Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:13 AM AWST

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Supervise horse handling

Supervise horse handling

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOEQO317
State Code
WI688
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
14/12/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
29/01/2014
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
29/01/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to supervise others as they handle horses in equine programs. It focuses on assisting participants who have little or no experience with horses to handle, catch, control, and fit equipment to horses in a safe and effective manner.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan horse handling session.
  • 1.1. Establish participant needsand characteristics and assist with participant disclaimers when required.
  • 1.2. Perform and document appropriate safety checks for the session according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.3. Choose a suitable environment in which to conduct horse handling activities taking into consideration participant needs and characteristics.
  • 1.4. Identify possible hazards associated with horse handling activities and minimise risks according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.5. Assess horses and allocate according to participant needs and characteristics.
2. Brief participants.
  • 2.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the horse handling session in a manner appropriate to participants.
  • 2.2. Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.
  • 2.3. Inform participants of known and anticipated risks, safety requirements, appropriate behaviour and rules and regulations of horse handling.
  • 2.4. Establish a suitable communication system for use while participating in horse handling activities.
3. Conduct horse handling session.
  • 3.1. Provide clear and accurate instructions and demonstrations throughout the session.
  • 3.2. Supervise participants and maintain effective communication throughout horse handling session.
  • 3.3. Monitor participants during horse handling session and provide individual and group correction as required, according to rules, regulations and accepted best practice principles.
  • 3.4. Facilitate group dynamics to maintain participant and horse safety, control and engagement.
  • 3.5. Conclude the session and ensure the safe departure of participants.
4. Complete post-session responsibilities.
  • 4.1. Encourage participants to evaluate the session and provide feedback as required.
  • 4.2. Identify potential areas of improvement for future horse handling sessions.
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.
Participant needs and characteristics may include:
age
fitness level and physical capabilities
injuries and illnesses
previous experience
reasons for participating.
Safety checks may include:
client clothing and sun protection
client medications and special needs
condition of equipment
personal protective equipment
surfaces and fencing of areas
temperament of horses
training of horses
weather conditions
horse health and injuries.
Relevant legislation may include:
work health and safety/occupational health and safety
permits and permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
code of ethics
communication protocols
conflict resolution
first aid requirements
maintenance of records
work health and safety/occupational health and safety
standard operating procedures
use, care and maintenance of horses, tack and personal equipment.
Suitable environment may include
horse arena
horse yard
round yard
fenced paddock
post and rail fences
hitching rails.
Hazards may include:
dogs
equipment
fences
group behaviour
horses
insects
slippery or unstable terrain
temperature extremes
unsafe structures.
Risks may include:
equipment failure
heat exhaustion
hypothermia
injuries to horses and/or participants.
Relevant Information may include:
boundaries for session
communication systems
emergency procedures
equipment, clothing and resource requirements
horse feed distribution systems
responsible and safe behaviour
rules and regulations of horse handling
safety procedures
techniques for horse handling, restraint and use of equipment.
Safety requirements may include:
catching
leading
saddling
bridling
tethering
mounting
keeping distance from other horses
dismounting
unsaddling
unbridling
cooling down horse
rugging
releasing horse to paddock or stall.
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 ability to:
choose and maintain a safe environment to conduct horse handling activities
convey information to participants for horse handling sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely, according to participant needs, relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations and best practice codes
monitor participants and provide constructive feedback, intervention and modification of activities to facilitate their participation in the horse handling session
apply effective contingency management techniques to make adjustments in response to changing conditions, such as changing behaviours of the horses or inappropriate behaviour of participants
evaluate and reflect on own performance to identify areas for improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
supervision of at least three sessions that are tailored to the needs and characteristics of a range of participants and conducted in a safe manner.
Assessment must include access to:
areas which are suitable for horse handling activities
tractable horses suitable for the sessions
a group of participants for the sessions
personal protective equipment for participants
tack such as halters, ropes, grooming, horse washing and training equipment, saddles and bridles.
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:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, rules and regulations of horse handling and best practice principles to enable safe conduct of all horse handling activities during sessions
direct observation of safe conduct of the session or sessions, including monitoring and adjusting session or sessions according to participants’ needs, characteristics and responses
portfolio of self evaluations and safety checks for sessions
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BBF48 SISOEQU007 Instruct horse handling skills Unit of competency