Profession horse breeder

Horse breeders oversee the production and day-to-day care of horses. They maintain the health and welfare of horses.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Signs of animal illness

  Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.

• Health and safety regulations

  Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.

• Animal nutrition

  Aspects of how different animal species are fed and provided water. Different types of animal food, the quality criteria for animal food and methods to feed and give water to animals.

• Livestock species

  Livestock species and relevant genetics.

• Livestock feeding

  Food given to domestic animals in the course of animal husbandry. 

• Animal welfare legislation

  The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.

• Equine dental diseases

  Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases for horses.

• Livestock reproduction

  Understand natural and artificial reproduction techniques, gestation periods and birthing for livestock. Understand the humane destruction of relevant animals in accordance with national legislation.

Skills

• Manage animal hygiene

  Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site hygiene controls and protocols to others. Manage the safe disposal of waste according to destination and local regulations.

• Dispose of dead animals

  Dispose of dead animals which are not considered a source of meat. Bury or cremate the animal based on the wishes of the owners or on other criteria.

• Provide nutrition to animals

  Provide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.

• Manage animal biosecurity

  Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising potential health issues and taking appropriate action, communicating site hygiene control measures and biosecurity procedures, as well as reporting to others.

• Monitor the welfare of animals

  Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.

• Control animal movement

  Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.

• Manage livestock

  Manage production programmes, birth plans, sales, feed purchase orders, materials, equipment, housing, location and stock management. Manage the destruction of relevant animals in humane manner and in accordance with national legislation. Follow businesses requirements and integration into qualitative research and knowledge transfer.

• Create animal records

  Create animal records according to industry relevant information and using appropriate record keeping systems.

• Administer specific drugs to facilitate breeding

  Administer specific drugs for synchronisation of breeding cycles to animals in accordance with veterinary and owner instructions. This includes the safe use and storage of drugs and equipment and record keeping.

• Advise horse owners on farriery requirements

  Discuss and agree the farriery and hoof care requirements of the equine with the responsible person.

• Manage horse breeding

  Manage a suitable environment for horse breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate habitats for specific kinds of horses. Monitor the horse's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. Determinate when the horses are ready for trade, training or other purposes.

• Select livestock

  Tag, sort and separate animals by purpose and destination taking into account the condition of the animal and relevant legislation

• Operate farm equipment

  Supervise the smooth running of farm equipment which can include high pressure cleaning equipment, heating or air conditioning and monitor the temperature of premises. Make sure tractors and other vehicles are running smoothly. Interpret instructions given by computer programs and report simple operations.

• Administer treatment to animals

  Administer animal medical interventions, including the treatments performed, medicines used, and assessments of the state of health.

• Maintain animal accommodation

  Make sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.

• Assist in transportation of animals

  Assist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transport process.

• Care for juvenile animals

  Assess the needs of the offspring and juvenile animals. Take appropriate action without delay in case of problems with the health of the offspring or juvenile.

• Provide first aid to animals

  Administer emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians prior to first-aid provided by a veterinarian. Non-veterinarians providing emergency treatment are expected to seek treatment by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Monitor livestock

  Monitor and record the production and the welfare of the livestock.

• Feed livestock

  Calculate feed rations for all stages of growth and prepare, distribute and control quality of fodder.

• Train horses

  Harness, dress and train horses as per the instructions provided. Take into account the age and breed of the horse and the preparation purposes.

• Manage the health and welfare of livestock

  Assess the current health status of your livestock. Manage any existing disease or disorder, including the requirements for isolation of livestock. Plan and manage a livestock health and welfare plan including clearly defined targets, consulting with specialists/advisers where appropriate. Work closely with the veterinary surgeon and other specialist consultants/advisers.

• Maintain professional records

  Produce and maintain records of work performed.

• Assist animal birth

  Assist in animal births, and care for newborn livestock.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB