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.
Operation of the musculoskeletal system may include:
components of the musculoskeletal system:
blood supply
bones
cartilage including hoof and foot
ligaments
muscles
tendons
functions of the musculoskeletal system:
agonist and antagonist muscle pairs for stability, weight support and range of motion
components of the hematopoietic system
concussion absorption
creation of levers to create power
organ protection
stay apparatus for body stability at rest
storage of energy
storage system for calcium and phosphorus.
Structure and type of bones and joints may include:
bone structure:
cancellous
concentric lamellae
cortical
marrow
osteons
periosteum
veins
bone types:
flat
irregular
long
sesamoid
short
bone functions:
blood production
mineral storage
structural support
weight bearing
cartilage types:
elastic
fibrocartilage
hyaline
cartilage structure:
chondroblasts
chondrocytes
structure of joints:
cartilaginous joint, joined by cartilage such as sliding, synchondrosis and symphysis joints
fibrous joint, joined by fibrous connective tissue such as a skull suture
synovial joint, not directly joined such as ball and socket and hinge joints
function of joints:
amphiarthrosis, permits slight mobility, most are cartilaginous joints eg. vertebrae
diarthrosis, permits a variety of movements, all are synovial joints eg. hip, knee
synarthrosis, permits little or no mobility, most are fibrous joints eg. skill sutures
biomechanical function of joints:
simple hoint: 2 articulation surfaces eg. hip joint
compound joint: 3 or more articulation surfaces eg. knee
complex joint: 2 or more articulation surfaces and an articular disc or meniscus eg. stifle
surface features and orientation.
Structure and types of soft tissues may include:
muscle tissue:
skeletal
smooth
cardiac
muscle types:
2/3 headed parallel
quadrate
straight
triangular
flat
orbicular
pennate
fusiform
ligaments and tendons
surface features and orientation.
Changes to bone may include:
accelerated cell replacement
deformity
demineralisation
growth plate development
ossification
overgrowth.
Changes to soft tissue may include:
atrophy
blood flow increase to muscles
bruising of muscles
hypertrophy
inflammation
lesion development
ossification
temperature increase.
Impact of overtraining and injury may include:
adaptive failure:
bleeding
cell wall failure
exertional rhabdomyolosis (tying up)
fractures
inflammation
ligament sprain, tear
ossification of tendons and ligaments
osslet production
swelling
tendon strain or tear
arthritic changes to joint surfaces
joint fluid loss
scar tissue development.
Changes to hooves and feet may include:
abscesses
bruising of soles
concussion related changes:
sidebone
navicular disease
corns
cracks and splits in hoof wall
hoof wall separation
wearing of hoof faster than rate of tissue replacement.
Others may include:
veterinarians
colleagues
handlers or attendants
equine allied health care providers
owners or carers
trainers.

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:
determine the structural characteristics of equine musculoskeletal system
locate and determine the function of equine muscles and supporting tissues related to locomotion, power and stamina
define the changes in equine musculoskeletal system due to growth, performance, ailment or injury
communicate with others to describe and interpret musculoskeletal structures and features using anatomical, physiological and industry terminology.

The skills and knowledge required to relate musculoskeletal structure to horse movement 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 workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to a range of horses and ponies, 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).