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:

identification of horse behaviour and movement that could potentially affect horse performance in training and racing

evaluation of potential for further improvement or progression in training when deciding if there is a benefit in continuing, particularly with re-education

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when educating thoroughbred horses for racing

demonstration of effective horse handling skills (including corrective techniques) that comply with animal welfare directives

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient provision of horse education

selection and application of appropriate, effective and humane techniques to correct or modify behaviour and performance of horses being prepared for thoroughbred racing

working with others to undertake and complete horse education 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 thoroughbred horses

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to educate horses for racing

safe handling and work 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 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, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.

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).

Required skills

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

communicating with trainer, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to educating horses for racing

developing balance and tractability of horses

employing strategies to control horses

evaluating horse education

evaluating horse performance

evaluating risks associated with working with horses

judging pace and identifying pace at which horse is working

following instructions of trainer and working autonomously when necessary with regard to riding horses at trackwork

identifying and rectifying barrier problems

identifying and using remedial training gear

identifying, and incorporating into training the principles of horse learning

identifying behaviour of individual horses

planning a horse education program

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 horse performance and wellbeing to trainer

riding horses into and from barriers

riding trackwork

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

approved gear

barrier operation

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

common racehorse behaviour traits

common barrier problems

effective working relationships, including teamwork

horse education programs

industry terminology

personal protective equipment

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing

remedial gear

training plans.

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 assess a candidate's ability to educate thoroughbred horses for racing. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Planning an education program will include:

discussions with trainer

duration of training program

degree of training covering pre-training at long, slow distance work and faster work

fast or slow morning's work

reporting horse performance to trainer.

Principles of horse learning include:

bonding

conditioned response

dominance

habituation

sensitisation

stimulus and response

submissive behaviour.

Development of balance and tractability will include:

older horses requiring re-education

young horses that have been broken in and are preparing for training.

Factors to consider when horses are worked with other horses at controlled paces will include:

coping with change of pace from trot, canter and half pace during workouts

maintaining safe width space and length between horses

moving outside or inside other horses without altering action or baulking

moving smoothly from slow canter to faster striding work

remaining balanced and travelling on the bit

rules and regulations of the track

working past gaps without deviating

working quietly with other horses or on its own

working with confidence with other horses.

Factors to consider when remedial training techniques are employed may include:

condition of teeth

individual horse behaviour, including:

bolting

climbing

head throwing

inattention to use of aids

opening mouth

shying

whipping around

possible soreness, for example:

back

feet

hindquarters

limbs.

Gear required for remedial training may include:

barrier blankets

bits

blindfolds

blinkers

ear muffs

nosebands

pacifiers

rings

shadow rolls.

Arrangements to use practice barriers will include:

confirming availability of practice barriers with gap attendant or other authorised track personnel

confirming trainer requirements for barrier practice

following local track rules and regulations regarding barrier use

requesting barrier assistant to check smooth operation of front and rear gates before introducing horse to barriers.

Safe manner will include:

ensuring barrier training is conducted when ground is suitable and not slippery

identifying hazards associated with barrier training and applying risk control measures, including adhering to safe operating procedures

considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:

fences and equipment

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind and noise

identifying emergency situations, for example:

horse injury

loose horse

rider injury

identifying and reporting unsafe work practices

wearing personal protective equipment

understanding individual horse's behaviour

using approved gear in good repair

using barriers when there is minimal horse traffic in the immediate area

using graduated procedures to accustom horse to barriers, including:

walking horse through gates on first occasion before re-entering and closing front and rear gates

accustoming horse to barrier and gate noises while standing calmly in barriers

trotting horses from barriers before attempting faster exits

jumping from barriers and riding at controlled canter

jumping smartly from barriers and working strongly as permitted in available space.

Common barrier problems may include:

horse laying back on gate

horse laying on sides of stall

horse burrowing

horse sitting down

horse refusing

horse pulling back

horse straddling front of stalls.