Unit of competency details
SISOEQU001 - Handle horses (Release 1)
Summary
Usage recommendation:
Current
Releases:
| 1 1 (this release) |
19/Dec/2017 |
Companion volumes:
Unit of competency
Assessment requirements
Training packages that include this unit
Qualifications that include this unit
Skill sets that include this unit
Accredited courses that have this unit in the completion mapping
Classifications
Classification history
| ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier | 050105 | Animal Husbandry | 14/Feb/2018 | |
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Unit of competency
Modification History
Not applicable
Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to safely handle horses, particularly those used in equestrian sport or recreational riding programs but it could have wider application to other equine settings.
Horses are handled in contained areas including stables, fenced arenas, yards, round yards and paddocks.
It requires knowledge of horse temperament, behaviour and body language to safely interact with horses and the ability to catch, lead, tie up and release horses.
This unit applies to a range of organisations including those involved in equestrian sport, instructional and recreational riding programs. It applies to people working at all levels who handle horses as part of their regular work activities.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Pre-requisite Unit
Nil
Competency Field
Equine
Unit Sector
Outdoor Recreation
Elements and Performance Criteria
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ELEMENTS
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PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
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Elements describe the essential outcomes
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Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
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1. Assess risks for horse handling activities.
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1.1. Identify known temperament, behaviour and level of education of horse prior to handling.
1.2. Identify current environmental factors that may affect horse senses and behaviour.
1.3. Observe and interpret horse body language and vocalisations to assess current horse behaviour.
1.4. Identify and assess risks associated with the particular activity, horse enclosure and horse.
1.5. Identify safe handling practices and confirm required organisational safety and emergency response procedures.
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2. Approach and catch horses.
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2.1. Identify horses to be caught by their features.
2.2. Check and confirm horses are aware of presence of handler prior to approach.
2.3. Move safely around any horses lying down without encroaching danger zones.
2.4. Catch an individually housed horse.
2.5. Catch a horse from within a group of horses.
2.6. Approach horses with halter and lead, using body language that minimises adverse horse reactions.
2.7. Fit halter and lead assuming safe body position in relation to horses.
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3. Lead, tie up and untie horses.
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3.1. Assume safe body position in relation to horses and use cues to start, stop and turn horse.
3.2. Lead horse, under control, on its own through doorways and gates.
3.3. Lead and stand horse single file in a group, and control to ensure horse and own safety.
3.4. Lead horse under control past others leading a horse.
3.5. Lead horse under control through, and out of a group of horses.
3.6. Secure horse to tie up point.
3.7. Check and confirm horse is aware of handler, move around avoiding danger zones, untie and lead horse.
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4. Release horses.
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4.1. Remove halter and lead, assuming safe body position in relation to horse.
4.2. Release horse into enclosure for a single horse; confirm security of enclosure before and after release.
4.3. Release horse into enclosure housing groups of horses; confirm security of enclosure before and after release.
4.4. Release horse as part of a group of handlers releasing horses; confirm security of enclosure before and after release.
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5. Respond to immediate safety risks.
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5.1. Monitor horse behaviour during all handling activities and respond to adverse behaviour.
5.2. Complete on-the-spot risk assessment as hazards arise during activities to avoid injury to self, others and horse.
5.3. Use techniques to calm and control horse throughout activities and amend or cease activities as required.
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Foundation Skills
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Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement.
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SKILLS
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DESCRIPTION
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Reading skills to:
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- interpret detailed and familiar organisational safety and emergency response procedures for handling horses.
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Oral communication skills to:
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- ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to clarify and confirm handling conditions, hazards and risk control practices
- interact with other handlers clearly to support a positive and safe handling environment.
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Unit Mapping Information
No equivalent unit.
Links
Companion Volume Implementation Guide - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=1ca50016-24d2-4161-a044-d3faa200268b
Assessment requirements
Modification History
Not applicable.
Performance Evidence
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
- use safe practices and organisational safety procedures to catch, lead, tie up and release horses on four different occasions using a different horse on each occasion
- work within a group of minimum three and maximum six handlers on each occasion
- during all handling activities, consistently respond to horse behaviour and control horses.
Knowledge Evidence
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
- organisational safety and emergency response procedures for handling horses
- identifying features of horses:
- points of the horse
- colour and markings
- brands
- gender
- size
- meaning of horse temperament and various descriptions used
- key features of horse instinct and how this impacts on behaviour in different situations
- various levels of education for horses and indicators of education level
- known temperament, behaviour and level of education of horses to be handled
- environmental conditions that can unsettle horses to include:
- wind and other weather features
- fire and smoke
- noise from people, machinery and vehicles
- presence of other horses and animals
- containment within fenced areas or stalls
- how horse senses can influence their behaviour and reactions with emphasis on:
- smell
- sight - field of vision, perception of depth
- touch sensitivity
- hearing
- horse posture, body and tail movements, facial expressions and vocalisations that indicate a horse is:
- relaxed
- alert
- unsettled or stressed
- agitated or aggressive
- frightened, in a state of flight response
- human body language and behaviour to avoid when around horses
- positive human body language and behaviour that minimises adverse horse reactions
- cues used to start, stop and turn horses
- safe handler body positions used in relation to horse when:
- catching; fitting and removing halters
- leading and releasing horses
- tying up and untying horses
- meaning of danger zones around horses:
- within kicking or striking range of horses’ legs
- within head butting, biting or tail swish range of horses
- within area where horse is risng from lying down
- within confined areas where a horse may crush handler
- purpose, features of and techniques used to fit and adjust equipment to ensure correct fit, comfort for horse and safety of handler to include:
- risks associated with the following horse handling activities and techniques used to control and ensure welfare of horses and safety of handler:
- catching
- leading
- tying up and untying
- releasing.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in contained horse handling environments which must include:
- small fenced enclosures
- large fenced enclosures
- areas containing doorways and gates.
Horse matching prior to all assessments involving horse interaction is essential. Assessors must:
- complete, participate in or validate a risk assessment of both the candidate’s and other participant handlers’ characteristics and level of horse handling skills
- match, or validate the matching of, horses of suitable history, size and temperament to both the candidate and other participants to ensure that handler and horse combination is safe.
Assessment must ensure use of:
- a group of minimum three and maximum six handlers including the candidate
- horses, matched to all handlers as above; these must be:
- calm, consistent and obedient horses for the first, second and third assessment occasion
- compliant and manageable horses for the fourth assessment occasion
- equipment used to catch, lead and tie up horses:
- halters
- leads
- tie up points
- organisational safety and emergency response procedures for handling horses.
Assessment must ensure access to:
- human and equine first aid equipment
- communication equipment for emergency response.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations requirements for assessors, and:
- hold a qualification or Statement of Attainment which includes this unit of competency, SISOEQU001 Handle horses, or a qualification or Statement of Attainment which includes a unit of competency that has been superseded by this unit, and
- have at least three years’ experience in a role involving handling horses where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency, and
- hold accreditation relevant to assessing handling skills covered by this unit; accreditation refers to:
- accreditation offered by equine sporting organisations recognised by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), or
- certification offered by equine organisations which are Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) or whose training is managed by an affiliated RTO.
Links
Companion Volume Implementation Guide - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=1ca50016-24d2-4161-a044-d3faa200268b
