Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge to fit, shape and assemble saddle components.

Application of the Unit 

This unit applies to the interpretation of customer requirements to fit a saddle tree, shape the saddle, and assemble the saddle. Saddle fitting and assembly must comply with industry guidelines and saddle specifications.

Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities.

The application of this unit is according to OHS practices of the enterprise and workplace practices, which may include:

• requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment
• standard operating procedures
• work instructions
• oral, written and visual communication
• quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output
• housekeeping
• tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling

This unit requires the application of skills associated with planning and organising for the safe and efficient application of processes and technology used in assembling saddle components. This unit also requires an ability to read, interpret and record customer requirements, check the quality of assembly outcomes and identify assembly faults and problems. Self management and planning and organising skills are used to ensure work complies with workplace requirements.

Prerequisites 

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Interpret shaping and fitting requirements

1.1 Information about customer requirements  for fitting and shaping is gathered and recorded

1.2 Saddle tree requirements are identified

1.3 Fitting and shaping requirements are identified

1.4 Attachments  and Additional features  are identified

1.5 Ordering requirements for saddle tree or associated materials and equipment are identified and documented

1.6 All identified requirements are documented and checked against original customer requirements, and any orders required are placed

2 Prepare to fit and assemble saddle

2.1 Assembly tasks  are identified

2.2 Personal protective equipment  is applied

2.3 Saddle tree is obtained, modified or constructed

2.4 Materials and equipment  for saddle assembly are prepared 

2.5 Saddle components are correctly identified and prepared

2.6 Work area is set up in accordance with task requirements, workplace procedures, and OHS practices 

3 Fit and assemble saddle

3.1 Saddle tree is checked  for quality and against horse dimensions, and further fitting consultation is undertaken with client or supervisor if required

3.2 Saddle pieces and padding are applied onto tree

3.3 Padding is fixed into position and saddle pieces are joined

3.4 Attachments and additional features are fixed into position

3.5 Shaped saddle is dried

4 Complete saddle assembly

4.1 Assembly of saddle is checked to ensure requirements are met, and further consultation with client or supervisor is undertaken if required

4.2 Saddle is checked for quality and correct assembly, and any defects are addressed and modifications made if possible

4.3 Saddle assembly is reviewed with customer or supervisor to ensure requirements are met

4.4 Assembly is finalised, and housekeeping and required documentation  completed

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Demonstrates knowledge of:

• features and purposes of different types of saddles
• fitting and shaping requirements for different horse breeds and riding requirements
• meaning of terms used in the fitting and shaping of saddles
• horse anatomy, as relevant to saddle fitting
• saddle components, attachments and common additional features
• saddle trees, their materials and how they are made and adjusted
• work area set up for saddle assembly
• leather performance and handling requirements
• methods for examining saddles for faults and quality
• quality standards of the enterprise and the industry
• tools and equipment for making saddlery products
• stitching techniques and equipment
• personal protective equipment required in saddlery
• attachments used in saddlery
• padding materials and procedures for applying
• quality standards and handling procedures
• safety and environmental aspects of relevant processes
• workplace operations and reporting procedures
• OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures
• practices for recording and reporting

Demonstrates skills to:

• access workplace and customer information
• identify customer requirements
• communicate with client to review requirements
• identify quality requirements
• identify assembly procedures, materials and resources
• obtain or modify appropriate mould for shaping
• identify additional skill or knowledge requirements
• apply personal protective equipment
• identify faults and quality of leather
• check saddle for strength, quality and accuracy
• assemble saddle according to industry and professional standards
• use assembly tools and equipment effectively to produce desired outcome
• analyse finished products to ensure requirements are met
• read, interpret, and follow information on work specifications, standard operating procedures and work instructions, and other reference material
• maintain accurate records
• sequence operations
• clarify and check task-related information
• carry out work according to OHS practices

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to:

• interpret and apply saddle specifications
• use saddlery tools and equipment
• conduct assembly techniques
• check work against specifications
• apply workplace health and safety policies in work operations
• maintain accurate records

Consistently applies skills and knowledge when:

• organising work
• completing tasks
• identifying improvements
• using workplace practices
• using OHS practices
• recording and reporting accidents and incidents
• assessing operational readiness of equipment used and work processes
• recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions
• completing work systematically with attention to detail without damage to goods and equipment

Context and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment may occur on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment and requires access to work areas, materials and equipment and to information on workplace practices and OHS practices.

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit may be assessed independently or in combination with other relevant units.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Legislative/regulatory requirements

All work must comply with relevant Federal and State or Territory legislative or regulatory requirements.

Information about customer requirements includes:

• breed and size of horse for saddle
• physical characteristics of horse, eg high-withered, short-backed, flat-backed
• horse riding tasks, eg cutting, racing, working
• weight requirements
• padding requirements

Attachments include:

• plates
• rings
• ties
• stirrups

Additional features include:

• desired leather stain
• decorative elements
• accessories
• dyeing
• stamping
• lacing

Assembly tasks include:

• obtaining, making and adjusting the saddle tree
• marking
• stitching
• adding attachments
• padding
• shaping
• fitting of saddle horn, bridle, rings
• polishing
• creasing
• staining
• finishing

Personal protective equipment includes:

• gloves
• apron and other protective clothing
• masks used for applying polishes and stains

Materials and equipment includes:

• mould or stand
• drying or curing equipment
• wetting agents
• stitching tools
• threads
• padding
• measuring tape
• assembly instructions or specifications

Prepared includes:

• cleaned
• checked for foreign objects
• sharpened (tools)
• checked for faults or damage

Saddle tree is checked includes:

• making sure the gullet is clear of the horse's backbone
• checking the tree is soundly constructed
• checking the tree is of suitable composition and weight for the intended purpose
• checking the tree is aligned to specified swell and canter

OHS practices

OHS practices must include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit, and may include:

• manual handling techniques
• standard operating procedures
• personal protective equipment
• safe materials handling
• taking of rest breaks
• ergonomic arrangement of workplaces
• following marked walkways
• safe storage of equipment
• housekeeping
• reporting accidents and incidents
• other OHS practices relevant to the job and enterprise

Required documentation includes:

• shaping procedure/modifications applied
• adjustments
• customer order information

Sector 

Leather Production