Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Evaluate factors that influence horse comfort in relation to saddlery and equipment use

1.1 Conformational, breed and developmental characteristics  of horses are related to fit of saddlery and equipment

1.2 Impact of shape and size of rider/driver/load on horse's balance and comfort is evaluated

1.3 Horse behavioural and physical symptoms  are interpreted in relation to fit of gear

1.4 Materials  used in the construction of saddlery and equipment are evaluated for comfort and durability

2 Relate saddlery and equipment design and condition to purpose and safety considerations

2.1 Saddlery and equipment  used in a range of horse activities  are identified

2.2 Saddlery and equipment design  is related to horse activities

2.3 Stress and wear points of saddlery and equipment are identified and evaluated

2.4 Condition  of saddlery and equipment is evaluated

3 Assess the fit of saddles and bridle wear

3.1 Saddle template is used to estimate saddle size and shape, and results documented

3.2 Fit of saddles  is evaluated, and reported to owner

3.3 Fit of common bridles, halters and bitless bridles  is evaluated, and reported to owner

3.4 A range of common bit types  is evaluated, and reported to owner

3.5 Options for adjusting saddlery and equipment  for improved horse comfort are identified and discussed with owner and/or other specialists

4 Assess the fit of accessory tack and equipment

4.1 Fit of saddle mounts  is identified, assessed and reported to owner

4.2 Fit of training, corrective or accessory gear  is assessed and reported to owner

4.3 Fit of boots is assessed, and reported to owner

4.4 Options for adjusting accessory tack and equipment for improved horse comfort are identified, presented and discussed with owner and/or other specialists

Required skills include:

Ability to: 

• analyse and solve problems using available information and resources including recording information and prioritising daily tasks
• apply interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
• communicate effectively with others, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from other relevant persons
• consult clearly and precisely with other equine service providers and horse owners or carers
• employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling horses
• follow sequenced written instructions; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks
• identify the impact of size and shape of rider/driver and load on horse comfort
• interpret and respond to horse behaviour
• maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection; considering zoonotic and exotic disease possibilities (biosecurity)
• numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace elements
• read and follow required policies and procedures, including OHS, infection control and waste management
• relate saddlery and equipment shape and style to purpose and performance needs
• use safe manual handling techniques and equipment
• use safe, hygienic and environmentally friendly waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of: 

• anatomical and physiological structures, features and functions related to the fit of saddlery and equipment
• features of fit for saddlery and equipment
• impact on horse comfort of rider/driver and load
• impact on saddle and equipment fit of breed, conformation and body shape status
• industry terminology related to saddlery and equipment fit and purpose
• methods used to adjust fit of saddlery and equipment
• principles of animal welfare
• range of saddlery and equipment available including designs, styles and materials
• relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice, including OHS, animal welfare and ethics, and waste disposal
• requirements for saddlery and equipment for a range of horse activities
• safe work practices
• workplace hygiene standards (biosecurity) including: disinfectants, cleaning agents and techniques, cleaning and appropriate disinfection or sterilisation of equipment, materials and personal protective equipment (PPE).

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

• assess construction, purpose and suitability of saddlery and equipment
• evaluate factors that can affect the comfort of horses in relation to saddlery and equipment use
• assess fit and condition of saddlery and equipment and make recommendations on adjustments.

The skills and knowledge required to evaluate fit of saddlery and equipment must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment for this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an equine workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to horses and ponies from a range of breeds and age groups and a wide range of saddlery and equipment used on performance and working horses and other relevant information, materials and documentation to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry standards, on more than two occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include assessment of competency in a work environment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:

• written and oral assessment of candidate’s required knowledge
• observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate’s application of practical tasks
• simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
• case studies
• third-party evidence
• workplace documentation.

This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socio-economic backgrounds).

The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Developmental characteristics  may include:

• changes in body shape due to:

• body condition score
• education level
• fitness level
• maturity
• teething.

Behaviour and physical symptoms  may include:

• behavioural:

• bucking
• during girthing-up
• biting
• groaning
• sitting down
• reluctance to stand still
• flicking ears
• getting tongue over the bit
• head shyness
• rearing
• reluctance to accept bit
• reluctance to jump
• reluctance to move forward with usual stride or tempo
• reluctance to stand for mounting
• tossing or shaking head
• travelling with head and neck raised
• travelling with mouth open or jaw crossed

• physical:

• bleeding
• broken skin
• presence of white hair unrelated to skin pigment

• on back
• trunk
• head

• legs
• rub marks
• scarring
• swelling.

Materials  may include:

• saddlery and equipment:

• cotton
• elastane and other stretch materials
• horse hair
• leather
• neoprene
• other synthetics
• materials used for shock absorption
• metal and plastic fittings
• non-galling fabrics
• plastic coated webbing
• plastics
• sheepskin
• wool

• bits:

• copper
• nickel-plated
• other metals
• plastics
• rubber
• stainless steel.

Saddlery and equipment  may include:

• breast plates and cruppers
• bridles, halters and bitless bridles
• bits
• boots and bandages
• girth
• saddles and mounts
• saddle cloths and pads
• training, corrective and accessory head gear:

• head checks
• lungeing equipment
• martingales
• nosebands.

Horse activities  may include:

gear design for particular purpose:

• display and ceremonial
• side saddle
• Arabian
• Spanish
• harness:

• 3 phase driving
• heavy horse
• lightweight show
• pleasure driving
• racing
• riding for the disabled

• flat riding:

• dressage
• endurance
• hacking
• lungeing and long reining
• Paralympics riding
• polo
• polocrosse
• racing
• tent pegging
• trail riding
• vaulting

• jumping:

• eventing
• hunting
• racing
• showjumping

• stock horse:

• Australian
• Western.

Design  may include:

• construction considerations:

• availability of raw materials
• cost of finished product
• custom-made or mass-produced
• long-term versus short-term use
• need to fit more than one horse or rider versus individual fit
• primary use

• horse activity considerations:

• ability to absorb or repel sweat, water, dirt
• aesthetic considerations related to shape, size, materials and colours used
• durability, strength and stability of materials and design in relation to safety
• parade or display versus performance activity
• rules and regulations related to equipment used.

Condition  may include:

• wear of materials, hardware and fitting:

• broken, frayed or stretched stitching
• broken, loose or bent hardware
• split, frayed or worn materials
• stretched or split adjustment holes

• finish of materials or hardware:

• clean, mouldy, dirty, dusty
• supple, brittle or cracked materials
• tarnished or cracking hardware surface
• torn, pilled or contaminated cloth or Velcro attachments.

Fit of saddles may include: 

• saddle fit assessment:

• channel width
• D rings/attachments
• gullet plate
• length and breadth - saddle vs conformation
• panels
• tree
• stuffing

• saddle types:

• stock horse:

• full
• poley

• Western:

• barrel racing
• cutting
• reining
• roping
• western pleasure

• equestrian disciplines:

• dressage
• eventing
• hacking
• jumping
• military
• polo

• harness:

• 3 phase driving
• heavy horse
• light horse

• parade and costume:

• Arabian
• Native American
• Spanish

• racing:

• flat
• harness
• jumping.

Bridles, halters and bitless bridles  may include:

• bitless bridles
• double bridles
• hackamores:

• bosals
• mechanical hackamores

• single bit bridles:

• one ear
• ring head
• split head.

Common bit types  may include:

• curbs
• gags
• mouthing and leading
• overcheck
• pelhams
• snaffles.

Options for adjusting saddlery and equipment  may include:

• saddle:

• using adjustable air panels and saddle cloths
• changing or re-shaping gullet plates
• changing girth point position or configuration
• using smaller or larger saddle
• selecting a wider or more narrow saddle

• girth:

• length
• width
• material
• shape
• buckle configuration

• bridle:

• mixing bride parts and noseband sizes for according to head shape
• making more adjustment holes
• using a different shape noseband or headpiece design

• bit:

• connecting joint design – cannons and shanks
• material (iron/chrome/copper)
• port height
• shank length
• shape
• size/diameter
• weight
• width

• varying position and number of adjustment holes or places
• modifying packing
• use of padding under saddle:

• gel pads
• horse hair or equivalent synthetic pads
• risers
• sheepskin or synthetic anti-rub materials
• towels or other temporary packing
• withers pads.

Saddle mounts  may include:

• breastplates
• cruppers
• girths:

• surcingles
• over girth
• western girth rigs

• stirrups:

• safety irons
• knife edge
• racing
• western

• stirrup leathers
• stud guards.

Training, corrective and accessory gear  may include:

• lungeing:

• chambon
• lungeing cavesson
• lungeing roller
• side reins

• corrective head accessories
• de Gogue
• head checks
• running and draw reins
• martingales:

• irish
• market harborough
• running
• standing

• nosebands:

• cavesson
• dropped
• Hanoverian
• Crackle
• crank

• protectors or eye sight controllers:

• blinkers and pacifiers
• shadow rolls
• poll protector
• serving boots
• barrier blankets.