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Unit of competency details

ACMEQU202 - Handle horses safely (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Superseded
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Is superseded by ACMEQU212 - Handle horses safelyUnit redesigned to include greater knowledge and application of horse behaviour and safe horse handling skills for a broader range of tasks and contexts. Includes content from ACMEQU202 Handle horses safely, and ACMEQU205 Apply knowledge of horse behaviour. Prerequisite unit removed. Major changes to all sections of the unit 17/Feb/2022
Is superseded by ACMEQU217 - Load and unload horsesRedesigned unit that includes content from Element 3 of previous unit 17/Feb/2022

Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 29/Nov/2017

Companion volumes:
Unit of competency Assessment requirements

Delivery:
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Training packages that include this unit

Qualifications that include this unit

CodeSort Table listing Qualifications that include this unit by the Code columnTitleSort Table listing Qualifications that include this unit by the Title columnUsage RecommendationRelease
AHC20122 - Certificate II in AgricultureCertificate II in AgricultureCurrent1 
SIS40321 - Certificate IV in Sport CoachingCertificate IV in Sport CoachingCurrent1 
RGR20221 - Certificate II in Racing IndustryCertificate II in Racing IndustryCurrent1 
ACM20221 - Certificate II in Horse CareCertificate II in Horse CareCurrent1 
ACM30821 - Certificate III in Horse CareCertificate III in Horse CareCurrent1 
SIS30521 - Certificate III in Sport CoachingCertificate III in Sport CoachingCurrent1 
ACM40517 - Certificate IV in Equine DentistryCertificate IV in Equine DentistrySuperseded1 
RGR20218 - Certificate II in Racing IndustryCertificate II in Racing IndustrySuperseded1-2 
ACM20217 - Certificate II in Horse CareCertificate II in Horse CareSuperseded1 
ACM40418 - Certificate IV in Veterinary NursingCertificate IV in Veterinary NursingCurrent1-2 
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Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  14/Feb/2018 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 

Comments 

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 1.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify, safely catch, control and handle calm, consistent and obedient horses educated for the relevant activity. It covers knowledge of potential risks working with and around horses and following industry guidelines and procedures to ensure the welfare and safety of the individual, other workers and the horse.

The unit applies to individuals who have no experience, limited experience or no recent experience working in the relevant horse industry sector. They undertake defined routine activities under supervision and have limited responsibility for their own work. Working environments may include stables, paddocks, yards, tracks, exercise arenas and public areas.

No licensing 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.

Work health and safety and animal welfare legislation relevant to interacting with horses applies to workers in this industry. Requirements vary between industry sectors and state/territory jurisdictions. Users are advised to check with the relevant authority for specific requirements.

NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.

Pre-requisite Unit

Prerequisite unit of competency for this unit is:

  • ACMEQU205 Apply knowledge of horse behaviour.

Unit Sector

Equine (EQU)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements 

Performance Criteria 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Identify features of horses

1.1 Distinguish horses by their features, and describe using industry terminology

1.2 Identify common horse behaviour and social traits

2. Safely approach, catch, control and lead horses

2.1 Check and clarify supervisor instructions for tasks requiring involving approaching, catching and leading horse

2.2 Select and correctly fit personal protective equipment (PPE)

2.3 Identify, select and prepare appropriate gear for handling horses safely

2.4 Identify and report to supervisor potential safety risks prior to approaching horse

2.5 Identify horse according to instructions and observe horse body language and behaviour before approaching

2.6 Prepare halter and lead in hand prior to approaching the horse

2.7 Approach calmly and catch horse using safe handling techniques under supervision

2.8 Apply safe control when leading and tying up horse and use safe handling practices around tied-up horses

2.9 Use safe handling procedures around other handlers and horses

3. Load and unload horses under supervision

3.1 Check and clarify supervisor instructions for tasks requiring the loading and unloading of horses

3.2 Identify potential safety risks to handler and horse when loading and unloading horses, and discuss with supervisor

3.3 Select and correctly fit PPE for safe loading and/or unloading of horses

3.4 Select gear and equipment for loading horse and check gear for safety

3.5 Fit gear to horse correctly prior to loading under supervision

3.6 Load horses safely according to instructions under supervision

3.7 Position horse according to transport configuration

3.8 Unload horse safely according to instructions under supervision

4. Control horses in exercise environments

4.1 Check and clarify supervisor instructions for tasks requiring the handling of horses in public areas

4.2 Identify potential safety risks to handler and horse when handling horses in public areas, and discuss with supervisor

4.3 Select and correctly fit PPE for safe handling of horses

4.4 Select gear and equipment, including safety check of gear

4.5 Observe and identify horse body language and behaviour prior to handling in exercise environments

4.6 Use safe control when leading and standing with a horse in a public area under supervision

4.7 Use safe control when leading and standing with a horse confined in a stable or yard

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.

Skill 

Description 

Oral communication
  • Use active listening and questioning techniques to clarify and confirm supervisor instructions
  • Use industry terminology to describe horses, gear and equipment used for handling horses

Navigate the world of work
  • Follow workplace procedures, including work health and safety and animal welfare requirements, relating to own role and work area
  • Demonstrate a duty of care to self and others when working with horses

Get the work done
  • Assemble resources and follow clear, sequenced instructions for handling horses under supervision

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version 

Code and title previous version 

Comments 

Equivalence status 

ACMEQU202 Handle horses safely

Not applicable

New unit

No equivalent unit

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72

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

Release 

Comments 

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 1.0.

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria of this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual safely handled at least three different calm, consistent and obedient horses educated for the activity being performed including:

  • carrying out a basic risk assessment prior to each activity, including observing and identifying horse body language
  • communicating clearly with supervisor, including raising safety risks or concerns
  • approaching, catching, controlling, leading, standing and tying up horses safely in at least one public space and one confined space, under supervision, including:
  • following work health and safety (WHS) procedures in the context of own work
  • applying safe horse handling techniques according to animal welfare requirements
  • fitting and correctly using horse handling gear and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • loading and unloading horses to a horse transport vehicle under supervision in a calm and humane manner.

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:

  • common features of a horse, including points, colour, markings, gender, and common breeds
  • basic characteristics of common horse behaviour and social traits
  • features of horse body language
  • communication protocols with supervisor, and procedures within the work environment
  • potential hazards and risks when dealing with horses in open and confined spaces
  • common types of injuries sustained by horses, handlers and others during handling activities
  • safe horse handling zones
  • purpose and use of PPE and gear for handling horses
  • features of defective equipment and the implications to safety
  • quick release knots and methods of securing horses
  • types of horse transport and common loading configurations
  • difficult situations that may occur when loading and unloading horses and procedures for dealing with difficulties.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

  • physical conditions:
  • a workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions, including open and confined spaces in suitable environments
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • various calm, consistent and obedient horses educated for the activity and assessed as suitable for the experience and skill of the individual
  • appropriate tack for individual, horse and activity
  • horse transport vehicle
  • PPE that is appropriate for activity and correctly fitted for individual
  • other people and horses in the vicinity of the assessment activity
  • specifications:
  • work instructions
  • relationships with others:
  • supervisor.

Training and assessment strategies must show evidence of the use of guidance provided in the Companion Volume: User Guide: Safety in Equine Training.

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=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72

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

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