Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SISOEQO414A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Instruct horse riding and handling skills

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOEQO414A - Instruct horse riding and handling skills
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to instruct participants in horse riding and handling skills. It focuses on applying a variety of appropriate instructional strategies, critiquing participants' technique and assessing participants' skill and knowledge acquisition during and at the end of a program or session.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to current or aspiring individuals operating as riding instructors who would be responsible for planning, instructing and evaluating horse riding and/or horse handling sessions to enable participants to safely participate in a horse riding activity and improve their horse riding and horse handling abilities and techniques.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Nil
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Plan an instructional session.
  • Establish participant's needs and characteristics and assist with participant's registration or disclaimer where required.
  • Assess participant's readiness and current knowledge of horse riding/horse handling to determine the session's aims and objectives.
  • Develop a session plan according to participant's needs and characteristics, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Select, access and perform safety checks suitable for the session, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Identify potential hazards and risks associated with riding or horse handling exercises and activities and determine safety procedures and contingency plans according to best practice principles of equestrian sports.
  • Assess and prepare horses safely and appropriately for the exercises and activities being performed.
       
Element: Brief participants.
  • Communicate instructions and relevant information about the riding session in a manner appropriate to participants.
  • Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.
  • Inform participants of known and anticipated risks, safety procedures, appropriate behaviour and rules and regulations of riding and/or horse handling.
  • Establish a suitable communication system to use while participating in exercises and activities.
       
Element: Conduct riding session or sessions.
  • Apply appropriate teaching techniques to impart required knowledge for relevant riding/handling exercises and activities.
  • Explain and demonstrate safe horse handling techniques to participants.
  • Warm up and mentally prepare horses and participants through safe and appropriate exercises.
  • Monitor individual participant's performance and maintain effective communication during horse riding/horse handling exercises and activities.
  • Bring participants to a halt safely and allow time for cooling down at the end of the session.
       
Element: Complete post session responsibilities.
  • Check and release horses and store tack and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and best practice principles of equestrian sports.
  • Encourage participants to identify their personal progress and satisfaction with the session, and give feedback as required.
  • Evaluate relevant aspects of riding/horse handling session and identify potential areas of improvement for future riding sessions.
  • Review own performance and identify potential improvements.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

conveys information to participants for riding/horse handing sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely, according to participant's needs, relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations and best practice codes

assesses participant's needs and applies relevant processes to safely prepare suitable horses for the sessions compatible with individual needs

monitors participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention and modifies riding/handling activities to facilitate participation in the riding/handling session

evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure conduct of safe sessions that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

locations appropriate for horse riding/horse handling sessions

suitable horses

a group of participants

tack and personal equipment such as halters, ropes, saddles, bridles, helmets and suitable attire

safety equipment.

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 consultation processes with participants to determine their needs and characteristics

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

observation of safe conduct of session or sessions, and monitoring and adjusting session or sessions according to participant's needs, characteristics and responses

portfolio of self evaluations and safety checks for sessions

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan a horse riding session that meets their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the session

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan an appropriate horse riding session according to participant's needs and characteristics

anticipate and mitigate aggressive, misbehaved and or frightened horses

address participant difficulties in developing skills

anticipate and respond appropriately to non routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate tack, personal equipment, horses and a suitable location

monitor and evaluate progress

organise participants into manageable groups with suitable horses for exercises and activities

language and literacy skills to produce plans for horse riding session or sessions and complete post session evaluations

numeracy skills to support effective time management to deliver exercises and activities within session timeframes

first aid skills and safety procedures appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge

legislation, organisational policies and procedures, best practice principles of equestrian instruction and rules and regulations of horse riding and horse handling to enable safe and effective conduct of all activities

location specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential risks, and any special restrictions applying to the location

selection, use and set up of tack and equipment for horse riding sessions

instructional techniques and practices applicable to a range of ages and learning abilities

characteristics of a range of physical abilities, fitness and motor performance to enable assessment of participant readiness

skills of riding/horse handling, and specific exercises and activities that promote skill acquisition in individuals and group

communication systems used between participants, instructors and horses during riding

hazards and risks commonly associated with riding, and methods of mitigating these risks

behaviour patterns and communication traits of horses to recognise and treat individual temperaments and behaviours throughout session

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

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Participant's needs and characteristics may include:

age

cultural factors

fitness level and physical capabilities

knowledge of riding skills

horse handling skills

injuries and illnesses.

Participant readiness may include:

dress

motor performance factors

compatibility between participant and horse.

Session's aims and objectives may include:

developing horse riding and handling skills

education

development

therapy

fitness targets

recreation.

Session plan may include:

session's aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location and space

instructor and participant ratios

equipment, resources and horse

activities

evaluation

weather details

safety requirements.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permissions for access

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety:

conflict resolution

communication protocols

use, care and maintenance of horse, tack and personal equipment

training and scheduling commitments

maintenance of records

code of ethics.

Safety checks may include:

riding/horse handling areas

condition of tack

horses

personal equipment

resources.

Hazards and risks may include:

horse behaviour or injury

equipment malfunctions:

participant falls

environmental hazards

participant behaviour

jump cups left in jump wings

unsuitable jumps

spectators

other riders or facility users.

Riding or horse handling exercises and activities may include:

jumping

gaits

western riding

natural horsemanship

mounting

dismounting

riding positions

saddle posture

halting

voice commands

transitions between gaits

turning

working with horses from the ground.

Relevant information may include:

skill or skills focus

equipment, clothing and resource requirements, selection and use

activity boundaries and instruction area

safety and emergency procedures

communication systems

aims and objectives

rules and regulations of riding

rules and regulations for horse handling on the ground

responsible and safe behaviour.

Teaching techniques may include:

self mounted or unmounted demonstration and explanation

using correct terminology and commands

focussing on a single skill or tactic

breaking down skills into components

progressing through, linking and sequencing skills

questioning

monitoring and observing progress

adjusting, refining or correcting individual or group skills

assessment and evaluation.

Safe horse handling techniques may include:

approaching horses

position near a horse

leading horses

tying up horses

releasing horses

distance from other riders.

Participant's performance may include:

use of appropriate communication systems

performance and accuracy of riding/handling skills

attitude and behaviour.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

assessment technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Establish participant's needs and characteristics and assist with participant's registration or disclaimer where required. 
Assess participant's readiness and current knowledge of horse riding/horse handling to determine the session's aims and objectives. 
Develop a session plan according to participant's needs and characteristics, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Select, access and perform safety checks suitable for the session, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify potential hazards and risks associated with riding or horse handling exercises and activities and determine safety procedures and contingency plans according to best practice principles of equestrian sports. 
Assess and prepare horses safely and appropriately for the exercises and activities being performed. 
Communicate instructions and relevant information about the riding session in a manner appropriate to participants. 
Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session. 
Inform participants of known and anticipated risks, safety procedures, appropriate behaviour and rules and regulations of riding and/or horse handling. 
Establish a suitable communication system to use while participating in exercises and activities. 
Apply appropriate teaching techniques to impart required knowledge for relevant riding/handling exercises and activities. 
Explain and demonstrate safe horse handling techniques to participants. 
Warm up and mentally prepare horses and participants through safe and appropriate exercises. 
Monitor individual participant's performance and maintain effective communication during horse riding/horse handling exercises and activities. 
Bring participants to a halt safely and allow time for cooling down at the end of the session. 
Check and release horses and store tack and equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and best practice principles of equestrian sports. 
Encourage participants to identify their personal progress and satisfaction with the session, and give feedback as required. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of riding/horse handling session and identify potential areas of improvement for future riding sessions. 
Review own performance and identify potential improvements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOEQO414A - Instruct horse riding and handling skills
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SISOEQO414A - Instruct horse riding and handling skills

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: