Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to exercise performance horses under saddle. It involves preparing horses for exercise, riding a horse and leading one or two other horses for exercise while riding, and caring for the horses after work. It addresses potential risks associated with working with and around horses and covers appropriate riding skills, safe horse handling techniques and the use of suitable personal safety equipment.

The unit applies to individuals who are experienced riders and work 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:

• ACMEQU206 Perform basic horse riding skills at walk, trot and canter.

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 ridden and led compliant and manageable performance horses on at least three separate occasions, during which the following points have been demonstrated:

• conducting a pre-activity risk assessment relevant to riding and leading performance horses
• using safe horse handling procedures
• wearing and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• selecting, fitting and applying working gear and equipment for nominated horses
• applying required warm up methods to horses according to animal welfare requirements
• applying industry-accepted riding and leading techniques:

• maintaining correct rein position
• controlling horse under saddle at all times and maintaining appropriate gait
• controlling horse being led at the walk and trot
• maintaining correct positioning of horses
• identifying lameness and recognising signs of fatigue

• caring for horses after the work, including grooming and cool down activities according to animal welfare requirements
• cleaning, checking and storing equipment
• identifying and reporting information following work on:

• horse behaviour
• problems encountered
• physical response to exercise

• complying with workplace procedures and relevant legislation, rules and regulations:

• work health and safety (WHS)
• animal welfare and biosecurity.

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:

• process for horse identification
• safety provisions for horses and riders:

• identifying and controlling risks and hazards associated with riding and leading performance horses

• stable routines for preparing horses for work
• warm up and cool down routines
• key features of relevant rules and guidelines:

• work health and safety
• animal welfare
• biosecurity
• environmental safety

• safe horse handling and riding techniques, including:

• responses to horses becoming over-excited
• positioning of horses relative to each other during exercise
• industry practice for use of reins

• types and purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE) required for riding and leading performance horses
• types and purpose of gear for exercising horses
• characteristics of horse gaits.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a workplace or an environment that is hazard-free and suitable for riding and leading horses, and that accurately represents workplace conditions

• resources, equipment and materials:

• various live, suitably educated, compliant and manageable horses assessed as suitable for the experience and skill of the individual, where led horses are accustomed to being led off horseback individually and in multiples and ridden horses are trained to lead other horses
• personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly fitted and applicable to activity for the individual
• appropriate tack for individual, horse and exercise activity

• specifications:

• workplace procedures, instructions and work program for horses.

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