1661 version 5
Page 1 of 4
Formulate rations for horses
Level
5
Credits
6
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate knowledge of
the features and functions of each part of a horse’s digestive tract; formulate
a balanced ration for individual horse requirements; and feed the horse as an
individual, and identify feeding problems.
Subfield
Equine
Domain
Equine Care
Status
Registered
Status date
18 July 2008
Date version published
18 July 2008
Planned review date
31 December 2013
Entry information
Open.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0018
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
1
Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Health and
Safety in Employment Act 1992, and its subsequent amendments.
2
Candidates must not contravene the Code of Recommendations and Minimum
Standards for the Welfare of Horses (Wellington: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry,
1993), available at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/animalwelfare/codes/horses/index.htm.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
1661 version 5
Page 2 of 4
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the features and functions of each part of a horse’s digestive
tract.
Range
mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine.
Performance criteria
1.1
Description of the components of the digestive tract identifies their function.
1.2
Description of digestion in ruminants and monogastrics identifies their
similarities and differences.
Range
1.3
Description of the features of the digestive tract outlines the practical feeding of
a horse.
Range
1.4
stomach capacity, rate of passage of food, site of digestion of
roughage.
features of the digestive tract include – gut bacteria specific to
individual feed, gut bacteria change gradually, small stomach,
rapid digestion, hind gut digestion, large production of saliva,
offset jaw, continuous feeding pattern.
Description identifies the importance of preventative health for horses.
Range
parasite control, teeth.
Element 2
Formulate a balanced ration for individual horse requirements.
Range
broodmare, lactating mare, weanling, yearling, mature horse on maintenance,
mature horse in light work, mature horse in medium work, mature horse in
heavy work.
Performance criteria
2.1
Requirements for the horse are determined in terms of protein, energy,
roughage, calcium, and phosphorous.
2.2
Grain feeds are selected according to individual horse requirements and the
major contributing constituent of the feed.
2.3
Forms of roughage are assessed and selected in accordance with the needs of
the horse and local availability.
Range
pasture hay, lucerne hay, oaten hay, wheaten hay.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
1661 version 5
Page 3 of 4
2.4
Quantity of feed required is calculated according to the requirements of the
horse.
Range
2.5
The calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) ratios are balanced with additives to
within acceptable limits for the class of horse.
Range
2.6
body weight, body condition, work requirements, temperament.
mature horses ideally 1.3 Ca/1.0 P (range 2.0 Ca/1.0 P to 1.0
Ca/1.0 P), young horse's maximum 3.0 Ca/1.0 P.
Signs of deficiency of essential nutrients are determined and additives provided
or feeds adjusted.
Range
selenium, water, salt, energy, protein, calcium, phosphorous;
vitamins B1, B12, D, E, K.
Element 3
Feed a horse as an individual, and identify feeding problems.
Performance criteria
3.1
The daily feed is introduced in a manner which ensures maximum utilisation by
the horse.
3.2
Reasons why grain is reduced on rest days are identified in terms of the
nutritional needs of the horse.
3.3
Reasons why feeding should approximate natural feeding patterns of horses
are explained in terms of the health of the horse.
3.4
Health problems associated with feeding are identified and a course of action
taken which is best for the horse.
Range
3.5
Individual variations are taken into account when supplementary feeding.
Range
3.6
colic, laminitis, tying up.
horse's individual likes and dislikes, feeding habits, temperament,
environment, response to feeds, change in behaviour, fully
stabled, access to sunlight, health aspects.
Variations due to intake of pasture are taken into account and the ration
adjusted to meet the horse's requirements.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
1661 version 5
Page 4 of 4
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation standards@primaryito.ac.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016