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 attending horses at trackwork

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for safe, effective and efficient attendance of horses at trackwork

working with others to undertake and complete duties 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 relevant to assessing candidate's ability to attend horses at trackwork

safe handling areas, such as racing stables and training or 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.

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

RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices

RGRPSH201A Handle horses

RGRPSH207A Perform stable duties.

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).

Required skills

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

attaching and releasing horses from jog vehicles (harness)

catching, leading, handling and tying up horses

communicating with employer, supervisor, trainer, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to attending horses at trackwork

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

evaluating risks associated with working around horses

fitting approved gear

following instructions of trainer and working autonomously when necessary

following stable procedures

identifying and fitting rugs

identifying and incorporating principles of horse learning into training

identifying and reporting irregularities with horse and gear

identifying approved gear

maintaining working gear

preparing horses for work

performing post-exercise procedures

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

selecting gear and rugs

storing gear.

Required knowledge

approved gear and rugs

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common racehorse behaviour traits

common horse illnesses or injuries

effective working relationships, including teamwork

features of horses

industry terminology

irregularities with horses and gear

personal protective equipment

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

stable procedures

track rules and regulations.

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 attend horses at trackwork. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Horses may be worked by:

jogging machines or vehicles (harness)

paddock exercise

swimming

trackwork, including:

fast work

slow work

treadmills

walking machines.

Verifying horses to be worked may include:

asking questions

checking worksheets against stall numbers

identifying individual horse features.

Approved working gear may include:

gear that is approved by the state or territory regulatory racing body for use in trackwork

general horse gear:

anti-rearing bits

bandages

blinkers

double clip leads

floating boots

nosebands

pacifiers

shadow rolls

tongue ties

winkers

harness-specific gear:

bridles

bits

driving boots

head checks

hopples

hopple shorteners

lugging poles

jog vehicles

pull up blinds

reins

removable deafeners

removable hoods

saddles

shoes

sulkies

thoroughbred-specific gear:

breastplates

bridles

bits

girths

reins

rings

saddles

shoes

stirrup irons and leathers

surcingles

working boots.

Factors to consider when horsesare handled 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

considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

checking for injury

cooling horses down by walking in hand

fitting rugs and gear

holding horses for riders

hosing, scraping and towelling horses

identifying common hazards, which may include:

gear, machinery and equipment

other horses

other people, including employees

physical environment

unsafe work practices

leading horses into and from tie-up

legging up riders

practising safe work procedures

rolling horses

tying up horses

walking person to person

warming horses up by walking in hand, or by placing on treadmill or walking machine.

Rules and protocols may include:

council regulations, for example:

swimming horses

leading horses at the track with bits and double clip leads

local track rules and regulations

road rules, for example:

crossing roads leading horses

rules of racing, including:

animal welfare principles

drugs and alcohol

personal protective equipment.

Factors relevant when horses are prepared for work include:

checking feed and water intake

checking manure quality and quantity

checking disposition of horse

checking for injury

checking gear for wear and damage

following stable procedures

grooming to instructions, for example:

brushing mane and tidying tail

checking legs for injury or swelling and removing mud or dirt

ensuring head, girth and saddle regions are free from mud and sweat

picking out hooves and checking shoes

moving safely and calmly around the horse

positioning horses in tie-up or in stable or yard for saddling

removing bandages or poultices

selecting and fitting gear as directed

warming-up horses.

Procedures followed when gear is checked and cleaned may include:

checking gear for:

breakage

gear loss on track

signs of wear and damage, including:

cracked leather or PVC

frayed leads, girths and surcingles

rusted bits, buckles and clips

splits and rough edges which may cause discomfort to horses

disassembling and reassembling all tack

infection control practices in care, cleaning and use of gear

regular cleaning and maintenance program.

Stable procedures for post-work care of horses may include:

cooling horses down

checking for injuries

grooming horses

reporting injuries

rolling, hosing, scraping and towelling horses

rugging horses

walking or floating from track.

Irregularities with horse may include:

epistaxis

exertional rhabdomyolosis (tying up)

injury

loose shoes

reports from rider indicating irregularities while working, for example:

roaring

soreness

slow recovery rate.