Select and Fit Shoes for Normal Healthy Equines

Training Details

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely fit standard shoes for equines with hooves in healthy condition or presenting with common faults and defects, which can be treated with minor shoe modifications of pre-manufactured shoes.

The unit applies to individuals who use technical knowledge and skills to perform farriery services across different equine industry sectors.

Assessment is competency-based and combines theory with practical demonstration.

The unit covers the core stages of shoeing:

• Examining the equine and the condition of its hooves, including gait, conformation and existing shoe wear
• Trimming and preparing hooves to achieve balance, level and shape without injury
• Selecting, shaping and fitting shoes to suit the individual equine and shoeing plan
• Attaching shoes and finishing the job, including checking fit and equine welfare and maintaining service records

Find more information on ACMFAR409 – Select and Fit Shoes for Normal Healthy Equines on training.gov.au.

Learning Outcomes

• Examine an equine and the condition of its hooves to determine shoeing needs
• Trim and prepare hooves to achieve balance, level and shape
• Select and fit shoes suited to the individual equine
• Attach shoes and finish the shoeing process safely

On successful completion you receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for ACMFAR409 Select and Fit Shoes for Normal Healthy Equines.

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit. There must be evidence that the individual has:

• Determined and selected appropriate shoes, and shaped and fitted pre-manufactured shoes to at least two cadaver fore and hind limbs (four in total)
• Assessed the shoeing needs and fitted shoes to at least two normal, healthy equines, including observing gait and conformation, trimming and preparing hooves, selecting and fitting shoes, and discussing future hoof care with relevant personnel

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• Equine anatomical features relevant to farrier services, including the lower limb and hoof, normal gait and conformation, and techniques to alleviate common faults and defects through shoeing
• Trimming techniques, including the effects of trimming on stance and action and the limits of safe trimming
• Tools for removing and fitting shoes and trimming hooves
• Types of shoes and orthopaedic modifications, reasons for use and fitting techniques
• Providing advice and referrals, and key principles of animal welfare legislation as applied to farriery services
• Safe work practices, including hazard identification and risk control, manual handling, PPE, safe equine handling zones, and safe waste handling and disposal