This unit applies to workers in the livestock industry who use horses to muster and check stock on a grazing enterprise. It is normally carried out independently according to enterprise procedures.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to use horses for farm operations

1.1. Work to be undertaken is interpreted from work program, where necessary, and confirmed with management.

1.2. Horses are selected for the task.

1.3. Horse's health and soundness is checked to ensure they are physically capable of the work required.

1.4. Equipment is selected, checked, and maintained if necessary.

1.5. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained.

2. Ride horses

2.1. Horses are caught and handled safely and humanely.

2.2. Horses are ridden and educated to carry out stock work.

2.3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards for horse handling and riding are identified, risks assessed and risk controls are implemented.

2.4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained for horse handling and riding.

3. Monitor horse health and condition

3.1. Regular monitoring as a part of daily routines is carried out to identify signs of ill health and poor condition in horses.

3.2. Horses in need of attention are mustered or caught as required, and condition reported and recorded.

3.3. Prescribed treatments are administered for common ailments under supervision of the veterinarian or manager.

3.4. Horses are checked for lameness and shoeing is organised where required.

4. Care for saddlery and equipment

4.1. Basic working gear to suit the individual horse is selected and fitted.

4.2. Working gear is cleaned and checked as a part of regular daily routines.

4.3. Working gear is maintained or repaired as required to ensure safe horse working conditions.

4.4. Working gear and saddlery is cleaned and stored after use in line with organisation guidelines.

Required skills

identify common horse ailments

develop an empathy with the horse or horses in their care

handle horses for routine procedures

effectively assess horse needs and capabilities

ride and uneducated and experienced horses

dress feet

care for saddlery and equipment

identify OHS hazards and implement safety procedures

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required

use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

assessing horse conformation and work capabilities

horse movement and behaviour

signs of unsoundness and disease, work stress or other disorders in horses

horse handling and riding techniques

relevant legislation and enterprise procedures relating to waste and environment management, animal health and welfare, and OHS.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

use calm and humane methods to minimise undue stress and risk to horses or handlers

prepare horses for riding

ride and educate horses as part of property operations

monitor health and condition of horses

maintain saddlery and horse equipment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Types of horses may include:

all breeds and types of horses and related equipment used to work and muster livestock.

Education and breaking of horses may include:

grooming, rugging, shoeing, riding in confined and open areas, and stockwork in confined and open areas.

Unit sector

Horse breeding

This unit contains employability skills.