Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to identify horses and horse behaviour; safely catch, lead and tie up a well-educated horse with docile temperament; fit common items of gear and rugs; and clean and store gear under supervision of an experienced person competent in horse handling skills.

The term well-educated horse' refers to an animal that has undergone sufficient training to ensure that it behaves in a safe, tractable and manageable way when being handled, even by inexperienced personnel.

It is recommended that RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices be delivered in conjunction with or before this unit of competency.

This unit of competency operates in work environments of stables, yards and paddocks.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports new workers and others in the various horse industries who are required to identify, catch and handle horses safely while working under supervision.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Use general horse industry terminology.

1. Points of the horse, external body parts and features are identified by name and location.

2. Horses are described using common horse industry expressions .

Safely catch and handle horses.

3. Appropriate catching and handling gear  is identified and prepared for use.

4. Horse behaviour signals  are interpreted prior to approaching horses.

5. Horses are approached and caught .

6. Horses are lead and controlled  within stables, yards and paddocks.

7. Horses are tied up  or released safely.

Fit and remove rugs to and from horses.

8. Rugs  are correctly identified for individual horses.

9. Correct procedures for fitting and removing rugs are completed under supervision.

Fit and maintain specified gear.

10. Stable or paddock gear  is correctly identified for individual horses.

11. Correct procedures for fitting and removing stable or paddock gear are completed under supervision.

12. Exercise, stable and paddock gear is cleaned and stored appropriately.

13. Signs of wear and damage  to gear are reported to stable supervisor.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• applying safe work practices when catching and handling horses
• catching and handling a range of quiet and well-educated horses in a variety of environments following instructions and under supervision
• cleaning and checking gear for wear and tear
• communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to catching and handling horses
• completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame
• complying with animal welfare policies in the handling and care of horses
• interpreting and following supervisor's instructions
• identifying common behaviour signals of horses
• identifying, selecting and correctly fitting nominated gear for catching and handling horses
• identifying, selecting and fitting common stable and paddock gear and equipment
• identifying common breeds of horses
• identifying points of the horse
• relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• reporting problems promptly
• supporting others in identifying, catching and handling horses in the appropriate manner
• tying up and releasing horses safely
• using common horse industry terminology.

Required knowledge 

• basic colours and markings of horses
• basic industry terminology related to handling and caring for horses
• communication procedures to seek information, advice or assistance
• common safe horse handling techniques
• points of the horse
• principles of safe work practices
• racing industry animal welfare requirements
• range of common stable and paddock horse gear
• senses and behaviour patterns of horses
• social behaviour and communication methods of horses.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

• knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that apply to catch and handle horses safely under supervision
• implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient catching and handling of horses under supervision
• working with others to undertake and complete procedures under supervision that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of well-educated horses of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in horse industry environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency may be assessed in a horse industry workplace or simulated environment that provides access to the required resources. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

• a variety of horses
• materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to catch and handle horses safely under supervision
• safe handling areas, such as stables or training arenas
• work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

• written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
• observed and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
• simulation exercises.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:

• RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices
• RGRPSH102A Perform basic stable duties.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to catch and handle quiet horses under supervision. Workplaces include stables, yards, training arenas, paddocks and public areas.

Common horse industry expressions  may include common terms used to describe:

• horse behaviour, including when horses are:

• being handled, for example:

• barging
• rearing
• striking

• in the stable, yard or paddock, for example:

• cast
• cribbing
• fence walking
• weaving
• wind sucking

• sick or injured

• horse colours and markings
• horse condition and eating habits
• stable tasks, for example:

• floating
• hosing
• lunging
• mucking out
• strapping
• tacking up.

Catching and handling gear  may include:

• anti-rearing or other bits used for leading
• bridle
• double clip lead
• halter and lead
• head collar and lead
• personal protective equipment.

Behaviour signals  may include:

• communication traits of horses, including:

• body signals
• facial expressions
• verbal signals

• methods the horse uses to show:

• aggression
• friendliness
• illness
• sexual interest or disinterest
• sleep

• warning to keep away.

Horses may be approached and caught  by:

• adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and safe workplace practices
• adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare
• approaching horse from near side
• arranging gear in advance of handling
• checking soundness of gear before approaching
• encouraging horse to face handler
• planning approach route and identifying safest areas for catching
• talking to the horse
• taking care moving around and catching horses in groups
• using and fitting appropriate and approved gear.

Horses are lead and controlled  by:

• leading into and out of stables, yards and paddocks
• leading person to person when approaching another horse moving in opposite direction
• leading through gates or stable doors, which are open or shut
• maintaining appropriate length of lead to allow horse to walk freely without getting ahead or away from handler
• never wrapping lead around any part of handler's body
• never letting horse turn its tail to handler
• using both hands on lead
• using leads of suitable length
• using suitable tone of voice to reassure or control
• walking at near side shoulder.

Horses are tied up  by:

• positioning horse correctly
• using a head collar and lead
• using baling twine
• using a quick release knot.

Rugs  may include:

• combo rugs
• paddock or stable rugs
• rugs with leg straps, surcingles or rollers, fillet straps or other fittings
• sweat rugs.

Stable or paddock gear  may include:

• fly veils
• hoods
• miscellaneous equipment used on individual horse in stables or paddocks, including:

• collars
• muzzles
• wind-sucking collars

• rug rollers
• tail bags.

Signs of wear and damage  will include:

• cracked leather or PVC
• frayed leads, girths and surcingles
• rusted or cracked bits, buckles and clips
• stretched or torn holes in strapping.

Unit Sector 

Harness and thoroughbred racing codes

Co-requisite units 

Functional Area 

Racing performance services