Determine and agree a hoof care plan for the equine
Overview
"This standard covers how to determine and agree a hoof care plan for the equine with the responsible person. A hoof care plan is critical to the comfort, activity level and welfare of the equine.
In order to determine the hoof care plan for the equine, you will need to approach and handle the equine in a manner to mimimise stress and alarm, working in a position that is safe for the equine and anyone involved in the work, including yourself.
You will need to prepare the hoof so that it can be examined. You will be able to examine the hoof and determine the hoof care needs of a variety of equines. You will need to be aware of common equine injuries and health conditions and when to involve a veterinary surgeon.
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 practitioners."
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- 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 environmental and health and safety 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. select a method of handling and control that is required for the equine concerned and to minimise the risks to the equine and anyone involved in the work including yourself 7. adopt a working position that is safe for the equine and yourself 8. clean the hoof to facilitate a thorough examination 9. examine the hoof and assess the condition and wear pattern 10. determine and agree a hoof care plan with the responsible person taking into account the level of activity of the equine 11. examine equine conformation 12. recognise any atypical signs that require a veterinary consultation 13. maintain communication with all those involved in, or affected by your work 14. 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:
- your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies 2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity 3. the importance of maintaining hygiene and biosecurity and the methods for achieving this 4. how to assess equine hoof conformation 5. the effect of regular trimming and wear on hoof growth 6. the frequency of trimming and the effect on hoof shape 7. the detailed anatomy and physiology of the lower limb including knee and hock 8. the function of all parts of the hoof 9. the conformation and locomotion of the equine and how these factors relate to the biomechanics of the hoof 10. how to recognise malformation, disease and, or injury of the equine, and how hoof and locomotion can be affected by them 11. the treatments for malformation, disease and/or injury of the limb and hoof that could be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon 12. the methods of measuring the hoof and the relevance and purpose of this 13. how to determine a hoof care plan 14. the importance of discussing previous veterinary diagnoses that might impact on the hoof care plan with a veterinary surgeon 15. the importance of using the information collected during the conformation assessment and the level of activity intended when determining hoof care plans 16. the principles of static and dynamic hoof balance 17. the environmental and management features that may be included in a hoof care plan 18. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done 19. the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them in accordance with relevant organisational codes of practice and legislation
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. Locomotion: equine locomotion is required for proper joint growth and maintenance, hoof growth and health, as well as respiratory health, circulatory health and metabolism. Conformation: equine conformation evaluates the degree of correctness of a horse's bone structure, musculature, and its body proportions in relation to each other. Undesirable conformation can limit the ability to perform a specific task. Footcare needs of a variety of equines including: Young equine Mature equine Old equine A shod equine Unshod equine
Common injuries and health conditions: Interference injuries could include:
Brushing Speedy cutting Over reaching Under reaching
Health conditions could include:
Thrush Laminitis Equine metabolic syndrome Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction Abscesses White line disease Seedy toe Hoof wall cracks Hoof capsule distortion