Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work situations available.

What are various ages of foals?
7-9 day old to weaning age (usually between 4 and 6 months)

What routine health and husbandry procedures may be carried out on a foal?
Hoof trimming, worming, vaccinations, other veterinary treatments

What are the different types of suitable facilities that can be used?
Stalls, paddocks, pens, pastures. Facilities should be safe, ensuring foals cannot injure themselves attempting to jump fences or escape through small spaces. Facilities should also be clean, well ventilated, shaded and as dust free as possible to avoid foals developing respiratory problems.

What tasks could be included in a daily routine check?
Examining for possible injuries or lameness, identifying and reporting on abnormalities in eating and drinking patterns, identifying and reporting on abnormalities in consistency of faeces.

What exercise techniques can be used to exercise the yearlings?
Lunges, walking or using a walking machine (treadmill)

What are various ages of foals?
7-9 day old to weaning age (usually between 4 and 6 months)

What routine health and husbandry procedures may be carried out on a foal?
Hoof trimming, worming, vaccinations, other veterinary treatments

What are the different types of suitable facilities that can be used?
Stalls, paddocks, pens, pastures. Facilities should be safe, ensuring foals cannot injure themselves attempting to jump fences or escape through small spaces. Facilities should also be clean, well ventilated, shaded and as dust free as possible to avoid foals developing respiratory problems.

What tasks could be included in a daily routine check?
Examining for possible injuries or lameness, identifying and reporting on abnormalities in eating and drinking patterns, identifying and reporting on abnormalities in consistency of faeces.

What exercise techniques can be used to exercise the yearlings?
Lunges, walking or using a walking machine (treadmill)

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in this standard requires evidence of the ability to catch and handle foals and to catch, handle, groom and exercise yearlings. It also requires the ability to prepare appropriate facilities for weaning and preparation of yearlings for sale to industry standards. Evidence must also be demonstrated in the use of safe workplace and positive environmental practices.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

suitable facilities for weaning
potential dangers to the foal during weaning and appropriate actions to reduce them, such as the removal of troughs or other objects that may cause injury
stress responses sometimes associated with weaning, such as fretting, over-heating, refusing food, overeating, self-inflicted injuries.
suitable facilities for yearling preparation
potential dangers to the yearlings during sale preparation and appropriate actions to reduce them, such as removing any potential hazards from stalls and handling areas, exercising in confined areas, monitoring exercise and the effects of exercise on joints and bones of the legs
various responses in yearlings associated with sale preparation such as fretting, poor appetite, overeating, stable vices.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

handle animals in a safe and humane manner
monitor animal behaviour and recognise abnormalities
demonstrate safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices
teach a weanling to accept a halter
teach a weanlings to lead
maintain facilities and equipment to industry standards
communicate effectively and maintain accurate reports and records
fit rugs to weanlings & yearlings
safely exercise weanlings & yearlings
groom a yearling
safely fit, in an appropriate manner, bits, bridles and halters
teach a yearling to lead for exercise and presentation for sale
teach a yearling to stand correctly for presentation at sale.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard
RTE2127A Castrate livestock

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

suitable facilities for weaning
potential dangers to the foal during weaning and appropriate actions to reduce them, such as the removal of troughs or other objects that may cause injury
stress responses sometimes associated with weaning, such as fretting, over-heating, refusing food, overeating, self-inflicted injuries.
suitable facilities for yearling preparation
potential dangers to the yearlings during sale preparation and appropriate actions to reduce them, such as removing any potential hazards from stalls and handling areas, exercising in confined areas, monitoring exercise and the effects of exercise on joints and bones of the legs
various responses in yearlings associated with sale preparation such as fretting, poor appetite, overeating, stable vices.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

handle animals in a safe and humane manner
monitor animal behaviour and recognise abnormalities
demonstrate safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices
teach a weanling to accept a halter
teach a weanlings to lead
maintain facilities and equipment to industry standards
communicate effectively and maintain accurate reports and records
fit rugs to weanlings & yearlings
safely exercise weanlings & yearlings
groom a yearling
safely fit, in an appropriate manner, bits, bridles and halters
teach a yearling to lead for exercise and presentation for sale
teach a yearling to stand correctly for presentation at sale.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard
RTE2127A Castrate livestock

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to the preparation and application of injury prevention methods to foals may be checked and confirmed with the supervisor. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to the preparation and application of injury prevention methods to foals may be checked and confirmed with the supervisor. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to weaning processes and outcomes may be monitored and detailed for analysis and organised by records and reports. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to weaning processes and outcomes may be monitored and detailed for analysis and organised by records and reports. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Activities involving weaning and training foals treatments will be planned (1)

Planning and organising activities
Activities involving weaning and training foals treatments will be planned (1)

Working with others and in teams
Teamwork may be applied in the movement of foals. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Teamwork may be applied in the movement of foals. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calculation and measurement of feed (such as creep feed for foals) (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the calculation and measurement of feed (such as creep feed for foals) (1)

Solving problems
Problem solving may be involved in the weaning process or identification of suitable weaning facilities (1)

Solving problems
Problem solving may be involved in the weaning process or identification of suitable weaning facilities (1)

Using technology
To communicate, calculate and record information. (1)

Using technology
To communicate, calculate and record information. (1)