This unit of competency supports novice drivers to develop driving skills for trackwork in less controlled conditions with a range of well-educated horses.

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

RGRPSH204A

Prepare to drive jog work

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Prepare to drive.

1. Exercise instructions are confirmed with trainer.

2. Designated exercise areas are confirmed as free from hazards and obstacles .

3. Gear selected for slow exercise is in good working condition.

4. Horse is prepared for exercise .

Drive and control horse with consideration for safety of horse, driver and other horses and drivers in the vicinity.

5. Horses are kept under control at walk and trot, and pace alone and in company.

6. Horses are driven within safe zones for driving in company.

7. Potential risks are assessed and appropriate action is taken to reduce impact.

Drive horses at nominated speeds over nominated distances.

8. Speed and distance are measured using industry recognised methods .

9. Driving etiquette is maintained when driving in company in accordance with safety of other drivers and horses.

10. Horses are worked according to trainer's instructions .

11. Post-exercise care of horses and gear is carried out according to stable procedures.

Required skills

applying aids to control speed and direction of horse at walk and trot

applying safe handling and work practices when driving horses

applying safe driving skills

assessing hazards and obstacles related to horse exercise areas

being aware of relevant road safety rules

communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and public venue employees using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to developing driving skills for trackwork

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

driving horses singly and in company

fitting horse gear and driving apparel

following instructions

identifying and correctly using different items of gear and assessing their condition in terms of safe use

identifying gait at which a horse is working

identifying and following exercise area rules and regulations

maintaining driving etiquette

preparing horses for exercise and providing post-exercise care to horses

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing

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

understanding and complying with safe zones when driving horses

using numeracy skills to measure distance and time

working safely with other stable employees.

Required knowledge

aids to control speed and direction of a horse

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

driving etiquette

gear and equipment

paces of horses

private road and track rules

purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

safe zones for driving.

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 developing driving skills for trackwork

demonstration of driving skills for trackwork according to trainer instructions

implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete driving skills for trackwork safely, effectively and efficiently

working with others to undertake and complete driving skills for trackwork that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of well-educated harness horses of different ages and sexes 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 Harness 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 well-educated harness horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to practise driving skills

safe handling and controlled driving areas, such as racing stables, and training 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 and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Harness 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.

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

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 develop driving skills for trackwork. Workplaces include harness stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Exercise instructions may include:

duration of exercise

exercise venue

pace, including walking and jogging

specific gear or equipment to be used.

Exercise areas may include:

designated slow exercise areas at racecourses

paddocks

private roads at racecourses

private tracks

relevant rules of racing

rules and regulations of exercise area.

Hazards and obstacles may include:

broken rails, fences or gates

creeks and waterholes

dusty or eroded tracks

horses

machinery

rabbit holes

slippery or muddy surfaces

stray animals, including native animals

vehicles.

Gear selected will include:

bits, for example:

snaffle

straight rubber

boots, for example:

ankle (pastern)

bell boot

scalping

shin

breastplate

bridle

crupper, for example:

standard

rubber dock

tail tie

harness

saddle

standard overcheck or head check

driver gear:

approved Australian Standard helmet, clothing and footwear

sulky.

Horse is prepared for exercise by:

fitting bridle comfortably to horse with reins secured until ready to attach to sulky

positioning sulky to assist with balance to reduce resistance when in motion

requesting assistance from strapper for driving or leading exercise

making final check of gear before mounting sulky

warming up.

Safe zones will include:

distance from other horses:

when walking, maintaining two horse lengths

when trotting or jogging, maintaining four to six lengths

identifying and keeping clear of young or intractable horses

techniques for slowing or manoeuvring horses seeking to encroach on space of others

width between drivers.

Potential risks may include:

gear breakage

loose horses

driver injury

kicks from adjacent horses.

Industry recognised methods to measure speed and distance may include:

measuring distance by:

knowing circumference of track

measuring distance in furlongs, miles or laps

stepping out distance

using track marker poles

measuring time by:

counting aloud

estimating time in relation to distance covered

using marker poles

using stopwatch.

Driving etiquette may include:

checking carefully to make sure way is clear before proceeding

keeping unnecessary noise to a minimum

waiting until oncoming horses have passed before proceeding

waiting for vehicles to pass before proceeding.

Trainer's instructions may include:

length and type of warm up

length and type of cool down

speed, distance and direction of jog work.

Unit Sector

Harness racing code

This unit contains employability skills.