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:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when performing basic riding tasks

demonstration of control of a quiet thoroughbred horse in basic riding manoeuvres in a controlled area

implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete basic riding tasks safely, effectively and efficiently

working with others to undertake and complete basic riding tasks that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of well-educated thoroughbred horses of different ages and sexes in racing stable and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace or simulated environment that provides access to the required resources. 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 well-educated thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform basic riding skills

safe handling and controlled riding 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.

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.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices

RGRPSH201A Handle horses.

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).

Required skills

applying aids to control speed and direction of a horse at walk, trot and canter

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

applying safe basic riding skills

communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and public venue employees using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to performing basic riding tasks

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

fitting gear

following instructions

grooming horses pre and post-exercise

identifying and correctly using different items of riding apparel

identifying and correctly using different items of gear and assessing their condition in terms of safe use and need for repair

identifying gait at which a horse is working

identifying and following venue rules

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

retrieving reins

riding horses singly or in company in a controlled and supervised environment

saddling horses

stopping and changing direction of horse.

Required knowledge

aids to control speed and direction of a horse

basic industry terminology related to riding horses

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common horse behaviour, social traits and vices

purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

relevant road safety rules.

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 perform basic riding tasks. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Safety and welfare may include:

adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices

adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare

adhering to rules of training arena and public venues

being aware of relevant road safety rules as they apply to horses being led or ridden singly and in company

considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

contributing to development of risk control measures

following safe operating procedures

identifying and reporting hazards or unsafe work practices

identifying emergency situations, for example:

gear breakage

horse bolting

horse fall

horse getting loose

lack of control of horse

understanding horse behaviour traits as they relate to practising riding tasks, for example:

senses

social behaviour

fight or flight response

understanding risks associated with handling horses, including:

bites

horse injury

personal injury

trampling

using approved gear for horses

using approved riding aids

wearing personal protective equipment, including approved Australian Standard helmet, clothing and footwear.

Venue-specific requirements may include:

rules of training arena

rules and regulations of training tracks

relevant rules of racing.

Potential hazards may include:

distracting events or behaviours caused by people with no horse sense

distracting events or situations due to natural causes, such as wind

rider or horse falls

rider illness due to weather conditions or other reasons

gear failure

hazards of:

riding alone

riding horses with bad habits

riding inexperienced horses

riding too close to other horses

horse's behaviour and possible reactions, such as:

horse's ability to learn and remember routines and locations, such as:

areas where previous incidents have occurred

home stables

track entry or exit points

horse's natural instinct to:

rear, bite or kick if it feels threatened, excited or in pain

run if frightened

want to stay with other horses

horse's lack of reasoning ability to rely on rider signals alone to discriminate between safe and unsafe stimuli

horse's response to loud or unusual noise or other stimuli, including machinery and other animals

horse injury.

Pre-exercise care may include:

checking disposition of horse

grooming to instructions, including:

brushing mane and tidying tail

checking legs for injury or swelling and removing mud or dirt

ensuring head, girth and saddle regions are free from mud and sweat

picking out hooves and checking shoes

moving safely and calmly around the horse

positioning horses in tie-up or in stable or yard for saddling

removing bandages or poultices

selecting gear, checking for wear or damage and fitting as directed.

Basic riding skills will include:

fitting gear for comfort and safety

riding horses singly or in company

retrieving reins

saddling horses

stopping and changing direction

understanding and correctly using aids

warming up horses as instructed.

Horses are warmed up and warmed down by:

riding horse at a walk or trot

walking in hand

walking on treadmill or horse walker.

Designated gear may include:

bridles, including leather or plastic with snaffle bits or ring bits

breastplates

protective boots

rings or running martingales

saddles, including general purpose, stock saddle or similar with appropriate irons

saddlecloths and necessary packing.

Aids may include:

natural aids, including:

hands

legs

seat or weight

voice

artificial aids that require experience and moderation when used, including:

whips

crops

spurs

martingales

bits and auxiliary reins.

Controlling movement, speed and direction of horse may include:

at walk, trot and canter

backing

collecting

correctly using aids

halting

in an enclosed arena and safe riding areas

singly and in company.

Basic riding instructions may include:

changing diagonals

circles

figure eights

leg changes

serpentines

straight tracks.

Post-exercise care may include:

ensuring animal welfare principles are followed

checking horses for injury and soreness

grooming horses

inspecting gear and equipment for wear and breakage

warming down horses following stable procedures.

Post-exercise grooming may include:

brushing

cleaning hooves

hosing

rolling

scraping

sheath cleaning

towelling.

Signs of gear wear and breakage may include:

cracked leather or PVC

frayed reins, girth or surcingles

gear slippage

perished rubber or plastic

rubbed hair or skin

rusted buckles and bits

split or cracked points

worn bit joints, padding or stitching.