Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to care for performance horses on a daily basis. It involves grooming, clipping, rugging, feeding, basic turnout and addressing potential risks associated with working with and around horses.

The unit applies to individuals who work in performance horse industry sectors caring for performance horses that are in work and housed within a stabled or paddocked setting. They carry out work under minimal supervision within industry guidelines and may include responsibility for highly valuable animals.

No occupational licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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

The prerequisite unit of competency for this unit is:

• ACMEQU202 Handle horses safely.

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

Unit Sector

Performance Horse (PHR)

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 the elements and performance criteria of this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has cared for at least two different compliant and manageable performance horses. The following points must be demonstrated for each horse:

• identifying hazards and assessing and controlling risks within limit of control and responsibility
• cleaning stable, yard, feed and water vessels and horse housing to maintain environment in accordance with work health and safety (WHS) and animal welfare legislation and guidelines
• wearing and using personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly
• using safe horse handling techniques
• washing, grooming and rugging and unrugging horse
• clipping a horse according to instructions and under supervision
• identifying and preparing horse for work according to stable routine
• fitting and removing working gear to horse:

• selecting working gear for horse
• fitting exercise boots and bandages
• checking, cleaning and storing working gear

• checking horse condition and providing post exercise care
• feeding horse:

• preparing hard feed
• feeding stabled, yarded and paddocked horse
• completing feeding records

• completing stable records.

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:

• key features of work health and safety (WHS) and animal welfare legislation
• risk identification, assessment and minimisation processes
• purpose and types of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• characteristics of horse behaviour and basic horse education
• horse identification processes
• stable design and layout
• current industry practices for stable hygiene and basic biosecurity requirements
• stable work routines and scheduling of duties
• equipment and techniques for:

• washing horses
• clipping
• grooming

• types, fitting and application of rugs and rug accessories
• use, fitting, checking, maintaining and storing working gear
• post-exercise horse care
• applying and monitoring feeding plans:

• feed types and supplements
• normal and abnormal eating and drinking patterns and behaviours
• behaviour of horses during group and individual feeding
• safe practices for feeding horses in groups

• workplace recordkeeping practices and procedures.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

• resources, equipment and materials:

• live, compliant and manageable performance horses assessed as suitable for the experience and skill of the individual
• personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly fitted and applicable to activity for the individual
• feed and supplements for selected performance horses
• horse grooming, washing and clipping equipment
• tack and accessories required for caring for performance horses
• cleaning materials and equipment

• specifications:

• workplace procedures and feeding schedule for selected performance horses
• reporting forms or supervisor for reporting.

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=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103