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: 

Understand equine health and wellbeing 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
265054  Understand equine health and wellbeing 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Equine Management and Equestrian Instruction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 02 - Culture and Arts Sport 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  12 
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 
People credited with this Unit Standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of the health and wellbeing of equines and recognise, identify and manage good and ill health in equines.

Learner accredited with this Unit Standard will be capable of:
  • Caring for the health and wellbeing of an equine.
  • Attending to minor equine ailments in the stable yard.
  • Understanding equine health emergencies.
  • Implementing preventative health requirements as directed.
  • Recognising symptoms of common equine ailments.
  • Explaining the common diseases in equines.
  • Explaining parasites in equines. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 2 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2 or equivalent.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of equine welfare at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Care for the health and wellbeing of an equine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Ability to take vital signs of the equine is demonstrated to establish state of health. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Vital signs include temperature, pulse, respiration.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The parameters of the respective vital signs are assessed to establish an equine state of health. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Vital signs include normal temperature, pulse, respiration of an adult equine taken according to internationally accepted standards.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Different types of wounds and dressings are named for equine care purposes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Types of wounds include but are not limited to laceration, puncture, arterial bleed, contusion, abrasion, incision, bite wounds.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Consequences of not caring for the health and wellbeing of an equine are addressed and explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Cuts and minor wounds are cleaned and dressed in a simulated situation to control infections and promote healing. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Attend to minor ailments in the stable yard. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Lameness and unsoundness are recognised and attended to according to internationally accepted procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Measures for preventing lameness, ailments and unsoundness are explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Measures include but are not limited to good stable yard operational procedure, hygiene, safety.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Isolation conditions and preventative measures of infectious diseases are understood. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Symptoms of sprains and strains are recognized in order to determine appropriate care. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A health care programme for a sick equine is designed in order to promote healing and recovery. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The consequences of not attending to minor ailments in the stable yard are explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Understand colic and its implication in an equine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Types of colic are listed with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Types of colic include but are not limited to gaseous, impaction, compaction, obstructive, spasmodic, sand.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Symptoms of colic are recognized. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Measures for preventing colic are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A health care programme for an equine recovering from colic is designed in order to promote wellbeing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of not following the required preventative measures are understood. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Understand equine health emergencies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of veterinary intervention is described in terms of an emergency situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Signs of shock are described and possible first aid measures for shock are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Signs of arterial bleeding are described and first aid measures for arterial bleeding are explained in given case study. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The signs of a suspected bone fracture are described and first aid measures are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Signs of suspected heat stroke and heat exhaustion are described and first aid measures are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Signs of a suspected snake bite are described and first aid measures are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Implement preventative primary health care requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Legislative requirements relating to equine diseases and vaccinations are described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reasons for implementing preventative health measures are explained and described in terms of caring for equines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Preventative health care programme is described according to in-house procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Administration of remedies is described according to practitioner's prescription, in-house procedures or manufacturer's specification. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Explain the common diseases in equines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The common diseases in equines are explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Common diseases include but are not limited to African horse sickness, equine influenza, strangles, skin diseases, biliary, tetanus, rabies, botulism.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The cause of each common disease is explained with an example of each one. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The signs and symptoms of each common disease are listed in tabular form. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The management of common diseases is explained with an example of each one. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The preventative steps to be taken for each common disease are listed in tabular form. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
    Explain parasites in equines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The parasites which occur in equines are listed in tabular form. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Parasites include but are not limited to worms, fungii, flies, ticks, mites, lice.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The cause of the parasitic infestation is explained with an example of each one. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The signs and symptoms of each parasitic infestation are listed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The management for each parasitic infestation is explained with examples in order to minimise and prevent re-infection. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The means of prevention of each parasite in equines are listed in tabular form. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any individual wishing to be assessed, (including RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must hold a minimum of NQF Level 4 Qualification in the equine field.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard, or assessing this Unit Standard, must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant Qualification and ETQA guidelines. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential Embedded Knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated Assessment Criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all Specific Outcomes, to the standards described in the Assessment Criteria, without knowledge of the listed Embedded Knowledge. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, Assessment Criteria have been included in the body of the Unit Standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in a responsible manner using critical and creative thinking in making decisions relating to equine health care. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as member of the team when caring for an equine. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly while carrying out the various aspects of equine health care. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with colleagues and other team members in reporting ailments to the Vet. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility when caring for a sick equine. 

    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 
    International accepted standards refer to the standards according to the International Group for Equestrian Qualifications.

    The legal and regulatory requirements are those sections of the Acts that relates to the humane handling of equines. They are:
  • The Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.
  • The Performing Animals Protection Act 24/35.
  • The Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act 19 of 1982.
  • Powers of Seizure Regulation 468 as contained in the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  67589   National Certificate: Equine Practices  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    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.