Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to prepare a horse and self to attend and participate in horse events and/or activities. It includes presentation grooming, caring for horses at events, complying with rules and regulations of the event, managing deadlines and responsibilities, self-presentation, and basic sports psychology. It addresses potential risks associated with working with and around horses.

The unit applies to individuals who have experience working in performance horse industry sectors in a range of environments. They carry out work under minimal supervision within industry guidelines and may have 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 Horses (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 participated in at least two horse events and activities, handling at least two different compliant and manageable performance horses, including:

• conducting a pre-activity risk assessment for participating in horse events and activities
• ensuring horses are treated gently and calmly to minimise stress and discomfort at all stages
• preparing a horse for show presentation, including:

• trimming a horse
• dressing hooves
• attiring horse and rider, driver and/or handler to suit industry performance requirements
• identifying and caring for gear and equipment relevant to event or activity
• grooming and/or strapping procedures relevant to event or activity

• ensuring personal presentation is appropriate for event
• caring for horse during event:

• feeding, watering, housing, exercising, rugging, and health checks
• representing the stable professionally through presentation and management of operations throughout event
• preparing horses for transport
• loading and unloading horses

• complying with official instructions.

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:

• reasons for trimming horses and factors affecting what to trim
• grooming and turnout appropriate to competition requirements
• personal presentation requirements
• equipment and tack selection and presentation
• horse transport animal welfare and legal requirements
• time management
• caring for horses during an event
• event format, rules and regulations, including:

• times, location/s
• equipment guidelines
• prohibited substances, e.g. therapeutics, supplements

• confidentiality requirements regarding individual horses
• animal welfare legislation guidelines
• basic sports psychology
• performance-related health issues, including:

• tying-up
• tendon strain
• fatigue
• dehydration.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions for performance in real competitions or event setting

• resources, equipment and materials:

• live, compliant and manageable performance horses, assessed as suitable for the skill and experience of the individual to participate in events and activities
• personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly fitted and applicable to activity for the individual
• appropriate tack for individual, horse and competition or event activities

• specifications:

• competition or event rules and workplace procedures or guidelines for the safe handling of horse at competitions or events.

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