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 strapping horses for race meetings and trials

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient attendance of horses at race meetings and trials

working with others to undertake and complete strapping duties that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of racehorses 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. 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 race meetings and trials

safe handling areas at racing stables, racetracks and race meetings

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, for example:

RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices

RGRPSH201A Handle horses.

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

assisting with saddling or harnessing process

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

caring for horses

cooling down horses

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

following instructions of trainer and working autonomously when necessary with regard to attending horses for race meetings and trials

following stable procedures

grooming horses

identifying race gear

identifying and using grooming tools

identifying irregularities with horses

parading horses

preparing horses for race meetings

performing post-race 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

reporting irregularities with horse or gear to trainer.

Required knowledge

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common racehorse behaviour traits

common race injuries

effective working relationships, including teamwork

industry terminology

irregularities with horses and gear

personal presentation

post-race procedures

pre-race duties

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

race gear

relevant rules of racing

saddling or harnessing procedures.

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 race meetings and trials. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Horses are prepared prior to race meetings by:

checking horse for illnesses or injuries

checking feed and water intake

checking manure quantity and quality

fitting floating bandages, boots and tail guards

grooming

mane pulling as directed

picking out feet

shampooing as directed

tail trimming as directed.

Race gear may include:

anti-rearing bit and double clip lead (selected)

bandages, elastoplast and vetwrap

blinkers, pacifiers, tongue ties and nosebands as needed

buckets

colours

cotton wool or gamgee wraps

grooming kit

needles, thread and tape

race bridles

rugs

shampoo

spare leads

stencils for quarter marks

sulkies

towels.

Personal presentation may include:

dress

grooming

jewellery

personal behaviour.

Instructions from officials will relate to:

changing order of place in parade ring

giving unruly horse over to clerk of course

holding horse for identification check

holding horse for presentation following race

taking horse to swab box

walking horse for inspection.

Pre-race or pre-trial duties will include:

attendance to animal welfare in stalls

assisting in swabbing process

preparation of horses for racing, including:

applying quarter marks

bridling at appropriate time

grooming

keeping horse calm

shampooing

taping or bandaging

warming up.

Parading horses will include:

adhering to safe work practices

awareness of other horses in enclosure or birdcage

following directions from officials

holding horse for jockey or driver to mount

identifying potential hazards, including:

horses

other people

gear and equipment

physical environment

unsafe work practices

keeping horse calm

listening for mount-up instructions

leading horse onto track and unclipping lead promptly

maintaining safe space between horses

parading in numerical order

walking in correct direction.

Post-race or post-trial procedures may include:

assisting with swabbing

cooling horse down

holding horse for presentation or photos

leading horse from enclosure

observing semaphore for placing and meeting horse and rider in correct location

observing horse for signs of heat stress

walking horse in quiet area while presentation preparations are made.

Injury may include:

cuts and wounds

heel or sole injury from shifted or sprung plates

jarring up

muscle damage

tendon or ligament damage.

Horses may be cooled down by:

allowing small drinks of water

hosing down

placing towel or quarter sheet on loins

scraping to remove excess water

walking horse for up to 30 minutes.

Horses and gear may be prepared for return to stables by:

collecting and packing gear

ensuring horse is properly cooled down before being loaded for transport

fitting bandages and boots.

Returned to stables procedures may include:

checking again for illness, injury or distress

checking shoes

feeding and watering horse according to stable routine

reporting irregularities

rolling and hosing horse, depending upon climate

rubbing down

rugging horse

storing gear

walking horse after floating if horse is boxed.