Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 3:10 PM AWST

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Train and condition horses

Train and condition horses

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOEQO409A
State Code
D6370
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
28/11/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan and implement conditioning and training programs for recreational and performance horses. This unit focuses on training and conditioning horses and monitoring their health and well being to optimise performance in their given role.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare individual conditioning and training programs.
  • 1.1. Identify and assess the needs and requirements of the horse according to the role the horse will perform
  • 1.2. Identify and assess level of fitness of the horse according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.3. Identify conformation faults and injuries of individual horses in consultation with veterinarians as appropriate.
  • 1.4. Consult with stakeholders to identify and confirm goals of the program according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.5. Design and document conditioning and training programs to optimise the performance of individual horses in consultation with veterinarians.
  • 1.6. Identify and confirm availability of equipment and resources for the program according to organisational policies and procedures.
2. Implement conditioning and training programs.
  • 2.1. Implement training and conditioning methods appropriate to individual horse health and fitness levels.
  • 2.2. Monitor health and welfare of horse according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.3. Provide ongoing feedback on progress of horse to stakeholders according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.4. Recognise signs and symptoms of injury and implement appropriate intervention strategies according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.5. Monitor feeding and training regimes to confirm they are appropriate to the individual needs and expected performance requirements of the horse.
  • 2.6. Implement appropriate modifications to the program in response to all variable factors that are monitored.
  • 2.7. Supervise transportation practices to ensure that horses are transported safely where required according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.8. Present horses in an industry accepted condition according to industry regulations.
3. Assess training and conditioning program.
  • 3.1. Seek and acknowledge feedback from relevant stakeholders involved in the program.
  • 3.2. Evaluate all relevant components of the program according to identified goals and record outcomes.
  • 3.3. Identify potential areas of improvement of future training and conditioning programs.
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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Needs and requirements may include:
stages of work or training
performance and performance potential
nutrition
housing
care requirements.
Roles may include:
performance sports
recreational
trail riding.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
risk management procedures
assessment procedures
referral procedures
time and budget constraints
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
first aid procedures
industry rules and regulations
code of ethics.
Level of fitness may include:
capability of horse
condition of horse
current nutritional regime
Conformation faults may include:
head and neck set
chest
shoulder
forearm
withers
back
tail
hindquarters or hips
front and hind legs.
Injuries may include:
soreness
lameness
lacerations
abrasions.
Stakeholders may include:
owners
employers
managers.
Conditioning and training programs may include:
goals
musculoskeletal conditioning
muscular balancing
feeding and watering regimes
transportation.
Training and conditioning methods may include:
stimulus response reinforcement.
extended sessions to build fitness
work over challenging country to increase surefootedness
Health and welfare may include:
nutritional and water regimes
restraint
transportation
monitoring of hoof wear or shoeing maintenance.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Intervention strategies may include:
euthanasia
referral to veterinarian.
Modifications may include:
adjustment to feeding regime
adjustment to training program.
Variable factors may include:
level of fitness and well being of horse
work load
nutrition
recurring injury
horse's needs.
Components may include:
appropriateness of training and conditioning program
availability of resources
enhanced performance.
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.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
utilises knowledge of anatomy and physiology and behaviour of horses to assess individual horses capabilities and needs
plans and implements conditioning and training programs to optimise the performance requirements of horses according to their role and environment and relevant regulations
monitors progress of conditioning and training programs and applies effective contingency management techniques to ensure horse's health and welfare and adjusts for individual horses according to differing capabilities and or performance expectations or requirements
encourages and responds to stakeholder feedback and evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure planning, implementation and evaluation of training and conditioning programs of sufficient duration and breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a horse riding establishment
horses of varying physical conditions operating in a variety of roles and at various stages of training
appropriate equipment and resources to implement the training and conditioning program
safety equipment and first aid kit
veterinarians
organisational policies and procedures.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of assessment of horse's needs and application of planning processes to develop an appropriate training and conditioning plan
oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of anatomy and physiology of horses and the effects of training and conditioning
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOEQO408A Determine nutritional requirements for horses.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BBF41 SISOEQU013 Condition horses for sport or recreational performance Unit of competency