Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare a well-educated, calm, consistent and obedient horse for exhibition in sales, competition or promotion. It involves washing, grooming and trimming horses; cleaning and fitting equipment; and monitoring horses during and after events.
This unit applies to individuals who have no experience, limited experience or no recent experience working in horse industry sectors. They undertake defined routine activities under supervision with limited responsibility for their own work in environments including wash bays, grooming bays, yards and stables at competition, and sales venues or workplaces.
No licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, except for the racing industry, where requirements vary between states and territories.
Work health and safety and animal welfare legislation relevant to interacting with horses applies to workers in this industry. Requirements vary between industry sectors and state/territory jurisdictions. Users are advised to check with the relevant authority for specific requirements.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Plan presentation requirements | 1.1 Carry out basic risk assessment, considering horse body language and behaviour and environmental conditions 1.2 Identify the different grooming standards for competition, presentation and sale requirements 1.3 Confirm with supervisor the timeframes for completing grooming tasks, and feeding and watering schedule for the event 1.4 Confirm clean and check condition of required equipment 1.5 Adjust the fit of equipment prior to event 1.6 Check hoof and shoe condition and report to supervisor 1.7 Prepare event grooming equipment and gear inventory |
2. Wash and groom horse to presentation standard | 2.1 Select appropriate washing products according to coat type, condition and colour, and complete horse washing requirements 2.2 Confirm the competition or breed standard requirements for coat presentation 2.3 Select grooming tools and products according to workplace practices 2.4 Groom to remove loose hair and encourage the coat to lay flat |
3. Trim coat to maintain established style | 3.1 Confirm trimming requirements with supervisor 3.2 Identify hazards and demonstrate safe handling and positioning techniques when using scissors, clippers and blades around horses 3.3 Determine the competition or breed standard requirements for coat trimming 3.4 Select and prepare trimming tools 3.5 Trim tail length and dock hair thickness 3.6 Trim mane to even out thickness and length or cut off depending on breed 3.7 Trim bridle path and withers to the established trim pattern 3.8 Trim jaw line, legs and outside ear line to enhance the basic conformation without compromising horse welfare 3.9 Clean and complete basic maintenance of trimming tools |
4. Plait mane and tail | 4.1 Confirm with supervisor the style or plaiting and number of plaits to be created 4.2 Identify potential horse welfare issues and remedies related to plaiting manes and trimming or plaiting tails 4.3 Use grooming techniques and products to encourage mane and tail hair to lay flat 4.4 Divide the mane and plait down to produce plaits of even thickness 4.5 Run up plaits and forelock in the required style and secure 4.6 Groom tail and prepare in required style |
5. Complete final grooming | 5.1 Apply grooming products to highlight the coat 5.2 Apply face and leg makeup to enhance features and remove stains 5.3 Apply quarter marks that enhance horse conformation 5.4 Dress hooves to comply with event requirements |
6. Tack-up horse for event | 6.1 Confirm the time and location horse is required 6.2 Ensure competition or lot numbers are correct and are fitted to horse, handler and/or rider according to competition requirements 6.3 Check gear requirements and fit and adjust equipment to horse 6.4 Complete final check and wipe over 6.5 Present horse to handler, rider and/or driver |
7. Complete post-event care | 7.1 Cool down horse post-event 7.2 Ensure horse is monitored and managed according to weather conditions 7.3 Remove and brush out plaits after event 7.4 Remove makeup and hoof dressing according to workplace practices 7.5 Provide horse with feed and water according to supervisor instructions 7.6 Clean and store equipment 7.7 Check and report supply levels of grooming products |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Oral communication | Use active listening and questioning to clarify and confirm supervisor instructions Use industry-standard terminology to identify and describe competition, sale and promotional event environments |
Navigate the world of work | Follow work health and safety and animal welfare requirements, relating to own role and work area |
Get the work done | Assemble gear and tack for task and follow clear, sequenced instructions to prepare horses for competition, presentation or sale |
Sectors
Equine (EQU)