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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 develop basic trackwork riding skills. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas. |
Safety requirements, rules and regulations may include: | adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare approved personal protective equipment, including approved Australian Standard helmets, vests, clothing and footwear considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as: fences and equipment other persons or animals vehicles wind and noise following safe operating procedures gear or equipment that is approved by the regulatory racing body to be worn by horses when being handled general requirements pertaining to safety as well as specific requirements pertaining to particular venues identifying and reporting unsafe work practices identifying emergency situations, for example: gear breakage horse getting loose registration requirements rider obligations under rules of racing track rules and regulations understanding individual horse behaviour. |
Determining fit, wear and suitability of approved gear may include: | gear: cracked leather or PVC frayed reins, girths or surcingles incorrectly adjusted blinkers or pacifiers incorrectly adjusted bits, tongue ties or bridles loose straps, girths and surcingles loose boots or bandages rusty or worn bits slipped saddles horse: discomfort or head shaking impaired action rubbed hair or skin personal protective equipment: helmet age and condition vests boots gloves rules of racing. |
Factors to consider with track features may include: | corrugations or depressions debris on track grading or watering of sand, cinders or woodchips. |
Factors to consider for balanced position will include: | adjusting length of leathers changing hold correct seat at walk, trot, canter and half pace correct weight distribution holding reins position of feet in irons. |
Fitness requirements for trackwork riders will include: | ability to exercise horses at required pace and distance as instructed ability to respond to common trackwork situations practising gym and fitness regime if not riding horses on a daily basis regular use of mechanical horse, equisizer horse or other fitness aid. |
Safe transfer will include: | awareness of strapper's position between horses and moving away from horses controlling mounted horses folding excess lead in large loops talking to horses. |
Control of lead horse and mounted horse may include: | adhering to regulations of racecourse and private roads ensuring correct gear is fitted to horse being led, including: bridle with reins tied off around horse's neck and double clip lead if saddled, irons run up if rugged, all fittings secure boots and bandages secure encouraging horses to settle at transfer of lead before moving off ensuring either horse does not move in advance of the other horse at any time halting horses smoothly keeping lead horse's head turned toward rider leading horse from off side leading only one horse at a time length of lead maintaining firm hold on both reins and lead maintaining walking pace maintaining safe zones when in company of other horses walking through gateway, racecourse or stable entrances and exits. |
Riding etiquette may include: | checking carefully to make sure way is clear before proceeding keeping unnecessary noise to a minimum riding horses to ensure you meet oncoming horses near side to near side waiting until oncoming horses have passed before proceeding waiting for vehicles to pass before proceeding. |
Slow trackwork includes: | long, slow distance work trotting, cantering and half pace working horses on nominated slow tracks on nominated slow days. |
Factors to consider with time counting and pace estimation include: | ensuring horse does not overwork or underwork following instructions judging number of seconds per 200 metres or furlong strong canter to half pace. |
Rules for riding in company to be taken into account include: | maintaining safe length and width space between horses track rules: riding past horses riding in the bull ring passing slower horses entering and leaving track entering and leaving tie-ups working in pairs working with more than two other horses. |
Common trackwork situations may include: | broken reins or defective gear fallen horses or riders horse whipping around horse ducking out the gap horse going in reverse direction horse shying loose or out of control horses track hazards and variations in surface. |