Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to assess determining nutritional requirements for racing horses. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Nutritional principles will include:
digestive system:
mouth and teeth
stomach
small intestine
large intestine
digestive problems:
colic
ulcers
feeding habits:
effects of temperature
normal eating patterns
stable eating patterns
social influences
nutrients:
energy
fat
minerals
protein
vitamins
water
weight of feeds.
Workload and stage of training will include:
age
grain and roughage balance
how soon after work or racing to feed
introducing changes slowly
letting down or spelling feeds
monitoring
pre-training feeds
racing feeds.
Quality, type, and nutritional, energy and economic value will include:
alternative feeds, including oils
contaminants
drought
storage
regional availability.
Supplements and feed additives may include:
calcium
electrolytes
herbal remedies
iron and minerals
oils
vitamins.
Supplements and feed additives are selected and checked to avoid:
accidental introduction of banned substances that contravene the rules of racing.
Total carbon dioxide level (TCO2) will include:
alkalising agents:
bicarbonates
citrates
lactates
succinates
blood levels
rules of racing.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when determining nutritional requirements for racing horses
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient determination of nutritional requirements for racing horses
working with others to undertake and complete tasks related to racing horse nutritional requirements that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of racehorses of different ages and sexes, and at different stages of preparation in racing stable environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.
Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.
The following resources must be available:
a variety of harness and thoroughbred horses
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to determine and monitor nutritional requirements of racing horses
racing stables
work instructions and related documentation.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.
The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.
Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
RGRPSH401A Relate anatomical and physiological features to the care and treatment of horses
RGRPSH408A Manage horse health and welfare
RGRPSH501A Plan and adapt training and conditioning programs for racehorses.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).