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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain basic horse behaviour and body structure 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244041  Explain basic horse behaviour and body structure 
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 1  NQF Level 01  6 
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 
The persons credited with this unit standard will be able to explain both good and bad horse behavioural patterns and body language. They will also be able to explain the features of the horse and recognise the signs of good and bad health in a horse.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Explaining basic horse behavioural patterns and body language.
  • Explaining the basic identifying features of the horse.
  • Recognising the signs of good health and bad health of horses. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners will have demonstrated competence in:
  • Communication at ABET Level 3 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain basic horse behavioural patterns and body language. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The instinctive behaviour of horses is explained using a given case study. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Instinctive behaviours include but are not limited to herd animal, prey animal, grazer.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The physical signals that indicate a horse's positive and negative emotional state are explained with an example of each. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Physical signals include but are not limited to:
  • Ear position, eye activity, facial expression, body stance, tail position and motion, body motion, foot activity, stallion and mare behaviour.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Unsafe and undesirable horse behaviours are identified and explained with an example of each. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Unsafe and undesirable behaviours include but are not limited to kicking, biting, rushing, rearing, presenting hindquarters, stamping.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Actions that need to be taken in the event of unsafe or undesirable behaviours are described with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the basic identifying features of the horse. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The points (physical features) of a horse are shown and named by pointing them out. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The coat colours of a horse are named and identified in order to identity the horse. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Coat colours of a horse include but are not limited to:
  • Bay, brown, chestnut, black, grey, roan, dun, piebald, skewbald, albino, palomino and cream.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The markings on a horse are identified and named by pointing them out. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Markings on a horse include but are not limited to:
  • On the head; blaze, star, stripe, snip.
  • On the body; list, flea bitten, flecked.
  • On the legs; white feet, white socks, white stocking, ermine marks, black points.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Other identifiable features are named and described verbally. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Other identifiable features include but are not limited to:
  • Whorls, prophets thumb mark, wall eye, white of the eye, scars, and brands.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Recognise the signs of good and bad health in horses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Signs of a healthy horse are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Signs of a sick or injured horse are identified and explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Sick or injured horses are reported to higher authority in accordance with worksite procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • 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.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Basic equine body language.
  • The identifying features of the horse.
  • The signs of good health and bad health in horses.
  • Undesirable behaviour in horses. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems pertaining to the horses behaviour and body structure. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse and critically evaluate information relating to the finding out of the condition of the horse. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in formal and informal situations when talking to other workers and clients about horses. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate the world as a set of related systems whereby knowledge of a horses behaviour improves safety around horses. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    In order to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, it must be the intention of any programme of learning to make the individual aware of the importance of:
  • Learners can participate as responsible citizens in the life of the local, national, global communities when working in a horse environment.
  • Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across the range of social contexts when working with different people in the stabling environment. 
    		•

    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 Standards refers to the standards according to the 'International Group for Equestrian Qualifications'.
  • The legal and regulatory requirements are those sections of the Acts that pertain to the humane use and handling of horses. These are:
    > The Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962.
    > Performing Animals Act 24/35.
    > Power of Seizure Regulation 468 to be read in the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962.
    > The Veterinary and Para-veterinary Act 19 of 1982. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58493   General Education and Training Certificate: Equine and Equestrian Practices  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    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.