This unit of competency supports drivers who have attained jog work driving skills and are ready to drive trackwork in less controlled conditions with a range of horses.

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

RGRPSH305A

Develop driving skills for trackwork

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Follow trainer's instructions.

1. Exercise instructions are confirmed with trainer.

2. Warm up and cool down is appropriate for trainer's and individual horse's exercise requirements.

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

4. Horse welfare is monitored during and after exercise.

5. Horse response to trackwork is reported to trainer.

Horses are exercised in pacework.

6. Gear is selected and fitted for pacework.

7. Pacework speed is achieved and maintained for exercise period.

Follow trainer's instructions for fast work.

8. Gear is selected and fitted for fast work.

9. Fast work speed is achieved and maintained for exercise period.

10. Racing skills of horses are developed.

Required skills

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

applying safe work practices and handling and driving skills when working with horses

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 pacework and fast work driving skills

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

complying with horse welfare directives when responding to indicators of injury or fatigue of horses during or after exercise

driving horses singly and in company

fitting horse gear and driving apparel, including personal protective equipment

following instructions

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

identifying and following exercise area rules and regulations

identifying gait and speed at which a horse is working

maintaining driving etiquette

maintaining fast work and pacework speed throughout exercise period

identifying poor response to exercise that may indicate horse injury or fatigue

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

reporting horses' response to exercise to trainer and others

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 pacework and fast work

demonstration of driving skills to establish and maintain pacework and fast work speeds according to trainer instructions

demonstration of driving skills to avoid or prevent potential accidents at speed

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

working with others to undertake and complete driving skills 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 horses that are being educated and trained in a commercial racing stable under the care of a licensed trainer and the required resources. 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 horses that are currently in training

commercial racing training establishments, and training and racetracks

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

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.

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 drive horses in pacework and fast work. Workplaces include harness stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Exercise instructions may include:

achieving and maintaining speed for each section of exercise period

duration of exercise

exercise venue

pace, including walking and jogging

specific gear and equipment to be used.

Horse welfare monitoring may include:

feeling consistent contact on reins

identifying unexplained drop-off in horse speed, power or attitude to work

listening to breathing pattern

listening to footfalls

measuring heart rate

observing sweating pattern.

Gear selected will include:

horse gear:

anti-rearing bit

bandages

burrs

bits

boots

breastplate

blinkers

bridle

crupper

harness

head check

leading bit

saddle

shadow rolls

spreaders

tail tie

tongue tie

driver gear:

approved Australian Standard helmet, clothing and footwear

sulky.

Pacework speed may include:

establishing and maintaining speeds of 2.20 minutes per mile

maintaining line on track for efficiency of movement

using track markers, stopwatch and other indicators to measure distance and speed.

Fast work speed may include:

establishing and maintaining speeds of 2.10 to 2.08 minutes per mile

maintaining line on track for efficiency of movement

using track markers, stopwatch and other indicators to measure distance and speed.

Racing skills may include:

driving horse from front of field

driving horse from behind

driving horse in company to encourage horse to maintain or better position on track

judicious use of the whip within animal welfare rules of racing to control speed and line on track

practising score-up procedures

practising standing and mobile starts

working close to other horses at fast work speeds.

Unit Sector

Harness racing code

This unit contains employability skills.