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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Comply with trackwork rules, protocols and safety requirements.
  2. Develop riding skills on safe, experienced horses using an exercise saddle.
  3. Lead a horse at the walk while mounted.
  4. Ride slow work.

Required Skills

Required skills

applying safe riding and work practices when dealing with horses

applying trackwork riding skills

communicating with employer supervisor coworkers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to basic trackwork riding

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

controlling mounted horse and lead horse simultaneously

counting the time and identifying the pace at which horse is working

evaluating risks associated with riding trackwork

following instructions of supervisor with regard to riding horses in trackwork

identifying and correctly using different items of approved gear

identifying horse behaviour social traits and vices

interpreting and implementing trackwork instructions

leading horse at walk while mounted

maintaining riding etiquette

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

Required knowledge

basic industry terminology related to riding horses

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common horse behaviour social traits and vices

effective working relationships and teamwork

riding techniques

personal protective equipment and purpose for its use

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements including safe operating procedures

range and purpose of approved gear

relevant rules of racing

riding etiquette

Evidence Required

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 riding basic trackwork

demonstration of control of quiet thoroughbred horses in a range of common slow trackwork riding situations

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe effective and efficient application of basic trackwork riding skills

working with others to undertake and complete basic trackwork riding procedures that meet required outcomes

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of welleducated racehorses of different ages and sexes and at different stages of preparation 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 thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidates ability to demonstrate basic trackwork riding skills

safe handling areas and appropriate practical riding areas such as racing stables and training and racetracks

work instructions and related documentation

Method of assessment

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

RGRCMNA Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices

RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices

RGRPSHA Develop riding skills for flatwork

RGRPSH206A Develop riding skills for flatwork

RGRPSHA Identify factors that affect racehorse performance

RGRPSH304A Identify factors that affect racehorse performance.

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


Range Statement

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 develop basic trackwork riding skills. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Safety requirements, rules and regulations 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

approved personal protective equipment, including approved Australian Standard helmets, vests, clothing and footwear

considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

following safe operating procedures

gear or equipment that is approved by the regulatory racing body to be worn by horses when being handled

general requirements pertaining to safety as well as specific requirements pertaining to particular venues

identifying and reporting unsafe work practices

identifying emergency situations, for example:

gear breakage

horse getting loose

registration requirements

rider obligations under rules of racing

track rules and regulations

understanding individual horse behaviour.

Determining fit, wear and suitability of approved gear may include:

gear:

cracked leather or PVC

frayed reins, girths or surcingles

incorrectly adjusted blinkers or pacifiers

incorrectly adjusted bits, tongue ties or bridles

loose straps, girths and surcingles

loose boots or bandages

rusty or worn bits

slipped saddles

horse:

discomfort or head shaking

impaired action

rubbed hair or skin

personal protective equipment:

helmet age and condition

vests

boots

gloves

rules of racing.

Factors to consider with track features may include:

corrugations or depressions

debris on track

grading or watering of sand, cinders or woodchips.

Factors to consider for balanced position will include:

adjusting length of leathers

changing hold

correct seat at walk, trot, canter and half pace

correct weight distribution

holding reins

position of feet in irons.

Fitness requirements for trackwork riders will include:

ability to exercise horses at required pace and distance as instructed

ability to respond to common trackwork situations

practising gym and fitness regime if not riding horses on a daily basis

regular use of mechanical horse, equisizer horse or other fitness aid.

Safe transfer will include:

awareness of strapper's position between horses and moving away from horses

controlling mounted horses

folding excess lead in large loops

talking to horses.

Control of lead horse and mounted horse may include:

adhering to regulations of racecourse and private roads

ensuring correct gear is fitted to horse being led, including:

bridle with reins tied off around horse's neck and double clip lead

if saddled, irons run up

if rugged, all fittings secure

boots and bandages secure

encouraging horses to settle at transfer of lead before moving off

ensuring either horse does not move in advance of the other horse at any time

halting horses smoothly

keeping lead horse's head turned toward rider

leading horse from off side

leading only one horse at a time

length of lead

maintaining firm hold on both reins and lead

maintaining walking pace

maintaining safe zones when in company of other horses

walking through gateway, racecourse or stable entrances and exits.

Riding etiquette may include:

checking carefully to make sure way is clear before proceeding

keeping unnecessary noise to a minimum

riding horses to ensure you meet oncoming horses near side to near side

waiting until oncoming horses have passed before proceeding

waiting for vehicles to pass before proceeding.

Slow trackwork includes:

long, slow distance work

trotting, cantering and half pace

working horses on nominated slow tracks on nominated slow days.

Factors to consider with time counting and pace estimation include:

ensuring horse does not overwork or underwork

following instructions

judging number of seconds per 200 metres or furlong

strong canter to half pace.

Rules for riding in company to be taken into account include:

maintaining safe length and width space between horses

track rules:

riding past horses

riding in the bull ring

passing slower horses

entering and leaving track

entering and leaving tie-ups

working in pairs

working with more than two other horses.

Common trackwork situations may include:

broken reins or defective gear

fallen horses or riders

horse whipping around

horse ducking out the gap

horse going in reverse direction

horse shying

loose or out of control horses

track hazards and variations in surface.