Required skills

problemsolving skills to

select appropriate horses to match organisational operational and program needs

determine appropriate courses of action regarding training progress and suitability

assess cost and benefits of retraining horses to ensure suitability

planning and organising skills to source appropriate horses and acquire and test them within appropriate time frames

communication skills to liaise with appropriate personnel to determine suitability of horses and appropriate courses of action regarding unsuitable horses

literacy skills to complete appropriate documentation

numeracy skills to work within budgetary constraints when purchasing horses

horse handling and riding skills

Required knowledge

relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable the safe and effective testing purchase and training of appropriate horses

factors affecting general horse selection and purchase such as cost and benefit implications

characteristics affecting choice of horses such as size age health training and previous experience tractability vices temperament

usual behaviour vices and undesirable traits of horses and the identification of appropriate behaviour modification and corrective practices and procedures to enable effective and humane training of horses

prepurchase testing techniques to accurately assess potential suitability of horses

understanding and identification of indicators of conformation and health issues in horses and likely outcomes

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 following is essential

applies knowledge of horse handling and behaviour to test horses before purchase

safely handles horses to assess their potential suitability to meet the needs of riding programs and clients and acquires them according to organisational policies and procedures

monitors the training progress of horses decides on their suitability for riding programs and determines appropriate courses of action to deal with problem horses taking into consideration cost benefit safety and time issues

applies effective contingency management techniques to ensure horses health and welfare at all times

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure the acquisition and monitoring of the progress of multiple horses to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

a horse riding establishment

sources for the acquisition of horses

a real or simulated budget for purchasing horses

horses of varying physical conditions operating in a variety of roles and at various stages of training

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

observation of assessment of horses potential suitability for riding programs and application of testing techniques

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of behaviour of horses and the effects of training and retraining

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

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

SISOEQOA Train and condition horses

SISOEQO409A Train and condition horses.

Guidance information for assessment

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Appropriate personnel may include:

Characteristics and types of horses may include:

Program and operational needs may include:

Sources may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Inappropriate behaviour patterns may include:

Appropriate courses of action may include: