Assessor Resource

SISOEQO303A
Conduct horse riding sessions in an arena

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit applies to those working as horse riding leaders in a controlled environment, such as a riding arena. This unit may also apply to those working for organisations who offer riding activities or recreational horse riding programs.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to conduct a horse riding session on the flat in an arena. This unit focuses on safely conducting and monitoring horse riding sessions for participants with little or no experience in horse riding.

No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

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

Prerequisites

Nil

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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.

Overview of assessment

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

conveys information to participants for riding session or sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely, according to participant's needs, relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations and best practice codes

assesses participant's needs and applies relevant processes to safely prepare suitable horses for the session or sessions compatible with individual needs

monitors participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention and modifies riding activities to facilitate participation in the riding session

evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure conduct of safe sessions that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also include access to:

suitable arenas with controlled conditions

suitable horses for the riding session or sessions

access to a group of participants for the riding session or sessions

access to tack and personal equipment such as halters, ropes, saddles, bridles, helmets, suitable attire.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations of riding and best practice principles to enable safe conduct of all riding activities during sessions

observation of safe conduct of the session or sessions, and monitoring and adjusting of session or sessions according to participant's needs, characteristics and responses

portfolio of self evaluations and safety checks for sessions

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

Guidance information for assessment

Submission Requirements

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)

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.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to identify their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the session

convey skills to participants

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problem-solving skills to:

conduct the session according to participant's needs and characteristics

anticipate and mitigate aggressive, misbehaved and or frightened horses

address participant difficulties during the session

anticipate and respond appropriately to routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source and access appropriate equipment, horses and a suitable arena

monitor participation

organise participants into manageable groups with suitable horses for activities

language and literacy skills to:

complete post session participant and self evaluations

conduct and document safety checks

numeracy skills to conduct activities within session timeframes

personal horse riding and handling skills to a high level of technical correctness to enable the safe and effective conduct of horse riding sessions for participants.

Required knowledge

legislation, organisational policies and procedures and rules and regulations of riding to ensure safe and non-discriminatory conduct of session or sessions

features of the arena to enable identification and management of potential risks and hazards

selection, use and set up of tack and equipment for a horse riding session

communication systems used between participants and horses during riding

hazards and risks commonly associated with horse riding sessions and methods of mitigating these risks

horse handling and riding techniques to facilitate safe participation in the session

social behaviour, psychology and vices of horses to recognise and treat individual temperaments and behaviours throughout session

emergency and safety procedures appropriate for horse riding, to ensure risk minimisation to participants and horses.

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Participant's needs and characteristics may include:

age

previous experience

fitness level and physical capabilities

injuries and illnesses

reasons for participating.

Safety checks may include:

arena surface and fencing

temperament of horses

condition of tack

personal equipment.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permissions for access

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

conflict resolution

communication protocols

use, care and maintenance of horse, tack and personal equipment

maintenance of records

code of ethics.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries to horse and or participant

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

Safety procedures may include:

horse management in hazardous situations

equipment checking and usage

appropriate dress

adequate warm up and cool down

saddling, bridling and tethering

mounting and dismounting

keeping distance from other horses

unsaddling and unbridling

riding at appropriate speed

the 'emergency stop'.

Relevant information may include:

equipment, clothing and resource requirements

arena boundaries

safety procedures

emergency procedures

communication systems

rules and regulations of riding

responsible and safe behaviour.

Rules and regulations of riding may include:

Equestrian Australia regulations and guidelines

State Equestrian Association and Local Equestrian Association Codes of Conduct

Australian Sports Commission's Harassment free Sport policy

Australian Horse Industry Council code of practice.

Horse riding activities may include:

mounting

start

stop

turning

riding different paces, patterns and movements

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 participant's needs and characteristics and assist with participant's disclaimer where required. 
Perform and document appropriate safety checks suitable for the session, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify possible hazards and risks associated with riding activities and determine safety procedures and contingency plans according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Assess horses and match to participant characteristics. 
Prepare horses safely and appropriately for the activities being performed. 
Communicate instructions and relevant information about the riding session in a manner appropriate to the participants. 
Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session. 
Inform participants of known and anticipated risks, safety procedures, appropriate behaviour and rules and regulations of riding. 
Establish a suitable communication system to use while participating in activities. 
Provide clear and accurate instructions and demonstrations during the session. 
Supervise participants and maintain effective communication during horse riding activities. 
Observe participants during riding activities and provide individual and or group correction as required according to rules and regulations and accepted best practice principles of horse riding activities. 
Facilitate group dynamics to maintain group and horse safety, control and engagement. 
Bring participants to a halt safely, supervise dismount and client safe departure at the end of the session. 
Encourage participants to identify their satisfaction with the session, and give feedback as required. 
Check and release horses and store tack and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and rules and regulations of riding. 
Identify potential areas of improvement for future riding sessions. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOEQO303A - Conduct horse riding sessions in an arena
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

SISOEQO303A - Conduct horse riding sessions in an arena

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: