This unit of competency supports stablehands, strappers, trainers and others authorised to assist with the transportation of horses.

Competencies attained in this unit apply to the harness and thoroughbred codes of the industry. Consequently when performance criteria are applied they will relate to the harness or thoroughbred code and statements of attainment will reflect this distinction.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

RGRPSH201A

Handle horses

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Prepare for loading and unloading.

1. Basic vehicle and float safety c heck is conducted and risks are identified.

2. Equipment required for transporting horses is organised and checked for defects.

3. Horses are checked and correctly prepared for transport ,in accordance with instructions and within nominated time frame.

Load and unload horses.

4. Horses to be transported are safely loaded or unloaded in accordance with instructions.

5. Horses are positioned according to individual horse requirements and transport configurations .

6. Procedures for dealing with difficult situations in loading and unloading are applied.

7. Difficulties in loading and unloading are referred to supervisor.

Monitor horses during transportation.

8. Common behaviour of horses during transportation is identified.

9. Incidents, equipment defects or procedural problems in transportation are reported.

10. Horse behaviour problems in transportation are promptly reported.

Conduct post-transport procedures.

11. Horses are inspected and illness or injury is reported to supervisor.

12. Horses are cared for according to supervisor's instructions.

13. Vehicle and float are checked and cleaned .

Required skills

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

checking and cleaning vehicle and float

communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to assisting with transportation of horses

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

following instructions

identifying horse behaviour problems

identifying symptoms and signs of illness and injury

identifying and correctly using different items of personal protective equipment

identifying and correctly using different items of gear and equipment and assessing condition of same in terms of safe use and need for repair

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

reporting problems promptly

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

basic industry terminology related to handling horses

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common horse behaviour, social traits and vices

illness and injury to horses

purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant road safety rules.

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.

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 all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when assisting with the transportation of horses

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient transport of horses

working with others to undertake and complete transportation procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of racehorses of different ages and sexes, and at different stages of preparation in racing stable and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

a variety of harness or thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment, including transport vehicles relevant to assessing candidate's ability to assist with transportation of horses

safe handling areas, such as racing stables and racetracks

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

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 assist with the transportation of horses. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Basic vehicle and float safety check may include:

assessment of risks and hazards to people and horses

float:

breach chains and dividers

brake lights and indicators

floor

interior lighting

ventilation

vehicle:

brakes

jack and wheel brace

lights and indicators

tow bar and ball

tyres.

Equipment for transporting horses may include:

bandages for legs and tails

bell boots

bits

head collars and leads

hock protectors

hoods

knee boots

rugs.

Checking and preparing horses for transport may include:

horse is assessed for illness or injury

feet are picked out

legs and tail are protected

rugs and hoods are used as directed

shoes are tight.

Transport may include:

air transport

floats

sea transport

trailers

trucks.

Horses may be positioned by:

removing rearing bit or other gear before tying up

tying up at suitable length and height using a quick release knot.

Horse requirements may include:

horse's temperament

horses that scramble or need extra space or height

stallions versus geldings, mares or young stock.

Transport configurations may include:

angle loading

head to front loading

head to rear loading

side loading.

Procedures for dealing with difficult situations during loading and unloading may include:

aligning float correctly

ensuring interior lighting works

ensuring angle of ramp is as low as possible

loading older, more experienced horses first

placement of individual horses

using britching rope

using bits for greater control.

Horse behaviour problems may include:

barging

fighting with other horses

going down in the float

kicking

pawing.

Indicators of illness or injury may include:

dehydration

diarrhoea

elevated temperature

head, leg or body wounds

laminitis symptoms

listlessness

shifted plates or shoes

swelling in limbs

travel sickness symptoms.

Caring for horses 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 and transport of horses

checking shoes or plates for shifting

considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

cooling down horses according to weather conditions

feeding and watering as directed

identifying and reporting unsafe work practices

identifying emergency situations, for example:

gear breakage

horse getting loose

rugging as appropriate

treating illness or injury as directed

understanding individual horse behaviour

wearing personal protective equipment.

Checking and cleaning vehicle and float may include:

gear and equipment are removed and stored

manure is collected and removed to waste area

rubber matting is cleaned or removed if wet

vehicle and float are locked.

Unit Sector

Harness and thoroughbred racing codes

This unit contains employability skills.