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 attend horses at race meetings and trials. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Horses are prepared prior to race meetings by:
checking horse for illnesses or injuries
checking feed and water intake
checking manure quantity and quality
fitting floating bandages, boots and tail guards
grooming
mane pulling as directed
picking out feet
shampooing as directed
tail trimming as directed.
Race gear may include:
anti-rearing bit and double clip lead (selected)
bandages, elastoplast and vetwrap
blinkers, pacifiers, tongue ties and nosebands as needed
buckets
colours
cotton wool or gamgee wraps
grooming kit
needles, thread and tape
race bridles
rugs
shampoo
spare leads
stencils for quarter marks
sulkies
towels.
Personal presentation may include:
dress
grooming
jewellery
personal behaviour.
Instructions from officials will relate to:
changing order of place in parade ring
giving unruly horse over to clerk of course
holding horse for identification check
holding horse for presentation following race
taking horse to swab box
walking horse for inspection.
Pre-race or pre-trial duties will include:
attendance to animal welfare in stalls
assisting in swabbing process
preparation of horses for racing, including:
applying quarter marks
bridling at appropriate time
grooming
keeping horse calm
shampooing
taping or bandaging
warming up.
Parading horses will include:
adhering to safe work practices
awareness of other horses in enclosure or birdcage
following directions from officials
holding horse for jockey or driver to mount
identifying potential hazards, including:
horses
other people
gear and equipment
physical environment
unsafe work practices
keeping horse calm
listening for mount-up instructions
leading horse onto track and unclipping lead promptly
maintaining safe space between horses
parading in numerical order
walking in correct direction.
Post-race or post-trial procedures may include:
assisting with swabbing
cooling horse down
holding horse for presentation or photos
leading horse from enclosure
observing semaphore for placing and meeting horse and rider in correct location
observing horse for signs of heat stress
walking horse in quiet area while presentation preparations are made.
Injury may include:
cuts and wounds
heel or sole injury from shifted or sprung plates
jarring up
muscle damage
tendon or ligament damage.
Horses may be cooled down by:
allowing small drinks of water
hosing down
placing towel or quarter sheet on loins
scraping to remove excess water
walking horse for up to 30 minutes.
Horses and gear may be prepared for return to stables by:
collecting and packing gear
ensuring horse is properly cooled down before being loaded for transport
fitting bandages and boots.
Returned to stables procedures may include:
checking again for illness, injury or distress
checking shoes
feeding and watering horse according to stable routine
reporting irregularities
rolling and hosing horse, depending upon climate
rubbing down
rugging horse
storing gear
walking horse after floating if horse is boxed.

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 strapping horses for race meetings and trials
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient attendance of horses at race meetings and trials
working with others to undertake and complete strapping duties that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of racehorses 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 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 harness or thoroughbred horses
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to attend horses at race meetings and trials
safe handling areas at racing stables, racetracks and race meetings
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.
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).