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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of horses
Level / 2 / Credits / 3
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of: the natural herd instincts of horses in relation to their behaviour and needs; the senses, communication and body language of horses in relation to horse behaviour and handling; and the horse’s behavioural characteristics in relation to handling horses.
Classification / Equine > Equine Training
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Behavioural characteristics are flight, senses, reaction time, memory, and dominance as described by Miller, Robert M., ‘Understanding Horses’. A video by Velocity Production, PO Box K, Virginia City, Nevada, 889440, USA.
2Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and its subsequent amendments.
3All actions must be in accordance with the Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Horses(Wellington: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 1993) available at
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the natural herd instincts of horses in relation to their behaviour and needs.
Rangesocial structure, social interaction, reproductive behaviour, developmental stages.
Evidence requirements
1.1Natural herd instincts of horses are described in relation to their behaviour and needs.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of the senses, communication and body language of horses in relation to horse behaviour and handling.
Evidence requirements
2.1Senses of horses are described in relation to horse behaviour and handling.
Rangevision, hearing, taste, touch, smell.
2.2Forms of communication used by horses are described in relation to horse behaviour and handling.
Rangevisual, auditory, tactile, olfactory.
2.3Body language of horses is described in relation to horse behaviour and handling.
Rangestance and positioning, facial and body gestures, fluency of movement.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate knowledge of horse’s behavioural characteristics in relation to handling horses.
Rangehuman-horse relationship, pressure, flight zones.
Evidence requirements
3.1Behavioural characteristics of horses are described in relation to handling horses.
Planned review date / 31 December 2012Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 25 July 2007 / 13 December 2012
Revision / 2 / 18 March 2011 / N/A
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0018
This AMAP can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Consent requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018