Elements and Performance Criteria
- Select and prepare tack, horse and personal equipment.
- Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during horse handling and riding activities.
- Assess horse and select to match own skill level and riding conditions.
- Check condition of horse, confirm soundness and groom before fitting tack.
- Select tack and personal equipment to match riding conditions, and check it is in safe working condition.
- Fit and adjust tack and personal equipment to self and horse to ensure comfort and safety.
- Ride horses in tracked trail ride environments.
- Mount and dismount horse safely in tracked trail ride environments without assistance according to organisational safety procedures.
- Interpret behavioural signals, use positive body language and aids to direct, communicate with and control horse.
- Use appropriate posture for horse riding, and safely and effectively handle the horse in a range of movements.
- Establish and maintain an appropriate rhythm and pace.
- Maintain safe zones and communication protocols during group riding activities.
- Use practices to minimise impact of horse riding on the environment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- Negotiate environmental obstacles and inclines.
- Choose, and maintain riding position appropriate for negotiating obstacles and grade of incline.
- Control horse resistance, line of direction and speed to safely approach, avoid or negotiate obstacles.
- Control line of direction and speed of horse using appropriate gait to negotiate ascending and descending inclines of mild grades.