Assess environmental impact on the equine hoof
Overview
"This standard covers the assessment of the equine environment and how it can have an impact on the health of the equine hoof. You will understand that carrying out a thorough assessment of environmental factors is an important activity in the control of the health of the equine hoof.
You need to be aware of your own limitations and confirm that you meet the relevant legal responsibilities for providing your duty of care under animal health and welfare legislation, codes of practice and policies of the business.
The responsible person can be anyone who has responsibility for the equine such as the owner, trainer, groom or hoof care practitioner.
This standard is for UK Equine Hoof Care practitioner."
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
"1. work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
2. comply with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation and associated codes of practice
3. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant legislation, codes of practice and policies of the business
4. select and wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
5. maintain hygiene and biosecurity in accordance with the relevant legislation and business practice
6. assess the accommodation and environment of the equine and the impact this has on the equine hoof
7. discuss and agree with the responsible person, a plan for how to manage the impact of the environment on the equine in order to maintain and improve hoof health
8. advise on any aspects of the environment that should be altered, recognising when problems should be referred to a relevant equine professional
9. discuss with the responsible person, the impact of the relevant aspects of a health assessment including, saddle fit, dental health, or the use of hoof boots or therapeutic pads on hoof health
10. maintain communication with all those involved in, or affected by your work
11. confirm that records are completed, maintained and stored as required by the relevant legislation and business practice"
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
"1. your professional responsibilities and the need to maintain professional competence
2. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and the policies of your business
3. your responsibilities under current animal health and welfare legislation, other relevant animal regulations and codes of practice, and the legal limitations of the current Veterinary Surgeons Act with regard todiagnosis and treatment of disease or injury
4. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
5. the importance of maintaining hygiene and biosecurity and the methods for achieving these
6. the effects of accommodation on the equine hoof
7. how environmental conditions impact on equine hoof health, and how these can be managed to improve equine hoof health including hoof growth rate and hoof wear
8. the effects of activity level and working regimes and the various equine disciplines on equine hoof health
9. the impact of diet and nutrition on equine hoof health
10. the impact of infection on the equine hoof including how to minimise the risk of occurrence, and the role of a hygiene system
11. how to recognise infection in the equine hoof and the importance of discussing the diagnosis and treatment with a veterinary surgeon
12. the role of topical hoof care products in equine hoof health including their advantages, disadvantages and correct usage
13. the restrictions and implications concerning giving advice on hoof care products, ensuring that any advice is not seen as diagnosis or treatment
14. how to identify cases where disease or ill-health have impacted on the health of the hoof and require veterinary intervention
15. how to guide a client to refer cases of disease or ill health that have impacted on the health of the hoof to a veterinary surgeon and how to liaise with a veterinary surgeon during and after this process
16. the potential for medical treatments to impact on equine hoof health
17. how to score body condition and the impact of body condition on overall health and the equine hoof
18. the impact of other aspects of domestication on equine hoof health such as shoeing, saddle fit and dental health
19. the use of hoof boots and/or pads and how these can be used to support and improve hoof health
20. the availability of interventions that can only be used under veterinary supervision, the situations where these may be used and how to work with a veterinary surgeon to identify and implement interventions
21. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
22. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them in accordance with the relevant legislation and business practice"
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
"Equine: a horse or other member of the horse family including donkeys, mules, hinnies and asses.
Accommodation: this will include availability of shelter, turnout arrangements, the surfaces the hoof may be exposed to – both when turned out and confined, and freedom of movement.
Environmental factors: include diet, hoof care, activity level, travelling, social interaction, stabling and turnout regime, terrain, exposure to moisture and pollutants."