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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 plan and adapt training and conditioning programs for racehorses. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred racing stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas. |
Types of behavioural indicators include: | horses are eating up their feed and drinking sufficient waterhorses are willing to complete work tasks and activitieshorses are settled in stables or yardshorses are showing signs of lameness or pain. |
Physiological indicators of fitness include: | absence of signs or symptoms of inadequate coolingabsence of signs or symptoms of physiological distress, such as:colicexertional rhabdomyolosis (tying up)thumpsabsence of signs or symptoms of swelling, heat or sorenessblood and other test results are within normal parametershorse's weight is within appropriate parameterstemperature, pulse and respiration are within normal parameters. |
Performance indicators used to evaluate a horse's response to current workload include: | horses are able to complete work and exercise taskshorses are recovering to resting temperature, pulse and respiration after work or exercise tasks within acceptable time framework or exercise tasks are completed within acceptable time frames. |
Factors to consider for horses in their first preparation for racing include: | exercise speed and duration are appropriate for fitness status, giving consideration to the need to avoid overexcited animals working faster or longer than was plannedhorse's ability to settle into training environmentlength of time between breaking and commencing first training periodlength of time in training before a spell to allow recovery and adaptation time as well as a mental break from a racing routinemore conditioning time is required to allow for physical adaptation of musculo-skeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systemsphysical maturity of horsetrack or exercise facility conditions, for example:track ratingtrack surface condition. |
Considerations for horses returning from injury include: | consultation and monitoring under veterinary supervisionlength of time out of training since injurylocation of injury and tissue damage sustainedneed for controlled exercise to aid recoveryneed for ongoing therapy or management of injured tissueoptions of using alternative methods of exercise, including swimmingprognosis for returning to competitive racing performance post-injurysignificance of track conditions to the type of injury sustained, for example:heavy or deep trackswet or slippery surfaces. |
Options for adapting training programs include: | changing training venue:changing climatic location, for example:lower humiditymore or less rainchange in size of training enterprise, for example large versus small training establishmentchange in racing directionintroducing variation in exercise types, for example:hacking outjoggerriding (harness)pongingswimmingtreadmill or walkertraining from paddock rather than from stabletraining on or away from race meeting venuesvarying length of time or frequency of exercise periodsworking horses in company or aloneworking horses with a pacemaker. |
Preparing conditioning programs for horses includes: | horse's confidence working close to othersindividual horse's current stage of fitnessindividual horse's personality and behaviourlength of training sessiontype of work included over a week, for example:in wateron beachon hillson public or private track. |
Factors to consider when reviewing trackwork times and behaviour include: | are trackwork times within acceptable parameters for a particular track and conditionsis horse willing to go past others during trackworkis horse willing to work close to othersis horse worked with others or alone to gain these times. |
Corrective or remedial gear may include: | assorted bitsblinkers or hoodharness specific:ear muffshead checklugging polenosebandsspreadersthoroughbred specific:barrier blanketear muffsmartingalenosebands. |
Factors to consider when diet is reviewed include: | access to fresh pastureappropriate volume of feedbalance of concentrates and roughage in dietchanged eating patternsdrinking appropriate volume of water dailyhorse's appetitelevels of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in the dietpresence of potentially diet-related illnesses, including:colicdeficiency in electrolytes indicated in blood testsexcessive sweating or insufficient sweatingexertional rhabdomyolosis (tying up)horse being diagnosed with ulcersteething conditions leading to inability to eat hard feed temporarily. |
Performance compared to racing goals includes: | a more effective assessment of horse readiness to run may be required, for example:blood testsfast workout with another known horse or group of horsesfitness testanimal welfare and racing guidelines for the amount of workdoes horse need a few trials and/or races to reach peak performanceexpected time frame to first trial or racehormone control, for example:maresstallions versus geldingsrace class or type that horse is being prepared forspecialist advice required to review fitness, for example:farriertherapistveterinariantrainer style, methods and size of establishment versus horse response. |