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

Analyse equine biomechanics 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
335764  Analyse equine biomechanics 
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 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
This unit standard will build on knowledge of equine skeletal and muscular systems. It will develop a deeper understanding of equine conformation and movement in order to implement programmes to enhance equine performance. The knowledge of biomechanics in this context relates to the application of mechanical principles to movement of horses.

The qualifying learner will be capable of:
  • Defining equine biomechanics.
  • Analysing and predict equine performance.
  • Explaining the factors that impact on equine movement.
  • Applying remedial techniques to prevent injury and enhance performance. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the equine skeletal and muscular systems at NQF Level 4.
  • Assess conformation and movement at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Define equine biomechanics. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Biomechanics includes, but is not limited to:
  • Hoof and body. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Kinematics is defined in terms of equine biomechanics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Kinetics is defined in terms of the equine biomechanics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equine locomotion is described in relation to forces applied. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Analyse and predict equine performance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Gaits are described in terms of symmetrical and asymmetrical pattern of foot fall. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Gaits include, but are not limited to:
  • Walk, trot, canter, gallop, slow gait, rack and amble.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ideal limb sequencing is described in terms of beat (rhythm/timing) and suspension. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Gaits for which limb sequencing is described includes, but is not limited to:
  • Walk, trot, canter, gallop, slow gait, rack and amble.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Ideal jump sequences are described in terms of phases. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods, including observation and equipment used to assess equine locomotion are explained in terms of biomechanics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment includes, but is not limited to:
  • Video, treadmills, strain gauges, force/pressure plates, accelerometer, cartesin opto-electronic digital anthropometer (CODA) and electromyography.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the factors that impact on equine movement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Origin of, control and co-ordination of movement is explained in terms of equine locomotion. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Adaptation of body systems to the types of locomotion are explained in terms of stress that occur during locomotion. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Bone, joint, tendon, ligaments and muscles.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Factors affecting equine locomotion are explained in terms of biomechanics. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors include, but are not limited to:
  • Conformation, psychological factors, riders influences, environmental influences, chemical influences, tack, sex, age and shoeing.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Areas where fatigue, failures or systems overload occur are identified in relation to bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply preventative techniques to avoid injury and enhance performance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Categories of preventative techniques are identified in terms of physiological need. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Categories include, but are not limited to:
  • Cardio-vascular conditioning, strength training and supple exercises.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Preventative techniques are identified in terms of psychological need. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Psychological need includes, but is not limited to:
  • Aggression, anxiety, fear, age, Adrenalin and instincts.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Ancillary aids are identified in terms of injury prevention and performance need. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Ancilliary aids include, but are not limited to:
  • Protective boots, protective clothing, training tack, blinkers, heart rate monitor, ear mufflers, studs, pathological/therapeutic shoeing.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Programme for implementing techniques to avoid injury or enhance performance is designed in relation to a given case study. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal moderation of assessment.
  • Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in the specific outcomes of the Unit Standard as well as the integrated competence described in the purpose of the Unit Standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The qualifying learner will be able to understand and explain the following:
  • Equine skeletal and muscular systems.
  • Equine conformation and movement.
  • Equine biomechanics.
  • Performance enhancement programmes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems related to applying equine preventative techniques horses in which responses display that critical thinking is used for responsible decision making. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community in applying knowledge of equine biomechanics to enhancing equine performance. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in analyzing an equines movement and performance. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information about horse conformation in order to apply conditioning programmes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using appropriate modes of oral and/or written persuasion in dealing with all internal and external role-players to achieve the desired movement change in the horse. 

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  71469   Further Education and Training Certificate: Equine Practices  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    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.