ACMFAR404 — Use farriery techniques to meet special needs of equines
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What an assessment for ACMFAR404 must cover
47 assessable components: 5 elements (24 performance criteria), 5 performance evidence and 11 knowledge evidence requirements, plus 7 foundation skills. An audit-defensible tool maps every question and task back to these — that mapping is the coverage matrix Auditori generates alongside the assessment.
Elements & performance criteria
1 Determine special needs of individual equines
- 1.1Identify hoof defects or conformation problems that may be fixed or alleviated by a farrier
- 1.2Determine the types of remedial, orthopaedic or therapeutic shoes or modifications, or hoof protection that may fix or alleviate the problem
- 1.3Identify potential problems that can be remedied by a farrier
- 1.4Determine the hoof care needs of foals and young equines
- 1.5Report conditions requiring higher- level investigation or treatment to other farriers, veterinarians or equine professionals
2 Arrange remedial actions
- 2.1Review equine symptoms and diagnostic images in consultation with the veterinarian
- 2.2Determine course of action and establish treatment regimen in consultation with a veterinarian and/or other equine professional
- 2.3Discuss and assess the implications of proposed actions
- 2.4Fabricate or modify remedial or orthopaedic and therapeutic shoes and/or other hoof protection products
3 Trim and repair hooves
- 3.1Handle equines safely and select personal protective equipment according to safe work practices, and monitor behaviour to reduce risks to equine, handlers and self
- 3.2Trim and prepare hooves in a safe manner without injury to equine
- 3.3Identify and perform hoof reconstruction procedures according to hoof care plan developed in consultation with veterinarian
- 3.4Check work to ensure hoof preparation meets quality outcomes
4 Fit remedial shoes and/or hoof protection
- 4.1Select tools, equipment and materials required for fitting remedial shoes and/or other hoof protection
- 4.2Shape, fit and/or adjust remedial shoes and/or other hoof protection according to plan
- 4.3Fit remedial shoes and/or other hoof protection to fore and hind feet and assess the need for any final adjustments
- 4.4Make final adjustments to the shape and size of the remedial shoes and/or other hoof protection
- 4.5Monitor risks and maintain safety of equine, self and others throughout the procedure
5 Attach shoes or hoof protection and finish shoeing process
- 5.1Select tools and materials suitable for attaching and clenching shoes or securing other hoof protection
- 5.2Attach shoe and/or other hoof protection safely, securely and in the correct position
- 5.3Finish the hoof and assess the finished job and the welfare of the equine
- 5.4Identify any signs of lameness by trotting the equine in a safe manner
- 5.5Advise of actions taken and future hoof care requirements
- 5.6Maintain service records according to workplace practices
Performance evidence
- assessed and addressed the special needs of at least one foal or young equine
- assessed the needs of at least one equine (or realistic simulation) that: - exhibits acute or chronic lameness - presents with an injury or damage that can be addressed with farriery techniques - engages in a particular sporting, working or other activity
- read at least one diagnostic image in consultation with a veterinarian and discussed equine symptoms and options for treatment
- discussed options and hoof care requirements relating to one equine with special needs, from the list above, with a veterinarian, other equine professional or equine owner/carer (or realistic role play)
- hand forged and/or modified pre-manufactured remedial shoes or hoof protection products to address a special need and trimmed hooves and fitted the shoes to at least two live equines
Knowledge evidence
- equine anatomical features relevant to farrier services, including: - lower limb and hoof and applicable biomechanical functions - conformation, normal gait and abnormalities of gait - characteristics of various breeds
- special requirements of equines, including: - foals and young equines - small ponies - chronically lame or injured equines - specialised heavy draught or carriage equines - specific equine disciplines or sporting performances
- symptoms and presentation of faults and problems, including: - injuries caused by the shoe, including capped elbow, overreach - defective hooves, including flat or twisted hoof; weak or low heels - injuries caused by gait abnormalities - limb or hoof diseases and injuries requiring protection and pressure relief - foal developmental orthopaedic diseases
- techniques to alleviate a range of conformation and/or hoof faults, defects and problems
- trimming techniques, including: - effects of trimming on the stance and action of an equine - limits of safe trimming and why these must not be exceeded
- types of shoes or hoof protection products, reasons for use and fitting techniques
- types of orthopaedic and therapeutic shoes or hoof protection products and modifications that may be made to address the needs of an equine with particular needs, including: - modern acrylic therapeutic aids - sole packs and hospital plates - other types of hoof protection
- referrals to veterinarians and/or other equine professionals
- restrictions on advice that can be given and avoiding perceptions of diagnostic or treatment advice which must be given by veterinarians
- key principles of animal welfare legislation as applied to farriery services
- safe work practices, including: - identify hazards and control risks when interacting with equines - manual handling - using personal protective equipment (PPE) - safe zones, equine handling techniques and use of restraints - hygiene, cleaning and disease control - safe waste handling and disposal
Foundation skills
- Reading: Interpret key information in instructions relevant to addressing special shoeing and hoof care needs of equines
- Writing: Record specifications and hoof plans for individual equines with special needs accurately in workplace documentation
- Numeracy: Use measuring devices and take measurements accurately
- Oral communication: Use clear language, accurate concepts and industry terminology to ensure clarity of meaning when reporting and requesting information
- Navigate the world of work: Take responsibility for adherence to workplace and industry requirements, including safety, animal welfare and infection control and biosecurity, relating to own role and work area
- Interact with others: Work as part of a team with other professionals, including veterinarians Follow accepted communication practices and protocols for reporting information to clients and equine professionals
- Get the work done: Observe and examine equines systematically using structured problem-solving processes to determine requirements to meet their special needs Assess quality of outcomes to prepare future hoof care plans and advice
Unit content sourced from training.gov.au — © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Auditori is not affiliated with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
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Questions about assessing ACMFAR404
What does an assessment tool for ACMFAR404 need to cover?
To satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence, an assessment for ACMFAR404 needs to address all 47 unit components: 5 elements with 24 performance criteria, 5 performance evidence requirements, 11 knowledge evidence requirements, and the foundation skills. A coverage matrix mapping each question and task to these components is what an auditor looks for.
How does Auditori generate an assessment tool for ACMFAR404?
Auditori pulls the current release of ACMFAR404 from training.gov.au and generates a complete package: candidate assessment, assessor guide with model answers and observation criteria, and a coverage matrix mapping every component. A suitably qualified person then reviews and approves the draft in a built-in workflow — consistent with ASQA's guidance on AI use in VET — before export as branded PDF and editable Word.
Is the first assessment tool really free?
Yes. Every new account includes one free credit — enough to generate the complete assessment tool for ACMFAR404 — with no card and no subscription required. After that it's pay-as-you-go per unit.
Can I check my existing ACMFAR404 assessment instead of generating a new one?
Yes — upload your existing assessment or learner guide and Auditori maps it against every element, performance criterion, PE and KE of ACMFAR404, showing exactly what's covered and what's missing. Mapping costs a quarter of a credit.
Related units
- ACMFAR305 — Perform welding tasks using a forge
- ACMFAR307 — Make standard shoes for a range of equines
- ACMFAR313 — Trim equine hooves
- ACMFAR314 — Perform routine welding techniques for farriery activities
- ACMFAR315 — Use and maintain hand and power tools for farriery or hoof care activities
- ACMFAR316 — Select and fit hoof boots to meet individual equine need
- ACMFAR317 — Replace equine shoes as an emergency measure
- ACMFAR318 — Repair and manufacture hand tools used in farriery
- ACMFAR319 — Handle equines safely during farriery or hoof care services
- ACMFAR401 — Apply knowledge of equine musculoskeletal system, biomechanics and pathology for effective hoof care
- ACMFAR402 — Fit shoes to alleviate moderate abnormalities and defects in equines
- ACMFAR403 — Fit shoes to alleviate severe abnormalities and defects in equines
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