Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to evaluate a horse's level of education, implement a training program and introduce a horse to the barriers following instructions provided by the horse's licensed trainer.

Developing competence in this unit will require a strong emphasis on animal welfare and humane treatment of horses, particularly when re-educating horses with identified problems. Care must be taken to apply the principles of horse learning theory to all aspects of introducing inexperienced horses and horses with schooling problems to education programs for racing.

To undertake this unit the candidate will be able to apply safe horse handling skills and workplace OHS standards.

The candidate must also have a high standard of competence in riding trackwork.

This unit of competency operates in workplace environments of racing stables, paddocks, yards, racecourses and public areas.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit, check with your State Principal Racing Authority for current license or registration requirements.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports experienced, licensed trackwork riders authorised to educate thoroughbred horses for racing.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

Prerequisite units 

RGRPSH404A

Ride horses at trackwork

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Evaluate horses' education and implement training plan.

1. Education program  is planned and discussed with trainer.

2. Principles of horse learning  are applied.

3. Balance and tractability  of horses are developed.

4. Trackwork is introduced and horses are worked individually and with other horses at controlled paces  .

5. Remedial training techniques  and gear  are employed when required.

Introduce horses to practice barriers.

6. Arrangements  to use practice barriers are confirmed.

7. Horses are entered into and ridden from practice barriers in a safe manner  .

8. Common barrier problems  are identified, rectified and reported to trainer.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses
• communicating with trainer, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to educating horses for racing
• developing balance and tractability of horses
• employing strategies to control horses
• evaluating horse education
• evaluating horse performance
• evaluating risks associated with working with horses
• judging pace and identifying pace at which horse is working
• following instructions of trainer and working autonomously when necessary with regard to riding horses at trackwork
• identifying and rectifying barrier problems
• identifying and using remedial training gear
• identifying, and incorporating into training the principles of horse learning
• identifying behaviour of individual horses
• planning a horse education program
• reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing
• relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• reporting horse performance and wellbeing to trainer
• riding horses into and from barriers
• riding trackwork
• written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge 

• approved gear
• barrier operation
• communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry
• common racehorse behaviour traits
• common barrier problems
• effective working relationships, including teamwork
• horse education programs
• industry terminology
• personal protective equipment
• racing industry animal welfare requirements
• racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures
• relevant rules of racing
• remedial gear
• training plans.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

• identification of horse behaviour and movement that could potentially affect horse performance in training and racing
• evaluation of potential for further improvement or progression in training when deciding if there is a benefit in continuing, particularly with re-education
• knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when educating thoroughbred horses for racing
• demonstration of effective horse handling skills (including corrective techniques) that comply with animal welfare directives
• implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient provision of horse education
• selection and application of appropriate, effective and humane techniques to correct or modify behaviour and performance of horses being prepared for thoroughbred racing
• working with others to undertake and complete horse education procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of racehorses of different ages and sexes, and at different stages of preparation in racing stable and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

• a variety of thoroughbred horses
• materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to educate horses for racing
• safe handling and work areas, such as racing stables, and training and racetracks

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

• written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
• observed and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
• simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

RANGE STATEMENT 

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to assess a candidate's ability to educate thoroughbred horses for racing. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Planning an education program  will include:

• discussions with trainer
• duration of training program
• degree of training covering pre-training at long, slow distance work and faster work
• fast or slow morning's work
• reporting horse performance to trainer.

Principles of horse learning  include:

• bonding
• conditioned response
• dominance
• habituation
• sensitisation
• stimulus and response
• submissive behaviour.

Development of balance and tractability  will include:

• older horses requiring re-education
• young horses that have been broken in and are preparing for training.

Factors to consider when horses are worked with other horses at controlled paces  will include:

• coping with change of pace from trot, canter and half pace during workouts
• maintaining safe width space and length between horses
• moving outside or inside other horses without altering action or baulking
• moving smoothly from slow canter to faster striding work
• remaining balanced and travelling on the bit
• rules and regulations of the track
• working past gaps without deviating
• working quietly with other horses or on its own
• working with confidence with other horses.

Factors to consider when remedial training techniques  are employed may include:

• condition of teeth
• individual horse behaviour, including:

• bolting
• climbing
• head throwing
• inattention to use of aids
• opening mouth
• shying
• whipping around

• possible soreness, for example:

• back
• feet
• hindquarters
• limbs.

Gear  required for remedial training may include:

• barrier blankets
• bits
• blindfolds
• blinkers
• ear muffs
• nosebands
• pacifiers
• rings
• shadow rolls.

Arrangements  to use practice barriers will include:

• confirming availability of practice barriers with gap attendant or other authorised track personnel
• confirming trainer requirements for barrier practice
• following local track rules and regulations regarding barrier use
• requesting barrier assistant to check smooth operation of front and rear gates before introducing horse to barriers.

Safe manner  will include:

• ensuring barrier training is conducted when ground is suitable and not slippery
• identifying hazards associated with barrier training and applying risk control measures, including adhering to safe operating procedures
• considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

• fences and equipment
• other persons or animals
• vehicles
• wind and noise

• identifying emergency situations, for example:

• horse injury
• loose horse
• rider injury

• identifying and reporting unsafe work practices
• wearing personal protective equipment
• understanding individual horse's behaviour
• using approved gear in good repair
• using barriers when there is minimal horse traffic in the immediate area
• using graduated procedures to accustom horse to barriers, including:

• walking horse through gates on first occasion before re-entering and closing front and rear gates
• accustoming horse to barrier and gate noises while standing calmly in barriers
• trotting horses from barriers before attempting faster exits
• jumping from barriers and riding at controlled canter

• jumping smartly from barriers and working strongly as permitted in available space.

Common barrier problems  may include:

• horse laying back on gate
• horse laying on sides of stall
• horse burrowing
• horse sitting down
• horse refusing
• horse pulling back
• horse straddling front of stalls.

Unit Sector 

Thoroughbred racing code

Co-requisite units 

Functional Area 

Racing performance services