Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:04 PM AWST

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Provide routine care for horses

Provide routine care for horses

Unit of competency
National Code
ACMEQU306
State Code
ODV35
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
65
Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide routine care for horses. It involves grooming, basic trimming, rugging, feeding, basic turnout and monitoring horse welfare. This unit applies to individuals who apply technical knowledge and skills with discretion and judgement to care for horses. They work under broad direction, coordinate activities and solve problems related to horse welfare. Work environments may include stables, small horse enclosures, paddocks and yards.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. Maintain horse environment
  • 1.1 Determine individual needs of horse and arrange housing to meet needs
  • 1.2 Identify hazards, carry out a risk assessment and take steps to minimise risk to ensure safety of self, horse and others
  • 1.3 Clean stables or small horse enclosures and yards, ensuring bedding or flooring material is replaced and equipment is checked, maintained and stored according to workplace procedures
  • 1.4 Maintain a safe environment and housing for horses according to animal welfare and workplace requirements
  • 1.5 Document and report property and equipment maintenance issues according to workplace requirements
2. Groom a horse
  • 2.1 Identify hazards, and assess and control their risk
  • 2.2 Select and fit personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the task
  • 2.3 Select and prepare required grooming equipment and products according to horse and workplace requirements
  • 2.4 Position, tie up and groom horse using safe and low stress techniques
  • 2.5 Trim horse mane, tail and bridle path according to instructions
  • 2.6 Identify signs of horse illness, injury or abnormal behaviour during grooming, and action as required
  • 2.7 Check horse's hooves and shoes if fitted to horse, clean and dress hooves, and report irregularities
  • 2.8 Select and fit rugs, flyveil and any other protective equipment to horse as required
  • 2.9 Clean, store and maintain grooming tools and PPE
3. Prepare horse for exercise
  • 3.1 Select and prepare horse for exercise according to workplace requirements
  • 3.2 Select correct working gear and check for serviceability and suitability
  • 3.3 Fit working gear to horse safely and adjust where required
4. Complete post-exercise activities
  • 4.1 Cool down, hose, wash and groom horse after exercise according to horse requirements and workplace procedures
  • 4.2 Check horse for signs of lameness, soreness, heat or swelling in legs, cuts and other signs of injury, illness and distress, and report according to workplace procedures
  • 4.3 Remove, clean and check gear before storage, or report maintenance issues
5. Monitor and maintain a horse feeding program
  • 5.1 Maintain and clean food storage areas and water supply, and keep free of contaminants
  • 5.2 Prepare feed and feed supplements according to individual horse feeding plan
  • 5.3 Distribute feed and water, observe horse condition and feeding patterns and report variations
  • 5.4 Seek dietary advice and adjust diet and feeding practices as required
  • 5.5 Monitor feed stock and water and replenish according to workplace procedures
  • 5.6 Monitor feed and water quality, and action or report contamination and other quality issues according to workplace procedures
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
BBF08 ACMPHR301 Care for performance horses Unit of competency
BBE14 ACMHBR308 Maintain horses in a healthy state Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
BJA4 AHC40122 Certificate IV in Agriculture Qualification
BJB3 AHC30122 Certificate III in Agriculture Qualification
BHN7 ACM30821 Certificate III in Horse Care Qualification