Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Anatomical features may include:
cell
systems:
cardiovascular
digestive
hepatic
integumentary
lymphatic
musculo-skeletal
nervous and endocrine
reproductive
respiratory
tooth structure
urinary.
Others may include:
veterinarians
colleagues
handlers or attendants
other equine allied health care providers
owners or carers.
Cellular biology may include:
basic cell anatomically and physiologically
cell division
cell metabolism
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
Components of the integumentary system may include:
skin
mucus membranes
hair
hooves
keratin
fibrous tissue (‘scar’)

Components of the musculo-skeletal system may include:
bones of the body
bones of the head, jaw and neck
bone structure
joints
ligaments
tendons
muscles of the head and neck
major muscles
muscle tissue
teeth and tooth structure; periodontium.
Components ofthe respiratory system may include:
nostrils (nares)
pharynx
larynx
trachea and bronchi
lungs
diaphragm
rib cage and intercostal muscles
Components ofthe cardiovascular system may include:
blood vessels, covering all five types of vessels including:
arteries
veins
blood cells
blood circulation
lymphatic circulation
heart.
Components ofthe digestive system may include:
lips
oral cavity (mouth)
teeth
tongue
pharynx
epiglottis
oesophagus
spleen
liver
stomach
duodenum
small intestine
small colon
large colon
caecum
rectum
anus
smooth muscle function and peristalsis
blood and lymphatic circulation.
Components ofthe reproductive system may include:
endocrine glands
male and female genital organs
oestrous cycle
pregnancy and foaling.
Components ofthe nervous and endocrine systems may include:
endocrine glands
hypothalamus and pituitary axis
hormonal influences on oestrous cycle, pregnancy and foaling
central and peripheral nerve cells
oestrous cycle
pregnancy and foaling
sensation including noxious response
spinal nerves
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
cranial nerves.
Components ofthe immune systems may include:
inflammation and immune responses and wound healing
lymph nodes
lymphatic vessels/circulation
spleen
thymus.
Components ofthe hepatic system may include:
digestion of fats and role of bile
liver.
Components ofthe urinary system may include:
bladder
kidneys
urinary tract (ureters, urethra)
Horse behaviour problems may include:
bed eating
bolting food
box walking
bucking
crib biting
jibbing
kicking or biting staff or other horses
pushing or barging
rearing
reluctance to eat
rug chewing
weaving
wind sucking.
Disease, illness or injury may include:
skeletal and muscular systems:
bog spavin
bone chips
bone spavin
bowed tendon
degenerative joint disease (DJD)
muscle myopathies
muscle strain
navicular disease
sesamoiditis
shin soreness
splints
stifle joint lameness
suspensory ligament injury
tendonitis
windgalls
respiratory system:
acute respiratory syndrome - Hendra Virus
air passage inflammation
bleeding
equine herpes virus
equine influenza
heaves
pneumonia
roaring
strangles
circulatory system:
cardiac abnormalities
epistaxis
myocardial disease
digestive system:
botulism
colic
quidding
choke
‘colitis x’
dysphagia
enteritis
hepatitis.
Treatment may include:
acupuncture
bandaging techniques
chiropractic
dentistry
electromagnetic
exercise, for example walking or swimming
hydrotherapy
cold and heat
immobilisation
laser
magnetic
massage
pharmaceutical
physiotherapy
rest.

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
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
describe and locate anatomical and physiological features of horses using veterinary terminology
explain the function and interaction of body systems
evaluate a range of ailments and diseases that could occur in horses and their impact on other body systems
identify horse behaviour characteristics that indicate distress or illness
make informed decisions on prioritising general classes of treatments provided by allied equine health care providers to maintain the health and well-being of horses.

The skills and knowledge required to relate equine anatomical and physiological features to equine health care requirements must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment for this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an equine allied health workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to a range of horses and anatomical models and the relevant equipment and resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.
Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry standards, on more than two occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include assessment of competency in a work environment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:
written and oral assessment of candidate’s required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate’s application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
case studies
third-party evidence
workplace documentation.

This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socio-economic backgrounds).