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Unit of competency details

ACMEQU212 - Handle horses safely (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Current
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes ACMEQU202 - 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
Supersedes ACMEQU205 - Apply knowledge of horse behaviourRedesigned unit that includes content from ACMEQU202 Handle horses safely, and ACMEQU205 Apply knowledge of horse behaviour 17/Feb/2022

Release Status:
Current
Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 18/Feb/2022


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  27/Apr/2022 
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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 5.0.

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

Elements

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1. Identify horses and their typical behaviour

1.1 Distinguish horses by their features

1.2 Identify horse behaviour related to the natural instincts, sensory perceptions and social behaviour of horses

1.3 Identify and interpret common horse body language

1.4 Identify how horse behaviour is affected by human behaviour

1.5 Identify environmental factors that may affect horse behaviour

2. Identify and control personal risks when handling horses

2.1 Identify horse and known temperament, behaviour and level of education of horse prior to handling

2.2 Check and confirm suitability of horse against own handling ability, and required activities

2.3 Identify hazards, and assess and control and/or report risks related to handling horse

2.4 Use appropriate personal behaviour and body language when handling horse

3. Safely catch, lead, secure and release horse

3.1 Select and fit personal protective equipment (PPE) according to workplace procedures

3.2 Locate horse and observe horse body language and behaviour before approaching

3.3 Select appropriate horse gear for handling horse safely

3.4 Catch horse using halter, and lead, tie up and release horse using safe and low stress handling techniques

3.5 Lead horse through gateways and narrow openings, and among other horses and people

3.6 Catch, lead and release a horse within a group of horses

3.7 Apply suitable horse restraint techniques and/or equipment to secure and control horse for proposed activity

3.8 Lift fore and hind limbs and check horse's hooves

4. Respond to immediate safety risks

4.1 Monitor horse behaviour during all handling activities, and respond to situations and hazards that arise to avoid injury to self, others and horse

4.2 Use safe and low stress handling techniques to control or minimise risks to horse and handler

4.3 Report and seek assistance from supervisor on incidents and/or risks beyond level of own responsibility

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

Numeracy

  • Estimate and measure distance, area, weight, temperature and time

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

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version

Code and title previous version

Comments

Equivalence status

ACMEQU212 Handle horses safely

ACMEQU202 Handle horses safely

Unit 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

Not equivalent

ACMEQU212 Handle horses safely

ACMEQU205 Apply knowledge of horse behaviour

Redesigned unit that includes content from ACMEQU202 Handle horses safely, and ACMEQU205

Apply knowledge of horse behaviour

Not equivalent

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

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 5.0.

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