Unit of competency details

Release 

Comments 

1

New unit.

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.

1. Plan horse handling session.

1.1. Establish participant needs and characteristics  and assist with participant disclaimers when required.

1.2. Perform and document appropriate safety checks  for the session according to relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.3. Choose a suitable environment  in which to conduct horse handling activities taking into consideration participant needs and characteristics.

1.4. Identify possible hazards  associated with horse handling activities and minimise risks  according to organisational policies and procedures.

1.5. Assess horses and allocate according to participant needs and characteristics.

2. Brief participants.

2.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information  about the horse handling session in a manner appropriate to participants.

2.2. Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.

2.3. Inform participants of known and anticipated risks, safety requirements , appropriate behaviour and rules and regulations of horse handling.

2.4. Establish a suitable communication system for use while participating in horse handling activities.

3. Conduct horse handling session.

3.1. Provide clear and accurate instructions and demonstrations throughout the session.

3.2. Supervise participants and maintain effective communication throughout horse handling session.

3.3. Monitor participants during horse handling session and provide individual and group correction as required, according to rules, regulations and accepted best practice principles.

3.4. Facilitate group dynamics to maintain participant and horse safety, control and engagement.

3.5. Conclude the session and ensure the safe departure of participants.

4. Complete post-session responsibilities.

4.1. Encourage participants to evaluate the session and provide feedback as required.

4.2. Identify potential areas of improvement for future horse handling sessions.

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• consult with participants to identify their needs
• convey information about the safety aspects of the session
• convey skills to participants
• interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

• problem-solving skills to:

• conduct the session according to participant needs and characteristics
• anticipate and mitigate aggressive, misbehaved and/or frightened horses
• address participant difficulties during the session
• anticipate and respond appropriately to routine situations

• planning and organising skills to:

• source and access appropriate equipment, horses and a suitable area for the session
• monitor participation
• organise participants into manageable groups with suitable horses for the session

• language and literacy skills to:

• complete post-session participant and self evaluations
• conduct and document safety checks

• numeracy skills to conduct activities within session timeframes
• personal safe horse handling and restraint skills to enable the safe and effective conduct of horse handling sessions for participants.

Required knowledge 

• legislation, organisational policies and procedures and rules and regulations of horse handling to ensure safe and non-discriminatory conduct of session features of the environment used for the session to enable identification and management of potential risks and hazards
• selection, use and set up of tack and equipment for a horse handling session
• communication systems used between participants and horses during session
• hazards and risks commonly associated with horse handling sessions and methods of mitigating these risks
• horse handling techniques to facilitate safe participation in the session
• social behaviour, psychology and vices of horses to recognise and treat individual temperaments and behaviours throughout the session
• emergency and safety procedures appropriate for horse handling, to ensure risk minimisation to participants and horses.

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.

Overview of assessment 

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

Evidence of the ability to:

• choose and maintain a safe environment to conduct horse handling activities
• convey information to participants for horse handling sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely, according to participant needs, relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations and best practice codes
• monitor participants and provide constructive feedback, intervention and modification of activities to facilitate their participation in the horse handling session
• apply effective contingency management techniques to make adjustments in response to changing conditions, such as changing behaviours of the horses or inappropriate behaviour of participants
• evaluate and reflect on own performance to identify areas for improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• supervision of at least three sessions that are tailored to the needs and characteristics of a range of participants and conducted in a safe manner.

Assessment must include access to:

• areas which are suitable for horse handling activities
• tractable horses suitable for the sessions
• a group of participants for the sessions
• personal protective equipment for participants
• tack such as halters, ropes, grooming, horse washing and training equipment, saddles and bridles.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations of horse handling and best practice principles to enable safe conduct of all horse handling activities during sessions
• direct observation of safe conduct of the session or sessions, including monitoring and adjusting session or sessions according to participants’ needs, characteristics and responses
• portfolio of self evaluations and safety checks for sessions
• review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Participant needs and characteristics  may include:

• age
• fitness level and physical capabilities
• injuries and illnesses
• previous experience
• reasons for participating.

Safety checks  may include:

• client clothing and sun protection
• client medications and special needs
• condition of equipment
• personal protective equipment
• surfaces and fencing of areas
• temperament of horses
• training of horses
• weather conditions
• horse health and injuries.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• work health and safety/occupational health and safety
• permits and permission for access
• environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• code of ethics
• communication protocols
• conflict resolution
• first aid requirements
• maintenance of records
• work health and safety/occupational health and safety
• standard operating procedures
• use, care and maintenance of horses, tack and personal equipment.

Suitable environment  may include

• horse arena
• horse yard
• round yard
• fenced paddock
• post and rail fences
• hitching rails.

Hazards  may include:

• dogs
• equipment
• fences
• group behaviour
• horses
• insects
• slippery or unstable terrain
• temperature extremes
• unsafe structures.

Risks  may include:

• equipment failure
• heat exhaustion
• hypothermia
• injuries to horses and/or participants.

Relevant Information  may include:

• boundaries for session
• communication systems
• emergency procedures
• equipment, clothing and resource requirements
• horse feed distribution systems
• responsible and safe behaviour
• rules and regulations of horse handling
• safety procedures
• techniques for horse handling, restraint and use of equipment.

Safety requirements  may include:

• catching
• leading
• saddling
• bridling
• tethering
• mounting
• keeping distance from other horses
• dismounting
• unsaddling
• unbridling
• cooling down horse
• rugging
• releasing horse to paddock or stall.