Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely load and unload horses onto and from horse transport vehicles.

The unit applies to workers who undertake routine work under supervision and apply knowledge and judgement to solve predictable issues when loading and unloading horses. Work environments may include stables, paddocks, yards, tracks, event venues and public areas.

Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to interacting with horses apply to workers in this industry. Requirements vary between industry sectors and jurisdictions.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, except for the racing industry, where requirements vary between states and territories. Users working in the racing industry are advised to contact the relevant Principal Racing Authority for advice on current requirements.

Pre-requisite Unit

ACMEQU212 Handle horses safely

Unit Sector

Equine (EQU)

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.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

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

There must be evidence that the individual has safely loaded and unloaded at least three different calm, consistent and obedient horses onto and from a horse transport vehicle. Each horse must be loaded and unloaded separately on a vehicle or trailer specifically designed for horse transport.

For each horse loading and unloading process, the individual must have:

• confirmed the loading and unloading requirements with a supervisor
• identified at least two hazards, and assessed and controlled and/or reported the risks
• applied safe and low stress horse handling techniques and practices
• selected and correctly fitted personal protective equipment (PPE)
• checked, prepared and fitted horse gear and equipment, including halter and lead
• checked the horse transport vehicle, including horse restraints and ventilation
• positioned and secured horse in vehicle according to transport configuration
• unloaded, led and restrained horse in a secure location
• inspected the horse after unloading, and provided a report to a supervisor on horse condition
• cleaned and tidied horse section of transport vehicle.

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:

• common hazards, risk assessment and risk controls related to loading and unloading horses
• purpose, use, maintenance and storage of PPE for handling, loading and unloading horses
• safe and low stress horse loading and unloading techniques
• key animal welfare requirements when transporting horses
• different types of horse transport vehicles, including:

• basic safety checks, including flooring and air vents
• safe operation of doors, gates and other restraints
• use of ramps and/or mechanical lifts
• transport configuration
• horse position and securing

• purpose, benefits and risks of common horse gear and equipment used to load and unload horses, including:

• tail ropes
• bits or bridles
• ramp panels
• appropriate use of whips

• protective horse gear and equipment that may be required during transport, including rugs, poll guards, leg and tail protection
• workplace procedures for loading and unloading horses, including:

• checking horse condition and preparing horses
• checking, fitting and maintaining horse gear and equipment
• vehicle cleaning and sanitisation before and after loading
• seeking assistance with difficult or unexpected situations

• key considerations when loading and/or unloading horses onto transport vehicles, including:

• phenomena that can spook a horse
• safe positioning and handling practices
• common injuries to horses and handlers, and their causes
• common adverse reactions by horse to loading, unloading and travelling.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• an equine workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

• resources, equipment and materials:

• live horses specified in the performance evidence, assessed as suitable for the assessment of this unit and the individual being assessed
• gear and equipment required for the tasks specified in the performance evidence, including correctly fitted gear for the horses and correctly fitted PPE for the handler
• horse transport vehicle specified in the performance evidence

• specifications:

• workplace procedures for loading and unloading horses

• relationship:

• supervisor.

The Companion Volume:User Guide: Safety in Equine Training provides advice and sample templates to assist assessors with the risk assessments that should be undertaken to help ensure the safety of all involved in the assessment.

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=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103