Required skills

applying horse learning principles to the introduction of young or inexperienced horses to new or stressful activities and environments

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

communicating with stable staff horse health specialists and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to education of horses for racing

complying with animal welfare policies in the care and management of horses

consulting specialists for the training and handling of horses

dealing with emergencies

directing or instructing others in the handling of horses

evaluating options for handling and educating horses

identifying and modifying potentially stressful or hazardous situations and activities for young and inexperienced horses

identifying relaxed and distressed behavioural characteristics in horses

identifying fitting and using different items of riding or driving gear and assessing their condition in terms of safe use and need for repair

identifying fitting and using different items of exercise and protective equipment on horses

maintaining OHS workplace procedures

modifying or adapting training and education practices in relation to individual horse response to stimuli

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

supporting others in applying education programs to horses in the appropriate manner

written communication skills to document education programs and record observations

Required knowledge

activities that racing horses are required to perform

behaviour of horses in normal and distressed states

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

indicators of horses ability to comprehend and complete required tasks

industry terminology related to education of racing horses

OHS protocols and racing industry safety requirements including safe operating procedures

principles of horse anatomy and physiology

racing industry animal welfare requirements

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 planning and introducing racing husbandry and exercise practices to racehorses

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe effective and efficient introduction of industryapproved routines and activities related to educating horses for racing

working with others to implement 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 horses that are being educated and trained in a commercial racing stable under the care of a licensed trainer and the required resources 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 that are currently in training

commercial racing training establishments and training and racetracks

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidates ability to plan and implement education of horses for racing

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

Where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority

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

RGRPSHA Relate anatomical and physiological features to the care and treatment of horses

RGRPSH401A Relate anatomical and physiological features to the care and treatment of horses

RGRPSHA Manage horse health and welfare

RGRPSH408A Manage horse health and welfare

RGRPSHA Determine nutritional requirements for racing horses

RGRPSH409A Determine nutritional requirements for racing horses

RGRPSHA Plan and adapt training and conditioning programs for racehorses

RGRPSH501A Plan and adapt training and conditioning programs for racehorses.

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 plan and implement education of horses for racing. Workplaces include harness or thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Racing stable activities include:

Racing tack and equipment include:

Remedial or corrective equipment includes:

Methods that could be used to acclimatise horses to exercise related activities include:

Methods that could be used to acclimatise horses working on the track include:

Race start activities include:

Social and housing needs of racing horses include:

Assessment of horses' condition may include:

Acclimatisation to stable and training routines and gear may include:

Specialist advice may include: