Unit of competency details

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

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. Prepare individual conditioning and training programs.

1.1. Identify and assess the needs and requirements  of the horse according to the role  the horse will perform

1.2. Identify and assess level of fitness  of the horse according to organisational policies and procedures .

1.3. Identify conformation faults  and injuries  of individual horses in consultation with veterinarians as appropriate.

1.4. Consult with stakeholders  to identify and confirm goals of the program according to organisational policies and procedures.

1.5. Design and document conditioning and training programs  to optimise the performance of individual horses in consultation with veterinarians.

1.6. Identify and confirm availability of equipment and resources for the program according to organisational policies and procedures.

2. Implement conditioning and training programs.

2.1. Implement training and conditioning methods  appropriate to individual horse health and fitness levels.

2.2. Monitor health and welfare  of horse according to relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures.

2.3. Provide ongoing feedback on progress of horse to stakeholders according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.4. Recognise signs and symptoms of injury and implement appropriate intervention strategies  according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.5. Monitor feeding and training regimes to confirm they are appropriate to the individual needs and expected performance requirements of the horse.

2.6. Implement appropriate modifications  to the program in response to all variable factors  that are monitored.

2.7. Supervise transportation practices to ensure that horses are transported safely where required according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2.8. Present horses in an industry accepted condition according to industry regulations.

3. Assess training and conditioning program.

3.1. Seek and acknowledge feedback from relevant stakeholders involved in the program.

3.2. Evaluate all relevant components  of the program according to identified goals and record outcomes.

3.3. Identify potential areas of improvement of future training and conditioning programs.

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• consult with stakeholders and veterinarians to plan a training and conditioning program that meets the needs and performance requirements of horses
• convey information about the progress of the horse to stakeholders

• problem-solving skills to:

• assess needs and potential of a range of horses
• design a suitable training and conditioning program to match the horse's performance requirements and stakeholder expectations
• monitor and assess different variables which impact upon the performance of horses
• modify these in response to monitoring outcomes

• planning and organising skills to:

• implement and monitor the training and conditioning program
• source resources and equipment to support implementation of the program

• language and literacy skills to produce and document a plan for the implementation of a training and conditioning program
• first aid skills to enable initial response to injury or illness of the horse.

Required knowledge 

• relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to ensure health and welfare of horses
• principles of conditioning horses for different performance requirements to enable the development of appropriate programs
• techniques for training and conditioning courses to enable effective design of programs
• principles of nutrition of horses during conditioning and training to enhance program outcomes
• fitness indicators of individual horses at various stages of a work, training or competition program to enable the design and implementation of appropriate training and conditioning methods
• behaviour patterns and characteristics of horses including individual differences in temperament and behaviour
• anatomy and physiology of horses to enable understanding of the impact of training and conditioning on various body systems
• spelling requirements for horses to promote health and welfare of horse
• conformation faults and their implications for recreation and performance horses to enable identification of training and conditioning methods appropriate to those faults
• recording requirements for the training, feeding and veterinary care of individual horses
• routine and first aid treatments for care of horses, including treatment of common injuries such as muscle and limb soreness.

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 following is essential:

• utilises knowledge of anatomy and physiology and behaviour of horses to assess individual horses capabilities and needs
• plans and implements conditioning and training programs to optimise the performance requirements of horses according to their role and environment and relevant regulations
• monitors progress of conditioning and training programs and applies effective contingency management techniques to ensure horse's health and welfare and adjusts for individual horses according to differing capabilities and or performance expectations or requirements
• encourages and responds to stakeholder feedback and evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure planning, implementation and evaluation of training and conditioning programs of sufficient duration and breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• a horse riding establishment
• horses of varying physical conditions operating in a variety of roles and at various stages of training
• appropriate equipment and resources to implement the training and conditioning program
• safety equipment and first aid kit
• veterinarians
• organisational policies and procedures.

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:

• observation of assessment of horse's needs and application of planning processes to develop an appropriate training and conditioning plan
• oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of anatomy and physiology of horses and the effects of training and conditioning
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

• SISOEQO408A Determine nutritional requirements for horses.

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.

Needs and requirements  may include:

• stages of work or training
• performance and performance potential
• nutrition
• housing
• care requirements.

Roles  may include:

• performance sports
• recreational
• trail riding.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• risk management procedures
• assessment procedures
• referral procedures
• time and budget constraints
• use and maintenance of equipment
• communication protocols
• first aid procedures
• industry rules and regulations
• code of ethics.

Level of fitness  may include:

• capability of horse
• condition of horse
• current nutritional regime

Conformation faults  may include:

• head and neck set
• chest
• shoulder
• forearm
• withers
• back
• tail
• hindquarters or hips
• front and hind legs.

Injuries  may include:

• soreness
• lameness
• lacerations
• abrasions.

Stakeholders  may include:

• owners
• employers
• managers.

Conditioning and training programs  may include:

• goals
• musculoskeletal conditioning
• muscular balancing
• feeding and watering regimes
• transportation.

Training and conditioning methods  may include:

• stimulus response reinforcement.
• extended sessions to build fitness
• work over challenging country to increase surefootedness

Health and welfare  may include:

• nutritional and water regimes
• restraint
• transportation
• monitoring of hoof wear or shoeing maintenance.

Relevant legislation  may include:

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

Intervention strategies  may include:

• euthanasia
• referral to veterinarian.

Modifications  may include:

• adjustment to feeding regime
• adjustment to training program.

Variable factors  may include:

• level of fitness and well being of horse
• work load
• nutrition
• recurring injury
• horse's needs.

Components  may include:

• appropriateness of training and conditioning program
• availability of resources
• enhanced performance.