Assessment Requirements for SISOEQU004 Ride horses on untracked trail rides

Release: 2

Assessment Requirements for SISOEQU004 Ride horses on untracked trail rides

Modification History

Unit Release 2. No change to unit content from Release 1; mapping updated for accuracy.

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:

complete two different trail rides, each lasting for a minimum of four hours, on two different compliant and manageable horses

ride within a group of minimum five and maximum ten participants during each trail ride

during each ride:

walk, trot and canter the horse under control within the terrain covered

provide direction to the horse using the following aids:

legs

reins

seat

voice

ride the horse through this range of movements:

turns

halts

laterals

backing up the horse

ride towards and away from the group

consistently use safe horse handling and riding practices and techniques to effectively control the horse.

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 riding horses in untracked areas

organisational policies, procedures and codes for minimal impact of horse riding activities to the environment

factors that affect the selection of horses, tack, especially saddles, and personal protective equipment to suit trail guides leading groups in untracked areas with difficult terrain

communication protocols for group trail rides in untracked environments

the meaning of safe zone for group trail rides in untracked areas and how these can vary according to the terrain and environmental hazards

common behaviour patterns of horses during group trail rides in untracked areas with difficult terrain

horse riding techniques used to control horses safely and effectively in untracked environments with difficult terrain to include those for:

mounting and dismounting without assistance in the open

different seat positions and when these are required by the terrain

starting and stopping

walking, trotting and cantering horses and which gait is suitable for particular environmental features and obstacles

aids to direct the horse:

legs

reins

seat

voice

riding movements:

turns

halts

laterals

backing up the horse

riding towards and away from the group

hydrological features of rivers, creeks and oceans including direction and speed of flow, currents and eddies, hazards they present and impacts on where horses can safely cross

typical hazards, obstacles and environmental features found in untracked areas with difficult terrain and techniques used to safely negotiate these:

dense vegetation

unstable ground

rivers and creeks

beach sand and water

steep inclines

procedures for safely crossing public roads and travelling along them

purpose, features and secure set up of:

temporary yards

high lines

picket lines

hobbles

ground tethers

daily fluid and nutritional requirements for horses operating in difficult terrain for long distances.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must be demonstrated in a horse trail riding environment meeting the following conditions:

untracked areas with difficult terrain

steep ascents and descents

numerous environmental obstacles.

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 riders’ characteristics and level of horse handling and riding skills

match, or validate the matching of, horses of suitable history, size and temperament to both the candidate and other participants to ensure that rider and horse combination is safe.

Assessment must ensure use of:

a group of minimum five and maximum ten riders, including the candidate

compliant and manageable horses, matched to all riders as above, and educated for untracked trail ride conditions

grooming equipment to include:

dandy and body brushes

plastic or rubber curry combs

mane or tail brush

hoof picks

tack to include:

saddles which can be stock, hybrid or western saddles

saddle cloths

bridles

reins

bits

stirrups with safety features

saddle bags

personal protective equipment to include:

sun protection and wet weather clothing

riding boots

Australian Standard, or equivalent, compliant helmets

horse equipment for overnight stays which can include:

halters

leads

bags, nets or bins used to feed horses

temporary yards

high lines

picket lines

hobbles

ground tethers

food and water resources for horses

organisational safety and emergency response procedures for riding horses in untracked areas

organisational policies, procedures and codes for minimal impact of horse riding activities to the environment.

Assessment must ensure access to:

breastplates and cruppers

human and equine first aid equipment

navigation 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, SISOEQU004 Ride horses on untracked trail rides, or a qualification or Statement of Attainment which includes a unit of competency that has been superseded by this unit, and

hold a qualification or Statement of Attainment which includes the unit SISOEQU009 Instruct the advancement of recreational horse riding skills, or a qualification or Statement of Attainment which includes a unit of competency that has been superseded by that unit, and

have at least three years’ experience as a trail guide or trail boss where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency, and

hold accreditation relevant to assessing riding 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 Guides - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=1ca50016-24d2-4161-a044-d3faa200268b