Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify, safely catch, control, handle and release calm, consistent and obedient horses educated for the relevant activity. It covers knowledge of potential risks when handling horses to support the welfare and safety of the individual, other workers and the horse.

This unit applies to workers who undertake routine work under supervision and apply knowledge and judgement to solve predictable issues when handling horses. Work environments may include stables, paddocks, yards, tracks, work arenas and other exercise areas.

Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to interacting with horses apply to workers in this industry. Requirements vary between industry sectors and jurisdictions.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, except for the racing industry, where requirements vary between states and territories. Users working in the racing industry are advised to contact the relevant Principal Racing Authority for advice on current requirements.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Equine (EQU)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

Assessment requirements

Modification History

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 safely handled at least three different calm, consistent and obedient horses. The individual must have safely approached, caught, controlled, led and restrained each horse, including:

• identified at least three horse handling hazards and assessed associated risks
• controlled safety risks when handling horses, including:

• communicated clearly with supervisor and/or others near the horse being handled
• selected and correctly fitted personal protective equipment (PPE)
• applied safe and low stress horse handling techniques and practices
• fitted and correctly used horse handling gear, including prepared halter and lead in hand prior to approaching the horse
• identified safety zones, confirmed horse is aware of handler, avoided danger zones, untied and led horse
• positioned self to reduce risk of harm to self and others

• led horse safely:

• using handling cues to achieve the desired horse response, including ‘go’, ‘slow’, ‘turn’ and ‘stop’
• on its own through gates, narrow openings and confined spaces
• in single file with other horses and handlers
• through a group of at least 2 horses
• under control past others leading a horse

• secured horse to tie-up point using safe knot.

In addition to the above, the individual must have, for at least one horse:

• safely and effectively applied a restraint to horse, using at least one of the following:

• hobble
• nose twitch
• skin twitch
• horse crush
• fitted an anti-rearing bit
• fitted a bit and bridle
• fitted and used appropriately a nose chain to headcollar

• correctly lifted and checked fore and hind hooves
• removed halter and lead while assuming safe body position in relation to horse
• reported one incident to supervisor.

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:

• features of a horse, including height, points, colour, markings, gender
• basic characteristics of common horse behaviour, natural instincts and social traits
• features of horse body language, including:

• posture and facial features that indicate horses are relaxed
• posture and facial features that indicate horses are threatened or defensive
• posture and facial features that indicate horses are distressed

• typical horse responses to people, clothing and common human body language, including:

• aggressive
• relaxed and approachable
• self-confident

• typical horse responses to environmental factors, including:

• weather
• natural environment
• physical environment, including infrastructure

• basic horse behaviours, including fight and flight responses, body language, herd, small group and adverse behaviours
• common hazards and/or risks that occur when handling horses, including:

• horse bites, kicks, strikes, stomping, crushing and being knocked
• zoonoses, including Hendra and ringworm
• weather, including wind and rain

• common controls to eliminate or minimise risks when handling horses, including:

• current assessment of horse suitability
• use of safe and low stress horse handling practices
• movement within horse safety zones
• horse restraints, including horse gear, twitch and crush
• fences and other barriers
• infection control, including personal hygiene
• pre-activity checks, including gear and equipment, horse behaviour and suitability in readiness for work tasks

• purpose, use, maintenance and storage of PPE for handling horses, including:

• clothing and footwear
• face and eye protection
• hand protection
• head protection

• common equine workplace written and verbal communication procedures and protocols
• common types of injuries sustained by horses, handlers and others during handling activities
• how horses learn through cues, pressure-release and repetition and reward
• safe body position in relation to horses, and use of cues to start, slow down, stop and turn horse
• quick release knots and safe methods of securing horses
• features, purpose, effects, reactions and animal welfare considerations of common horse restraints, including:

• nose twitch and skin twitch and ear twitch
• hobbles
• crush
• chains, bits and bridles
• chemical restraints.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• an equine workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

• resources, equipment and materials:

• live horses specified in the performance evidence, assessed as suitable for the assessment of this unit and the individual being assessed
• structures, tools and equipment required for the tasks specified in the performance evidence, including correctly fitted gear for the horses and correctly fitted PPE for the handler
• other horse handler and horses required for the tasks specified in the performance evidence
• the incident scenario in the performance evidence may be simulated

• specifications:

• workplace procedures for handling horses

• relationships:

• supervisor and other workers.

The Companion Volume:User Guide: Safety in Equine Training provides advice and sample templates to assist assessors with the risk assessments that should be undertaken to help ensure the safety of all involved in the assessment.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103