Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to achieve basic riding skills on a well-educated, compliant and manageable horse. It includes protecting the welfare of people and horses and providing pre-exercise and post-exercise care of horses.

The unit applies to individuals who are new or inexperienced in riding horses and who need to attain basic riding skills while working in workplace environments of racing stables, paddocks, yards, racecourses and public areas.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, in accordance with applicable state/territory animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislative requirements.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

The prerequisite unit of competency for this unit is:

• RGRPSH201 Handle racehorses in stables and at trackwork.

Unit Sector

Performance services horse (PSH)

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=5c4b8489-f7e1-463b-81c8-6ecce6c192a0

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

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

There must be evidence that, on at least three occasions, and with a minimum of two different well-educated, compliant and manageable horses of different ages and temperaments, the individual has:

• carried out pre-ride requirements, including:

• clarified instructions
• carried out a basic safety check
• organised, checked and fitted racing-approved personal protective equipment and horse gear according to instructions

• caught and prepared the horse for riding
• performed riding skills safely and effectively according to supervisor instructions and safe riding practices, including:

• safely mounted and dismounted the horse
• correctly held and adjusted reins
• adjusted girth and stirrup length while mounted
• used aids to control movement, speed and direction of horse
• maintained balance while performing rising trot on the correct diagonal
• maintained a balanced forward seat in two-point and three-point riding position at canter, identifying correct lead on both reins
• took up a bridge rein, demonstrating shortening and lengthening of the rein while trotting
• rode alone and in company of others

• rode and controlled the horse safely in the following gaits:

• trotted the horse for a minimum of 800 metres or two minutes
• cantered the horse in a two-point position bridging the reins for a minimum of 800 metres or for two minutes, carrying a whip

• performed post-riding procedures on horse and equipment and released the horse safely.

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:

• communication procedures within supervisor and stable
• characteristics of horses:

• basic industry terminology
• common behaviour, social traits and vices of horses
• types of responses to cues
• specific, known characteristics of individual horses to be ridden

• types of approved horse gear, including:

• bridles and relevant components of bridles
• common bits used for racing
• rings and running martingales
• breastplates
• double clip leads
• saddles, stirrup leathers, stirrup irons, girths and surcingles
• saddlecloths and packing
• corrective gear
• signs of gear wear and breakage and reporting

• riding techniques relevant to racing industry, including:

• two-point and three-point, forward seat position
• bridging the reins

• racing industry safety and animal welfare requirements, including:

• safe workplace procedures
• identifying hazards and risks
• types and purpose of personal protective equipment
• relevant road and track safety rules

• pre-exercise and post-exercise care and grooming
• basic riding skills, including:

• riding horses singly or in company
• retrieving and bridging reins
• saddling horses
• stopping and changing direction
• understanding and correctly using aids
• warm-up and warm-down procedures for horse
• controlling horse movement, speed and direction

• avoiding 'getting on heels' and estimating safe riding distance from other horses at different paces:

• when walking, maintaining approximately two horse lengths
• when trotting, maintaining approximately four to six lengths
• when cantering, maintaining approximately more than six lengths

• safe zones, including:

• identifying and keeping clear of young or intractable horses
• techniques for slowing or manoeuvring horses seeking to encroach on space of others
• width between riders.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• safe handling and controlled riding areas, such as racing stables, and enclosed arena or fenced slow work track

• resources, equipment and materials:

• a variety of well-educated, compliant and manageable horses of different ages and temperaments, assessed as suitable for the experience and skill of the individual and the activity
• personal protective equipment (PPE) that is appropriate for activity and correctly fitted for individual
• gear and tack appropriate for horse and activity

• specifications:

• work instructions and related documentation

• relationships:

• interactions with supervisor and other relevant people.

Training and assessment strategies must show evidence of guidance provided in the Companion Volume: User Guide: Safety in Equine Training.

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=5c4b8489-f7e1-463b-81c8-6ecce6c192a0