Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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 perform the duties of a barrier attendant at thoroughbred race meetings and trials. Workplaces include thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks, administration buildings and public areas.
Preparation of barrier and starting equipment will include:
battery
communication system
damage
fuel
lights
oil
power steering fluid
transmission fluid
tyre pressure
water.
Duties allocated by the starter may include:
climb barrier
hold horses
load horses
shut gate
walk horses.
Personal protective equipment will include:
approved helmets
approved vests
boots
gloves.
Personal presentation will include:
adhering to industry or race club dress code, including:
clothing
footwear
hair
jewellery and other personal adornment.
Approved racing gear may include:
bandages
bits
blinkers
boots
bridles
breastplates
crossover nosebands
girths
pacifiers
reins
rings
saddles
shadow roll
stirrup leathers
surcingles
tongue ties.
Damaged or defective gear may include:
frayed reins
incorrectly adjusted blinkers and pacifiers
loose bandages
loose shoes
loose straps
reins with buckles
slipped saddles.
Horse behaviour knowledge may include:
applying restraining techniques
assessing behaviour prior to handling
identifying good behaviour traits and bad behaviour traits and vices
understanding behaviour problems.
Horse handling skills for safe and effective control will include:
approaching horse from near side front
assuming control of horse
avoiding sudden movement
leading horse person to person
maintaining at least two lengths between horses being led
speaking calmly to horse.
Actions carried out when horses are loaded into barriers may include:
communicating with other team members to complete tasks
leading horse forward into barrier correctly
linking arms to move horse forward
pushing horse sideways
closing gates of stalls correctly
lifting tail to prevent horse flipping
climbing barrier and moving to horse's head to take control
assuming correct position to assist jockey in barrier
straddling barrier safely to control horse
exiting barrier safely, quickly and efficiently.
Strategies employed to load difficult horses may include:
applying cane (under starter's instruction)
applying barrier blanket
applying blindfold
applying twitch correctly
applying leading strap
double hold to bridle
holding ear
holding tail (in barrier only)
single hold to bridle
working with other attendants as directed by starter.
Riders may be assisted by:
climbing onto near side of barrier
controlling and calming horse
holding rein correctly.
Problems relayed to the starter may include:
horse burrowing
horse cast under stalls
horse collapsed in stalls
horse laying back on gate
horse kicking
horse pulling back
horse refusing
horse sitting down
horse straddling front of stall or adjacent stall
horse turning head into adjacent stall
horse whipping around
rider injury.
Potential track problems or incidents may include:
gate fails to open
horse injury
loose horses
rider injury.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 performing the duties of a barrier attendant
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient handling and loading of horses into barriers
working with others to undertake and complete barrier 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 perform barrier attendant duties
safe handling areas, such as racetracks and barriers
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.
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, 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).