Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify, safely catch, handle and control racehorses, and fit with appropriate gear.

The unit applies to individuals employed as stablehands, strappers, trainers and others authorised to handle standardbred or thoroughbred horses in work environments of racing stables, paddocks, yards, racetracks and public areas.

Competencies attained in this unit apply to the harness and thoroughbred codes of the industry. Consequently, when performance criteria are applied they will relate to the harness or thoroughbred code, and statements of attainment will reflect this distinction.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, in accordance with applicable state/territory animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislative requirements.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit. Users are advised to check with the relevant Principal Racing Authority (PRA) for current requirements.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Performance services horse (PSH)

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.

Range of Conditions

This section specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the individual, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c4b8489-f7e1-463b-81c8-6ecce6c192a0

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria of this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has:

• read brands and identified and distinguished at least four individual racehorses correctly using racing industry practices and terminology
• confirmed, clarified and followed supervisor instructions
• carried out a basic risk assessment prior to handling each racehorse, including applying knowledge of horse behaviour and body language
• approached, caught, led and controlled, under supervision, three different racehorses, of different ages and temperaments, including:

• in stables
• onto training track
• into cross ties

• prepared at least four horses for trackwork, including grooming and checking health and shoes
• selected and correctly fitted trackwork gear to four different racehorses, of different ages and temperaments, within industry accepted timeframes, and fitted own personal protective equipment
• carried out post-trackwork procedures, including cooling down, removing gear, hosing and health checking for at least four different horses.

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:

• features and basic industry terminology used to identify horses, including:

• physical features, including colour, markings, brands and size
• gender
• age – by reading brands
• registration documentation
• microchip

• common racehorse characteristics, including:

• temperament, behaviour and social traits, including undesirable traits
• body language
• response to commonly used cues
• specific characteristics and responses of individual horses

• racing industry safety requirements for interacting with horses, including:

• safe operating procedures
• hazard identification and risk control associated with catching and leading horses
• remaining attentive and avoiding distractions including mobile phones and other devices while handling horses
• applying knowledge of horse behaviour
• use of personal protective equipment
• applying relevant road safety rules
• complying with rules of racing, and stable and training track policies, protocols and etiquette

• approved working and racing gear for relevant code, and personal protective equipment for handler, including:

• purpose of gear and personal protective equipment
• correct fit for safety and comfort
• indicators of condition – wear or damage
• procedures for repair or replacement

• basic principles of animal welfare and relevant rules of racing related to own work role and responsibilities in the racing industry
• racing industry techniques for:

• approaching and catching horses
• leading horses
• holding and controlling horses
• fitting appropriate gear for racing code and preparing for trackwork

• purpose of different items of catching and leading gear and personal protective equipment
• racing work environments and related risks when handing horses, including in:

• stables – stalls, tie-ups and confined spaces
• track
• public areas
• yards

• communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry, including reporting requirements in relation to handling horses safely.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• safe handling areas, such as racing stables and racetracks

• resources, equipment and materials:

• a variety of standardbred or thoroughbred horses assessed as suitable for the experience and skill of the individual and the activity
• personal protective equipment that is appropriate for activity and correctly fitted for individual
• gear and tack appropriate for racehorse and activity

• specifications:

• work instructions and related documentation

• relationships:

• interactions with supervisor
• other people and racehorses in the vicinity of the assessment activity.

Training and assessment strategies must show evidence 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=5c4b8489-f7e1-463b-81c8-6ecce6c192a0