Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:41 PM AWST

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Maintain and monitor horse health

Maintain and monitor horse health

Unit of competency
National Code
ACMEQU422
State Code
ODV61
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
18/02/2022
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
25/05/2022
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
25/05/2022
Nominal Hours
70
Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to implement, monitor and review horse health care, including implementing routine health care plans, treating injury and disease, and responding to emergency health situations. The unit is applicable to other domestic equines.The unit applies to individuals who provide practical health care for horses. They work autonomously and apply specialist knowledge and skills to provide and communicate solutions for predictable and unpredictable problems.Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to interacting with horses apply to workers in this industry. Requirements vary between industry sectors and jurisdictions.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Relate horse physiological features to health care requirements
  • 1.1 Identify key physiological systems and functions of horses and indicators of normal and abnormal functions
  • 1.2 Relate temperature regulation to the overall health and wellbeing of horses
  • 1.3 Relate horse behaviour to signs of disease, illness or injury
2. Implement routine horse health care plans
  • 2.1 Carry out routine horse health care activities and preventative treatment plans according to workplace schedule
  • 2.2 Confirm observations and health care information are recorded for individual horses
  • 2.3 Implement biosecurity procedures to prevent potential spread of disease
  • 2.4 Maintain horse premises to optimise biosecurity requirements and horse health care according to animal welfare, legislative and licensing requirements
  • 2.5 Communicate health care and emergency procedures to relevant team members
3. Check and determine horse health
  • 3.1 Fit and use personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for activity and for infection control and biosecurity, as required
  • 3.2 Approach, handle and restrain horses using safe, low stress practices
  • 3.3 Assess horse condition and health status, identifying signs of healthy, distressed, sick or injured horses
  • 3.4 Assess potential impact of diet on horse condition and health
  • 3.5 Identify signs of infectious disease and isolate or quarantine horses according to workplace and biosecurity procedures
  • 3.6 Implement procedures and report notifiable diseases, where required to appropriate personnel or authority
4. Treat illness and injury
  • 4.1 Assess possible outcomes of routine illnesses and injuries with key personnel and determine need for professional advice or veterinary assistance
  • 4.2 Make treatment and management priority decisions based on animal welfare needs and potential ongoing impact of illnesses and injuries
  • 4.3 Assess and control risks prior to administering medication or treatments
  • 4.4 Administer medication or treatments according to veterinarian instructions, workplace procedures and legislative requirements
  • 4.5 Handle, store and dispose of medications and treatments according to legislation and workplace safety procedures
5. Monitor horse health care plans
  • 5.1 Monitor horses during and after treatments and report indicators of further health problems
  • 5.2 Maintain records and update details in horse health care plans
  • 5.3 Review program implementation and outcomes and provide feedback to management
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
BBE89 ACMEQU405 Maintain and monitor horse health and welfare Unit of competency