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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for race meeting duties.
  2. Identify and fit racing gear.
  3. Load horses into barriers.
  4. Assist in track emergencies.
  5. Debrief after race.

Required Skills

Required skills

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

communicating with race starter racing officials and licensed personnel using assertive communication techniques to gather interpret and relay information related to barrier attendant duties

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

evaluating risks associated with loading horses into barriers

identifying and correctly applying different items of approved gear

judging situations and seeking assistance to prevent problems arising or overcome problems before they develop further

leading and handling horses in enclosed spaces

recognising damaged or defective gear

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

relaying messages to others

responding quickly to requests from starter

responding to instructions promptly and safely

teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks

working safely in confined spaces of barrier

Required knowledge

appropriate methods of controlling horses

approved gear

basic industry terminology related to handling horses

limits of own responsibility

personal grooming and presentation requirements

protocols and procedures for communicating with licensed and other racing industry personnel

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements including safe operating procedures

range of behaviour traits exhibited by horses

relevant rules of racing

reporting requirements for irregularities and problems

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 performing the duties of a barrier attendant

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe effective and efficient handling and loading of horses into barriers

working with others to undertake and complete barrier 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 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 perform barrier attendant duties

safe handling areas such as racetracks and barriers

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 for example

RGRCMNA Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices

RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices

RGRPSHA Handle horses

RGRPSH201A Handle horses.

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 perform the duties of a barrier attendant at thoroughbred race meetings and trials. Workplaces include thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks, administration buildings and public areas.

Preparation of barrier and starting equipment will include:

battery

communication system

damage

fuel

lights

oil

power steering fluid

transmission fluid

tyre pressure

water.

Duties allocated by the starter may include:

climb barrier

hold horses

load horses

shut gate

walk horses.

Personal protective equipment will include:

approved helmets

approved vests

boots

gloves.

Personal presentation will include:

adhering to industry or race club dress code, including:

clothing

footwear

hair

jewellery and other personal adornment.

Approved racing gear may include:

bandages

bits

blinkers

boots

bridles

breastplates

crossover nosebands

girths

pacifiers

reins

rings

saddles

shadow roll

stirrup leathers

surcingles

tongue ties.

Damaged or defective gear may include:

frayed reins

incorrectly adjusted blinkers and pacifiers

loose bandages

loose shoes

loose straps

reins with buckles

slipped saddles.

Horse behaviour knowledge may include:

applying restraining techniques

assessing behaviour prior to handling

identifying good behaviour traits and bad behaviour traits and vices

understanding behaviour problems.

Horse handling skills for safe and effective control will include:

approaching horse from near side front

assuming control of horse

avoiding sudden movement

leading horse person to person

maintaining at least two lengths between horses being led

speaking calmly to horse.

Actions carried out when horses are loaded into barriers may include:

communicating with other team members to complete tasks

leading horse forward into barrier correctly

linking arms to move horse forward

pushing horse sideways

closing gates of stalls correctly

lifting tail to prevent horse flipping

climbing barrier and moving to horse's head to take control

assuming correct position to assist jockey in barrier

straddling barrier safely to control horse

exiting barrier safely, quickly and efficiently.

Strategies employed to load difficult horses may include:

applying cane (under starter's instruction)

applying barrier blanket

applying blindfold

applying twitch correctly

applying leading strap

double hold to bridle

holding ear

holding tail (in barrier only)

single hold to bridle

working with other attendants as directed by starter.

Riders may be assisted by:

climbing onto near side of barrier

controlling and calming horse

holding rein correctly.

Problems relayed to the starter may include:

horse burrowing

horse cast under stalls

horse collapsed in stalls

horse laying back on gate

horse kicking

horse pulling back

horse refusing

horse sitting down

horse straddling front of stall or adjacent stall

horse turning head into adjacent stall

horse whipping around

rider injury.

Potential track problems or incidents may include:

gate fails to open

horse injury

loose horses

rider injury.