This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required for individuals to undertake 'starting' or 'beginning' education for a horse to develop their initial handling skills. The education program is conducted on the ground prior to developing the horse's skills to be ridden, driven or other intended purpose. The unit is applicable for all classes of horses and can be customised for other domestic equids, including donkeys and mules.

The unit applies to individuals with previous and considerable horse handling experience and sound skills and knowledge of horse behaviour and learning theory. They have responsibility for educating horses for a range of disciplines or purposes. They work independently within organisational guidelines, deal with predictable and unpredictable situations and apply problem-solving skills to achieve outcomes.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.

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

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice	Yes	No	Comments/feedback
Establish client needs and requirements for individual horse
Assess level of education and temperament of the horse to be educated, and potential safety risks
Assess conformation, condition and health of the horse to determine readiness and suitability for education program
Prepare a plan to educate the horse based on its individual needs, application of equine behaviour, current equine learning theory and intended purpose
Prepare safe, secure and controlled facilities to commence horse groundwork education
Identify hazards and assess and control potential risks to safety of handler/s and horse/s
Select and correctly fit own personal protective equipment (PPE)
Determine if the assistance of another handler is required based on risk assessment
Develop calm and obedient behaviour by gaining trust and confidence of horse through appropriate handling and feeding
Introduce a halter and lead rope, and educate the horse to be caught, led and tied up safely
Accustom the horse to being groomed and hosed
Accustom the horse to have its legs handled and all feet picked up
Familiarise the horse with tack, equipment and aids used in education exercises
Teach the horse to focus attention on handler and respond consistently in different contexts to aids, cues and communication relating to forward and backward movement, changing direction, halting and stopping
Build horse confidence within a controlled environment, progressing to unfamiliar and/or open environments when ready
Assess risks associated with transport vehicle and location for loading and unloading horse
Familiarise horse with transport vehicle and prepare for transport
Select suitable horses to assist with habituating the horse to be in close proximity to other horses
Teach horse to enter and exit a transport vehicle using positive reinforcement methodologies
Build horse confidence in loading and unloading and to be transported safely in a secured vehicle
Apply education techniques consistently to reinforce horse learning
Recognise and apply positive reinforcement to the horse for progress towards desired behaviours
Comply with animal welfare and safety requirements at all times
Confirm horse has been educated to meet client needs and requirements

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMEQU407 - Educate horses in initial handling

Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

ACMEQU407 - Educate horses in initial handling

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: