Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to introduce a horse, that is inexperienced on the lunge, to lungeing exercises by using techniques, routines and gear to control and direct a horse to lunge calmly.

This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction in industries involving horses. They apply knowledge of horse behaviour and technical skills with discretion and judgement to educate horses to lunge calmly in environments that may include round yards and fenced exercise arenas.

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

The prerequisite unit of competency for this unit is:

• ACMEQU220 Lunge educated horses.

Note the following chain of prerequisites that also apply to this unit. 

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 introduced and trained at least two horses that are inexperienced on the lunge, to lunge calmly and consistently on a lunge rein across the three gaits (walk, trot and canter) in a round yard or another suitable enclosed area.

For each horse and lungeing activity, the individual must have:

• identified at least three hazards, and assessed and controlled associated risks, including those occurring in the lungeing environment
• used safe and low stress horse handling techniques
• selected, checked and correctly fitted personal protective equipment (PPE)
• selected, correctly fitted and introduced appropriate lungeing gear and equipment to horses, including:

• single lunge rein
• lunge whip
• lunge roller or saddle
• bridle or lunge cavesson

• controlled and positioned the horse during walk, trot and canter:

• in both directions whilst safely adjusting own position, lunge rein and whip position
• using voice, handler body position, lunge rein and lunge whip to encourage inexperienced horses to start, stop and follow the track during lunge exercise

• selected and applied lungeing techniques that encourage inexperienced horses to maintain speed, tempo, gait and position on the track
• monitored basic horse health and behaviour during lunge exercise, and responded to signs of distress or injury according to workplace procedures
• carried out post-exercise care of horses, including warm down or cool down using at least one of the following:

• hand walking
• hosing
• grooming techniques

• cleaned horse gear and equipment according to workplace instructions and manufacturer instructions
• updated exercise program records and reported horse performance and condition.

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:

• safe and low stress horse handling techniques, safe zones and positioning techniques of handler to encourage inexperienced horses to lunge
• types and purpose of PPE suitable for lunge exercise
• features of a safe environment to lunge horses
• horse learning theory that can be applied to lungeing activities
• purpose and reasons for lungeing horses
• techniques for introducing inexperienced horses to lungeing
• types, purpose, correct fit and use of appropriate horse lungeing gear and equipment, including:

• single lunge rein
• lunge whip

• common horse behaviour, social traits, vices and responses related to lungeing horses
• potential hazards and risks associated with lungeing horses, including:

• horse behaviour
• other horses in vicinity
• handler skills and techniques
• distractions and phenomena that may unsettle horses

• considerations for selection of lungeing environments, including:

• suitable size
• suitable fence and gate, and fencing hazards
• surface, including type and depth, level and footing

• types of injury that may be sustained during lunge exercise
• signs of distress and injury that may arise during and after lungeing
• styles of lunge exercise and exercise routines
• horse welfare considerations related to exercise, including:

• weather, including wind and temperature
• fatigue and stress
• health status, including current injuries

• workplace horse exercise and condition reporting systems and practices.

Assessment Conditions

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

• physical conditions:

• a round yard or other enclosed area suitable for lungeing

• resources, equipment and materials:

• live horses specified in the performance evidence (that are inexperienced in lungeing prior to the assessment of the individual), that have also been assessed as suitable for the assessment of this unit and the individual being assessed
• appropriate horse gear, and equipment suitable for lungeing tasks specified in the performance evidence, including PPE
• workplace reporting and recording formats

• specifications:

• workplace procedures and instructions or program for educating horses to lunge.

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