Elements and Performance Criteria
- Plan an overnight horse trail ride.
- Establish participant's needs and characteristics and assist with participant's disclaimer where required
- Select trail ride route suitable for participants and identify rest stops to minimise impact on the terrain and other trail users according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- Assess the capacity to acquire additional or new horses, as required according to organisational policies and procedures.
- Identify hazards associated with the ride and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
- Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan.
- Determine food and water requirements for participants according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues of the activity.
- Develop and document a plan for the ride, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures, to meet participants' needs.
- Identify and plan for the care requirements of horses according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- Obtain permits as required and inform appropriate authorities of route and anticipated duration before commencing the ride.
- Select equipment for the ride.
- Select horses of suitable size and temperament to suit individual rider's needs, abilities and attitude.
- Select and organise equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.
- Select and pack first aid supplies for horse and rider.
- Perform and document appropriate safety checks suitable for the ride, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- Adjust and fit equipment to ensure personal comfort.
- Pack saddle bags to ensure they are balanced and comfortable for the horse.
- Brief participants.
- Communicate instructions and relevant information about the ride in a manner suitable to the participants.
- Demonstrate correct horse handling and riding techniques.
- Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use during the ride.
- Outline safety procedures and safe areas and or boundaries for the ride.
- Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the ride.
- Lead an overnight ride.
- Provide clear and concise direction and advice to group during the ride.
- Identify potential hazards and decide how they can be overcome or avoided.
- Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.
- Implement appropriate modifications to the ride in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
- Respond to emergency or non routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.
- Select and maintain a temporary overnight site
- Assess and select suitable sites to minimise impact on the local environment
- Explain relevant minimum impact practices to group and monitor their compliance
- Arrange shelter appropriate for prevailing weather conditions
- Check condition and health of horses at completion of the day's ride and manage problems that arise from wear or injury according to organisational policies and procedures
- Monitor the security and safety of horses through the night.
- Return site to an equal or greater standard on departure according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
- Complete post trip responsibilities.
- Notify relevant authority of ride completion
- Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures
- Check and deal with injuries or wear to horses according to organisational policies and procedures
- Evaluate relevant aspects of riding activity.
- Identify potential areas of improvement for future overnight trail horse riding activities
- Review own performance and identify potential improvements.