Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:12 PM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Select horses for a program

Select horses for a program

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOEQO407A
State Code
D6368
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
13/10/2014
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
13/10/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to select horses to suit the needs of riding programs. It focuses on testing, purchasing and re-testing horses to assess if they are suitable for riding programs.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Establish criteria for purchasing horses.
  • 1.1. Identify and access available budget for purchasing horses according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.2. Identify and assess program needs in consultation with appropriate personnel.
  • 1.3. Identify the characteristics and types of horses required according to program and operational needs.
  • 1.4. Identify and evaluate sources of horses according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.5. Confirm purchase timetable allows suitable time prior to operational use for training.
2. Select and buy horses.
  • 2.1. Assess horses against identified program needs
  • 2.2. Test horses extensively prior to acquisition according to organisational policies and procedures
  • 2.3. Check behaviour patterns of horses to confirm compliance with accepted industry practice.
  • 2.4. Check health of animals according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
  • 2.5. Purchase horses and complete appropriate documentation according to organisational policies and procedures
3. Monitor horses progress.
  • 3.1. Identify inappropriate behaviour patterns and habits and implement appropriate training program to ensure horse's suitability to the program and the safety of clients.
  • 3.2. Implement ongoing monitoring and identify continuing problems and appropriate courses of action.
  • 3.3. Re-test horses to confirm they are suitable for the program.
  • 3.4. Remove horses exhibiting inappropriate behaviours from the program if re-training is ineffective or impractical.
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.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
testing and training timeframes
selection of horses
testing pre-buying
documentation requirements
re-testing of horses after purchase
time and budget constraints
horse industry rules and regulations
code of ethics.
Appropriate personnel may include:
employers
owners
supervisors
guides and instructors.
Characteristics and types of horses may include:
sport and recreational
size
age
health
tractability
absence of vices
temperament
training
experience.
Program and operational needs may include:
type of riding programs
riding experience, size and age of clients
length of sessions
activity locations
budget
group needs
number of supervisors
riding experience of supervisors.
Sources may include:
breeding and training programs
personal contacts
newspaper advertisement
internet
horse dealers.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Inappropriate behaviour patterns may include:
bolting
biting
rearing
bucking
kicking
shying
over-sensitivity:
propensity to fighting.
Appropriate courses of action may include:
persevering with the horse
removing the horse from the program
retraining the horse.
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:
applies knowledge of horse handling and behaviour to test horses before purchase
safely handles horses to assess their potential suitability to meet the needs of riding programs and clients and acquires them according to organisational policies and procedures
monitors the training progress of horses, decides on their suitability for riding programs and determines appropriate courses of action to deal with problem horses taking into consideration cost, benefit, safety and time issues
applies effective contingency management techniques to ensure horse's health and welfare at all times.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure the acquisition and monitoring of the progress of multiple horses to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a horse riding establishment
sources for the acquisition of horses
a real or simulated budget for purchasing horses
horses of varying physical conditions operating in a variety of roles and at various stages of training
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 potential suitability for riding programs and application of testing techniques
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of behaviour of horses and the effects of training and re-training
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:
SISOEQO409A Train and condition horses.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BBF42 SISOEQU015 Acquire and educate horses for sport or recreational programs Unit of competency