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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 supervise the transportation of horses. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas. |
Types of transport may include: | air transportfloats:angle loadersback loadersdouble:extended frontextended heightgoose neckside loaderssinglestraight endsea transporttrucks:cattle trucks with dividers. |
Load capacity checks may include: | additional gear carried, such as bags of feedbrakes:breakawayhydraulicparkingfederal and state or territory road rulesgross and tared weightload balancingnumber of horses to be carriedposition of single horse in double floattyre suitability and pressureweighbridge usageweight of individual horses. |
Driving techniques may include: | accelerating smoothlyadjusting to road camberadjusting float brakes for simultaneous slowing with tow vehicle brakesbraking gradually and using gears to slow downdriving defensivelykeeping vehicle centrally positioned and away from road shouldersmaintaining moderate speedplanning travelling times to minimise stress to horses on extremely hot daysproviding rest stops for horses on long tripsreversing and turning vehicle and float combinationtaking regular breaks to avoid driver fatigue. |
Road conditions may include: | drainsgravelice and snowplastic paint, for example white lines and zebra crossingsrainsharp cornerssteep hillsurban drivewaysworn, shiny patches on roads. |
Electrical equipment will include: | electrical socketshead and tail lightsindicatorsinterior lightswiring. |
Exterior vehicle safety inspection will include: | brakescouplingelectrical socketselectrical system of tow vehiclehitching heightjack and wheel bracejockey wheellatches and lockslights and light globesloading rampoilrear opening coverrear view mirrorssafety chainsside doorstabiliser barstow bar and balltyreswaterwheels. |
Interior vehicle safety inspection will include: | chest bardividers and head partitionfloor boardsfloor matsinterior lightinglatchespaddingprovision of absorbent floor coveringprovision of fully maintained first aid kitscrambler barsventilationwindows. |
Loading problems may include: | horse barging on or off floathorse backing off float when loadinghorse jumping off side of ramphorse rearinghorse refusing to lead forward to load. |
Controlling risks may include: | adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practicesadhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare and transport of horsesbeing aware of Australian road rules and any relevant local rulesconsidering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:fences and equipmentother persons or animalsvehicleswind and noisecontributing to development of risk control measuresfollowing safe operating proceduresidentifying and reporting unsafe work practicesidentifying emergency situations, for example:gear breakagehorse getting looseunderstanding individual horse behaviourwearing personal protective equipment. |
Application of alternative loading techniques may include: | loading from shedlowering rampplacing older, more experienced horse on float firstusing bits for greater controlusing britching ropes. |
Evaluation of health status may include: | prior to travelling:assessing vital signsassessing horse for illness or injurychecking feed and water intakeensuring horse is hydratedobserving manure and urinepicking out feet and checking status of shoesafter travelling:checking brightness of eye and horse's head for injurychecking hooves for signs of heatchecking mucosal membranes inside mouthchecking for rubbing or abrasions on bodychecking hydration levels by skin pinchconducting capillary refill testlifting hooves and checking shoes are not sprung or shiftedremoving tail bandage and checking for evidence of diarrhoearemoving leg bandages or boots and checking for heat and swellingtaking horse's temperaturewalking horse, observing action and listening to footfallobserving horse for 24 to 36 hours. |
Poor travellers may include: | nervous sweatersscramblers. |
Signs of stress may include: | colicdehydrationdiarrhoeaelevated temperatureincreased respiration rateincreased pulse ratelamenesslistlessnesspale mucosal membranesslow capillary refillsweating at neck and girth, for example high temperaturesweating at flanksuncommon individual horse behaviour. |
Horses may be stressed due to: | excessive dustexcessive noise inside float from passing truckshigh temperatures and humidity changeshorse placed next to another horse with existing respiratory infectionhorse subject to bullying from other horsespoor float hygienepoor driving techniques, for example speed and excessive brakingpoor ventilationslippery flooringtying horse's head too high and too shorttravelling horses before they cool down after strenuous exercisetravelling horses for longer than 12 hourstravelling without rest stops every four to six hours. |
Signs of stress may be managed by: | dealing with potential illness promptlyreporting potential illness or adverse impacts on performance to relevant personnel, for example:trainer or ownerrace meeting stewards as required by rules of racingseeking veterinary assistance as required. |
Other illness indicators may include: | travel sickness, including:pleuropneumoniachest paindepressionlack of interest in feedpainful stance, for example forelegs wide apartreluctance to moverapid but shallow respiration ratesuppressed, painful coughs. |
Post-travelling care of horse may include: | checking shoes or plates for shiftingcooling down horses according to weather conditionsensuring animal welfare principles are followedproviding feed and waterrugging as appropriatetreating illness or injury. |