1661 version 5

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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/animal-welfare/codes/horses/index.htm.

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 stomach capacity, rate of passage of food, site of digestion of roughage.

1.3 Description of the features of the digestive tract outlines the practical feeding of a horse.

Range 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.

1.4 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.

2.4 Quantity of feed required is calculated according to the requirements of the horse.

Range body weight, body condition, work requirements, temperament.

2.5 The calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) ratios are balanced with additives to within acceptable limits for the class of horse.

Range 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.

2.6 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 colic, laminitis, tying up.

3.5 Individual variations are taken into account when supplementary feeding.

Range horse's individual likes and dislikes, feeding habits, temperament, environment, response to feeds, change in behaviour, fully stabled, access to sunlight, health aspects.

3.6 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.

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 if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

Ó New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2013