Required skills

applying safe work practices when handling and driving or riding horses

checking signs and symptoms of distress when handling or working horses

communicating with employer supervisor coworkers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather interpret and relay information related to identifying factors that affect racehorse performance

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

following instructions

identifying behavioural or physical indicators of horse fitness

identifying signs and symptoms of distress in working horses

identifying different items of corrective gear

identifying and describing normal and abnormal gaits

observing and reporting horses postexercise recovery

relating to people from a range of social cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

recognising factors that influence speed and strength in racehorses

reporting problems promptly

taking action in a safe manner should horses suffer distress when being exercised

Required knowledge

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common horse behaviour social traits and vices

corrective gear

features of racehorse conformation

gaits of a horse

horse fitness indicators

lameness in horses

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

signs and symptoms of distress in working horses

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 identifying factors that affect racehorse performance

implementation of procedures and timely techniques to safely effectively and efficiently complete identification of factors that affect racehorse performance

working with others to undertake and complete tasks related to the identification of factors that affect racehorse performance that meet required outcomes

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of welleducated 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 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 harness or thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidates ability to identify factors that affect racehorse performance

safe handling and driving or 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 andor oral assessment of candidates required knowledge

observed documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidates 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

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

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

RGRCMNA Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices

RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands eg literacy and numeracy demands and the needs of particular target groups eg 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

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to identify factors that affect racehorse performance. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Features of racehorse conformation may include:

Gaits of racehorse may include:

Lameness and other abnormalities will include:

Corrective gear may include:

Factors that influence speed and strength may include:

Behavioural and physical indicators of fitness will include:

Signs and symptoms of distress in working horses may include:

Horses' post-exercise recovery may include: