6618 version 5

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Identify a horse's age in relation to teeth, and examine for sharp edges

Level / 3
Credits / 4

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to: identify a horse's age in relation to teeth; examine teeth for sharp edges; and demonstrate knowledge of the treatment of sharp edges.

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

Special notes

Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and its subsequent amendments.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Identify a horse's age in relation to teeth.

Rangeincisors, pre-molars, molars.

Performance criteria

1.1Dentition is described in terms of changes in number and type of teeth according to age.

Rangemilk teeth, permanent teeth.

1.2The horse's age is identified, within 12 months accuracy, by inspection of types of teeth, markings on teeth, slope, and wear.

1.3Horses with known age over eight years old are estimated for age within three years accuracy, by inspection of markings on teeth, and their slope, and wear.

Element 2

Examine teeth for sharp edges and demonstrate knowledge of the treatment of sharp edges.

Performance criteria

2.1Formation of sharp edges on teeth is described in terms of the shape of the horse's jaw and chewing action.

2.2Consequences of sharp edges are described in terms of obvious symptoms shown by the horse.

2.3Teeth are examined for sharp edges without injury to self and stress or injury to the horse.

2.4Removal of sharp edges is described in terms of method and equipment.

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.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2019