency procedures industry rules and regulations code of ethics. |
Contextual issues may include: | weather conditions, including times season transport location trip distance and duration group objectives group size. |
Relevant legislation may include: | occupational health and safety permits or permission for access environmental regulations. |
Horse's vital signs may include: | breathing pulse. |
Documentation requirements may include: | details of horse's condition changes in condition treatment response to treatment. |
Outdoor Recreation
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.