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Prepare a horse for a specific event
Level
5
Credits
10
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: explain the aims of a
training programme for horses; develop an equine training programme
according to the timing of a specific event; recognise training problems that
can cause a horse to perform poorly, and implement methods to aid remedial
treatment; monitor and adjust the horse's training programme; and describe
the causes and treatment of poor performance, and maintain and provide
records to the veterinarian.
Subfield
Equine
Domain
Equine Training
Status
Registered
Status date
18 July 2008
Date version published
12 February 2010
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
Stable procedures are the documented practices and polices required within a
particular workplace, and that do not contravene the Code of Recommendations and
Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Horses (Wellington: Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry, 1993), which is available at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/animalwelfare/codes/horses/index.htm.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Explain the aims of a training programme for horses.
Performance criteria
1.1
Explanation establishes reasons for training horses for specific events.
Range
1.2
Explanation describes the methods for training and their effects on the horse’s
body and body systems.
Range
1.3
may include but is not limited to – develop horsemanship skills,
develop mental attitude, simulate competition situation, develop
and fine tune performance skills, increase response to stimuli,
increase coordination.
muscles, bone, tendon, ligaments, cardiovascular, respiratory.
Explanation describes the causes, effects, and prevention of lactic acid build-up
and how it can be managed in a training programme.
Element 2
Develop an equine training programme according to the timing of a specific event.
Performance criteria
2.1
Assessment of the present level of fitness or training of the horse determines
the requirements for the target event.
2.2
Training objectives are set and documented in accordance with stable
procedures.
Range
2.3
Assessment of methods of training determines their suitability for the individual
horse.
Range
2.4
training objectives – specify an end point; state conditions for
achievement; are specific, precise, measurable, and observable.
may include but is not limited to – traditional (preliminary,
development, fast work), interval training, speed test, beach work,
road work, track work.
Horse's psychological requirements are outlined and catered for within the
programme.
Range
individual needs, routine, changes to routine, stabling and
paddocking, handler.
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2.5
Assessment of methods to enhance training determines methods to
incorporate.
Range
2.6
A balanced feeding programme is formulated to meet the horse’s nutritional
requirements.
Range
2.7
includes but is not limited to – swimming, treadmill, horse walker,
infra red lamps, massage.
stage of the training, horse’s individual requirements.
A training programme is developed to meet the horse’s individual requirements.
Range
combination of methods, targeted for a specific event, causing
least psychological and physical stress to the horse.
Element 3
Recognise training problems that can cause a horse to perform poorly, and implement
methods to aid remedial treatment.
Performance criteria
3.1
Physical and psychological problems that can cause poor performance are
identified, and action is taken in accordance with stable procedures and in the
best interests of the horse.
Range
3.2
injury, lameness, over training.
Causes of electrolyte problems are outlined, specific problems are recognised,
and corrective measures are implemented in accordance with stable
procedures and in the best interests of the horse.
Range
causes include – body use in excess of replacement, sweating,
high humidity.
Element 4
Monitor and adjust the horse’s training programme.
Performance criteria
4.1
The horse's daily activities, outputs, fitness indicators, and conditions are
recorded according to stable procedures.
Range
4.2
date, type of work done, distance, time, speed, temperature, heart
rate, respiration, mental attitude, weather.
Records are maintained according to stable procedures.
Range
worming, vaccination, injury, illness, treatments, drugs
administered, analysis, shoeing, feeding programme.
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4.3
The horse's progress is monitored in consultation with the veterinarian, and the
training programme is adjusted where necessary, in accordance with stable
procedures.
Range
4.4
Aids used to treat training related problems are implemented in accordance with
stable procedures and in the best interests of the horse.
Range
4.5
may include but is not limited – ultrasound, thermography, gait
analysis, blood muscle biopsy, videos.
includes but is not limited to – acupuncture, massage, colour and
other natural therapies.
The information provided by blood analysis is used to monitor and adjust the
horse’s training programme.
Range
situations where blood tests may be used include but are not
limited to – prior to commencing serious work, regularly during
training, poor performance, ill health;
evidence of two situations is required.
Element 5
Describe the causes and treatment of poor performance, and maintain and provide
records to the veterinarian.
Performance criteria
5.1
Description identifies respiratory problems that can affect a horse’s performance
in terms of causes and treatments.
Range
5.2
Description identifies circulatory problems that can affect a horse’s performance
in terms of causes and treatments.
Range
5.3
includes but is not limited to – nasal obstruction, soft palate
displacement, epiglottic entrapment, roaring, respiratory system
infections, viruses, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
bleeders, tumours.
includes but is not limited to – heart murmurs, heart rhythm
problems, anaemia.
A medical history of the poorly performing horse that meets veterinary
requirements is provided to the veterinarian.
Range
includes but is not limited to – past problems, drugs administered,
response to treatment.
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5.4
A management history of the poorly performing horse that meets veterinary
requirements is provided to the veterinarian.
Range
feeding programme, changes to routine (feeding, training,
competition), stabling, pasture, rate of decline, time first noticed,
magnitude of change.
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.
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