SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain equine characteristics and needs, husbandry, health and welfare 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261561  Explain equine characteristics and needs, husbandry, health and welfare 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Animal Protection Standards 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Inspectors need to be capable of evaluating the physiological condition and a horse's sense of well-being. They also need the ability to recognise possible cruelty offences and take appropriate action.

The unit standard reflects this need, and learners credited with it will be able to:
  • Explain the physiology of equine.
  • Explain signs of healthy equine and name common diseases and ailments.
  • Explain correct handling techniques.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of equipment used on or attached to equine, and potential abuses.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of equine inspection requirements. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Knowledge of animal protection legislation.
  • Basic knowledge of equine needs.
  • Communication at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the physiology of equine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Parts of the horse are identified according to given instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The hoof is described in terms of structure and required care. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The different teeth are described in terms of their common name and their growth pattern in relation to age. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain signs of healthy equine and name common diseases and ailments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Vital signs of a healthy horse are identified in accordance with normal conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A comparison is made between the different nutritional requirements of healthy equine and those of a rescued animal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A basic and fundamental primary health care program is identified for given situations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    An explanation is given of circumstances under which a veterinarian must be called. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Common diseases and ailments are described in terms of their symptoms and causes. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain correct handling techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation is provided for appropriate handling of equine in given circumstances. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Training, restraining, transporting, medicating and grooming.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Behavioural problems commonly found in equine are identified in terms of their causes and treatment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate knowledge of equipment used on or attached to equine, and potential abuses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Equipment used for traction equine is described in terms of the function and how it works. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Welfare problems are identified for traction equine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment used for riding horses is identified and described in terms of its function and common name. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Unacceptable use of equipment for riding horses is identified in terms of potential injury to animal or rider. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Equipment used for handling and restraining equine is identified in terms of its function and common name. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Distinctions are made between acceptable and unacceptable use of equipment for handling and restraining equine. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate knowledge of equine inspection requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different areas in which equine are used and inspected are named and explained in terms of their functionality. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes tourism, specific breed husbandry and training, competition disciplines and equine used for traction.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The physiological condition of equine is determined according to accepted weight-scoring techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Common disease, parasites, injury or distress is identified from visible evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Cases of possible abandonment are identified and action taken is appropriate to the circumstances. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Unacceptable equipment or methods used to train horses is identified in terms of the application and relevant legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Situations where horses are worked or used under unacceptable circumstances are defined according to legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Environmental conditions and animal husbandry standards are explained in terms of what is acceptable and unacceptable. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Assessment of this unit standard should be contextual and practical:
  • Assessors and moderators must be registered with the relevant accredited ETQA.
  • Assessors should be in possession of a relevant qualification that is at least one level higher than the level of this unit standard or have at least 5 years relevant practical experience.
  • Training providers must be accredited by a relevant ETQA.

    Assessment should include both formative and summative assessment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Knowledge of suitable species or breeds as companion animals.
  • Ability to recognise an animal's sense of well-being.
  • Knowledge of basic physical needs according to different types of equine.
  • Key points of responsible animal ownership. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems when evaluating the condition and environment of equine and deciding what action to take. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when preparing material for a fundamental primary health care programme for equine. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual and language skills when explaining the use of equipment on or attached to equine. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems when explaining the social impact of responsible animal ownership. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  65229   Further Education and Training Certificate: Animal Protection  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  LG SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.