Required skills

communication skills to

consult with participants to identify their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the session

convey skills to participants

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problemsolving skills to

conduct the session according to participant needs and characteristics

anticipate and mitigate aggressive misbehaved andor frightened horses

address participant difficulties during the session

anticipate and respond appropriately to routine situations

planning and organising skills to

source and access appropriate equipment horses and a suitable area for the session

monitor participation

organise participants into manageable groups with suitable horses for the session

language and literacy skills to

complete postsession participant and self evaluations

conduct and document safety checks

numeracy skills to conduct activities within session timeframes

personal safe horse handling and restraint skills to enable the safe and effective conduct of horse handling sessions for participants

Required knowledge

legislation organisational policies and procedures and rules and regulations of horse handling to ensure safe and nondiscriminatory conduct of session features of the environment used for the session to enable identification and management of potential risks and hazards

selection use and set up of tack and equipment for a horse handling session

communication systems used between participants and horses during session

hazards and risks commonly associated with horse handling sessions and methods of mitigating these risks

horse handling techniques to facilitate safe participation in the session

social behaviour psychology and vices of horses to recognise and treat individual temperaments and behaviours throughout the session

emergency and safety procedures appropriate for horse handling to ensure risk minimisation to participants and horses

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

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to

choose and maintain a safe environment to conduct horse handling activities

convey information to participants for horse handling sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely according to participant needs relevant legislation organisational policies and procedures rules and regulations and best practice codes

monitor participants and provide constructive feedback intervention and modification of activities to facilitate their participation in the horse handling session

apply effective contingency management techniques to make adjustments in response to changing conditions such as changing behaviours of the horses or inappropriate behaviour of participants

evaluate and reflect on own performance to identify areas for improvement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

supervision of at least three sessions that are tailored to the needs and characteristics of a range of participants and conducted in a safe manner

Assessment must include access to

areas which are suitable for horse handling activities

tractable horses suitable for the sessions

a group of participants for the sessions

personal protective equipment for participants

tack such as halters ropes grooming horse washing and training equipment saddles and bridles

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation organisational policies and procedures rules and regulations of horse handling and best practice principles to enable safe conduct of all horse handling activities during sessions

direct observation of safe conduct of the session or sessions including monitoring and adjusting session or sessions according to participants needs characteristics and responses

portfolio of self evaluations and safety checks for sessions

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended

Participant needs and characteristics may include:

Safety checks may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Suitable environment may include

Hazards may include:

Risks may include:

Relevant Information may include:

Safety requirements may include: