Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:51 PM AWST

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Manage horse nutrition and feeding plans

Manage horse nutrition and feeding plans

Unit of competency
National Code
ACMEQU501
State Code
ODV66
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
29/03/2022
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 to manage the nutritional requirements of horses, including feeding plan development, implementation and monitoring, selection of feed and pasture for horses, and responses to nutrition-related disorders and specific needs. It applies to all horse industry sectors, including training and competition centres, agistment centres and riding schools.The unit applies to individuals who have responsibility for management of the nutritional requirements of a broad range of horses. They work independently within organisational guidelines, analyse information, solve routine and at times complex problems and convey information and skills to others.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. Determine nutritional requirements of horses
  • 1.1 Access information on horse nutritional requirements, and indicators and consequences of nutrient deficiency and dietary imbalances
  • 1.2 Analyse and calculate the value and composition of available feed and pastures
  • 1.3 Determine nutritional requirements of horses, taking into consideration class, life stage, exercise regime and workplace activity
  • 1.4 Assess body condition and nutritional requirements of individual or groups of horses
2. Develop diets and feeding plans for horses
  • 2.1 Formulate effective feeding plans incorporating rations, schedule and methods
  • 2.2 Design feed charts specifying rations for individual or groups of horses
  • 2.3 Adapt feeding plans to respond to variations in nutritional requirements and seasonal conditions
3. Manage horse pasture grazing
  • 3.1 Analyse nutritional value of common pasture species and weeds, and seasonal changes in availability, digestibility and nutritional value
  • 3.2 Monitor and manage chemical control of weeds and toxic plants
  • 3.3 Establish grazing practices to optimise horse nutrition and welfare requirements
  • 3.4 Monitor grazing practices and plant growth stages to manage pasture plant growth and environmental requirements
4. Manage implementation of horse diets and feeding plans
  • 4.1 Apply a cost-effective approach to sourcing and supplying required nutrients
  • 4.2 Implement safe, secure and hygienic storage of feed ingredients
  • 4.3 Oversee supply of rations to horses according to feeding plan schedule and requirements
  • 4.4 Implement safety procedures for feeding horses, covering different locations and horse combinations
  • 4.5 Implement feeding methods and placement of feed, to support natural feeding behaviours and access for horses
  • 4.6 Monitor horses to confirm access to and consumption of feed
  • 4.7 Confirm feeding records and feed orders are maintained, monitored and prepared according to workplace requirements
5. Evaluate horse diets and feeding plans
  • 5.1 Monitor and document reactions to changes in feed types, ingredients or schedules
  • 5.2 Monitor horse health for signs of inadequate nutrition or nutrition-related diseases
  • 5.3 Develop and implement a plan to manage documented adverse reactions to rations, or signs of poor nutrition
  • 5.4 Monitor, review and record feeding plans for individual or groups of horses and implement improvements and adjustments as required
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
BBD68 ACMPHR504 Manage equine nutrition Unit of competency
BBE51 ACMHBR501 Manage horse nutrition Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
BHN6 ACM50421 Diploma of Equine Management Qualification