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 basic riding tasks. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Safety and welfare may 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
adhering to rules of training arena and public venues
being aware of relevant road safety rules as they apply to horses being led or ridden singly and in company
considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:
fences and equipment
other persons or animals
vehicles
wind and noise
contributing to development of risk control measures
following safe operating procedures
identifying and reporting hazards or unsafe work practices
identifying emergency situations, for example:
gear breakage
horse bolting
horse fall
horse getting loose
lack of control of horse
understanding horse behaviour traits as they relate to practising riding tasks, for example:
senses
social behaviour
fight or flight response
understanding risks associated with handling horses, including:
bites
horse injury
personal injury
trampling
using approved gear for horses
using approved riding aids
wearing personal protective equipment, including approved Australian Standard helmet, clothing and footwear.
Venue-specific requirements may include:
rules of training arena
rules and regulations of training tracks
relevant rules of racing.
Potential hazards may include:
distracting events or behaviours caused by people with no horse sense
distracting events or situations due to natural causes, such as wind
rider or horse falls
rider illness due to weather conditions or other reasons
gear failure
hazards of:
riding alone
riding horses with bad habits
riding inexperienced horses
riding too close to other horses
horse's behaviour and possible reactions, such as:
horse's ability to learn and remember routines and locations, such as:
areas where previous incidents have occurred
home stables
track entry or exit points
horse's natural instinct to:
rear, bite or kick if it feels threatened, excited or in pain
run if frightened
want to stay with other horses
horse's lack of reasoning ability to rely on rider signals alone to discriminate between safe and unsafe stimuli
horse's response to loud or unusual noise or other stimuli, including machinery and other animals
horse injury.
Pre-exercise care may include:
checking disposition of horse
grooming to instructions, including:
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 gear, checking for wear or damage and fitting as directed.
Basic riding skills will include:
fitting gear for comfort and safety
riding horses singly or in company
retrieving reins
saddling horses
stopping and changing direction
understanding and correctly using aids
warming up horses as instructed.
Horses are warmed up and warmed down by:
riding horse at a walk or trot
walking in hand
walking on treadmill or horse walker.
Designated gear may include:
bridles, including leather or plastic with snaffle bits or ring bits
breastplates
protective boots
rings or running martingales
saddles, including general purpose, stock saddle or similar with appropriate irons
saddlecloths and necessary packing.
Aids may include:
natural aids, including:
hands
legs
seat or weight
voice
artificial aids that require experience and moderation when used, including:
whips
crops
spurs
martingales
bits and auxiliary reins.
Controlling movement, speed and direction of horse may include:
at walk, trot and canter
backing
collecting
correctly using aids
halting
in an enclosed arena and safe riding areas
singly and in company.
Basic riding instructions may include:
changing diagonals
circles
figure eights
leg changes
serpentines
straight tracks.
Post-exercise care may include:
ensuring animal welfare principles are followed
checking horses for injury and soreness
grooming horses
inspecting gear and equipment for wear and breakage
warming down horses following stable procedures.
Post-exercise grooming may include:
brushing
cleaning hooves
hosing
rolling
scraping
sheath cleaning
towelling.
Signs of gear wear and breakage may include:
cracked leather or PVC
frayed reins, girth or surcingles
gear slippage
perished rubber or plastic
rubbed hair or skin
rusted buckles and bits
split or cracked points
worn bit joints, padding or stitching.

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 when performing basic riding tasks
demonstration of control of a quiet thoroughbred horse in basic riding manoeuvres in a controlled area
implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete basic riding tasks safely, effectively and efficiently
working with others to undertake and complete basic riding tasks that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of well-educated thoroughbred horses 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 or simulated environment 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 well-educated thoroughbred horses
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform basic riding skills
safe handling and controlled riding 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.
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).