Required skills

applying principles of horse learning in education and reeducation of harness horses

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

communicating with trainer coworkers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to educating horses for racing

developing balance and tractability of horses

driving horses from mobile start position

driving trackwork on young inexperienced and problem horses

employing strategies to control horses

evaluating horse education

evaluating horse performance

evaluating risks associated with working with horses

following instructions of trainer and working autonomously when necessary with regard to driving horses at trackwork

identifying behaviour of individual horses

judging pace and identifying pace at which horse is working

planning a horse education program

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

reporting horse performance and wellbeing to trainer

selecting and applying techniques to correct racing training and barrier problems

selecting and using remedial training gear

using written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports

Required knowledge

approved gear

causes of common harness racing and training problems

common standardbred behaviour traits

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

horse education programs

horse learning theory principles

indicators of poor performance

industry terminology related to educating horses for racing

mobile start procedures

personal protective equipment

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

remedial gear

standing start procedures

training plans

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

identification of behaviour and movement that could potentially affect horse performance in harness training and racing

evaluation of potential for further improvement or progression in training when deciding if there is a benefit in continuing particularly with reeducation

knowledge of the requirements procedures and instructions that are to apply when educating harness horses for racing

demonstration of effective horse handling skills including corrective techniques that comply with animal welfare directives

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe effective and efficient provision of horse education

selection and application of appropriate effective and humane techniques to correct or modify behaviour and performance of horses being prepared or reeducated for harness racing

working with others to undertake and complete horse education procedures that meet required outcomes

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of 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 Harness 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 horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidates ability to educate harness horses for racing

safe handling and work 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 and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidates application of practical tasks

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Harness 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

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 harness racing industry to assess a candidate's ability to educate harness horses for racing. Workplaces include harness stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

General care and handling may include:

Mouthed may include:

Controlled environment may include:

Confidence in driving tasks may include:

Physical and behavioural causes may include:

Planning an education program may include:

Corrective techniques may include: