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.
Nutrient elements may include:
electrolytes
energy
fat
fibre
minerals
protein
vitamins
water.
Structures of thedigestive system will include:
hepatic structures
large intestine
mouth and teeth
salivary ducts and glands
stomach.
small and large intestine
Impact of an unbalanced or deficient diet may include:
health problems related to feeding:
arthritis
becoming tucked up
colic
developing a dull or rough coat
developing a nervy disposition
diarrhoea
exertional rhabdomyolosis (tying up)
hoof health
laminitis
leg swelling
manure eating (coprophagy)
muscle wasting/atrophy
parasite burdens
pedal osteitis
poor appetite/eating (anorexia versus dysphagia)
predisposition to inflammatory conditions
vitamin and mineral deficiencies
wood chewing/crib biting
condition of horses:
losing or gaining weight.
Feedstuffs may include:
chaff
electrolytes
extruded pellets
hay
minerals
pastures
processed mixes for specific categories of horse
raw feeds/grains
sweet feeds (processed grain mixes)
vitamins.
Methods of feedstuff preparation may include:
adhering to appropriate feeding time requirements
boiling or soaking grains or pellets
changing rations to suit local conditions:
high energy feeds for working, exercising, competing or racing animals
spelling feeds for horses coming into work or being let down
climate
correct fibre/protein ratio for use
damping feeds as required
ensuring prepared feed is given to correct horse only
following relevant competition rules related to feed additives
maintaining enterprise’s safe feed preparation procedures:
cleaning buckets, feed and water containers
following instructions related to feed mixers and grain crushers
minimising dust
using dust masks
using safe lifting and handling techniques
washing hands
reading and following feed ration lists and directions
recognising spoiled or contaminated feeds
recognising and adding prescribed supplements
using feed weighing scales.
Horse classifications may include:
age requirements:
nursing foals
orphans
weanlings
yearlings to maturity for breed
mature horse/pony
aged horse/pony
breed, activity and housing:
broodmares
leisure
performance/competition
spelling
stallions
starting/breaking in
transport
various breeds of horses
large pasture
small paddock
stables/stalls
condition score system:
very poor
poor
moderate
good
fat
very fat.
Options to adjust diet may include:
alter frequency of feeding
alter type of foodstuffs fed
alterations to preparation techniques
awareness of toxic plants in pastures
environment for example: position of feed bins
expert nutritional advice
natural versus domesticated feeding regimes compared
transition time to alternative diet
vitamin/mineral/electrolyte supplementation.

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:
locate the anatomical structures and define the process involved in nutrient absorption and metabolism in horses
classify the range of feedstuffs available in Australia for their nutrient value to horses
identify factors that affect nutrient availability in horse diets
evaluate the impact of an unbalanced or nutrient deficient diet on horse health and behaviour
identify the variation in nutritional demands for various classes of horse
classify horses by condition, health, age and housing status
provide advice to owners or carers on managing dietary principles in relation to equine health conditions and age status of the horse.

The skills and knowledge required to determine nutrition needs in provision of horse health care 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).