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 trackwork. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Horses may be worked by:
jogging machines or vehicles (harness)
paddock exercise
swimming
trackwork, including:
fast work
slow work
treadmills
walking machines.
Verifying horses to be worked may include:
asking questions
checking worksheets against stall numbers
identifying individual horse features.
Approved working gear may include:
gear that is approved by the state or territory regulatory racing body for use in trackwork
general horse gear:
anti-rearing bits
bandages
blinkers
double clip leads
floating boots
nosebands
pacifiers
shadow rolls
tongue ties
winkers
harness-specific gear:
bridles
bits
driving boots
head checks
hopples
hopple shorteners
lugging poles
jog vehicles
pull up blinds
reins
removable deafeners
removable hoods
saddles
shoes
sulkies
thoroughbred-specific gear:
breastplates
bridles
bits
girths
reins
rings
saddles
shoes
stirrup irons and leathers
surcingles
working boots.
Factors to consider when horsesare handled 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
considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:
fences and equipment
other persons or animals
vehicles
wind and noise
checking for injury
cooling horses down by walking in hand
fitting rugs and gear
holding horses for riders
hosing, scraping and towelling horses
identifying common hazards, which may include:
gear, machinery and equipment
other horses
other people, including employees
physical environment
unsafe work practices
leading horses into and from tie-up
legging up riders
practising safe work procedures
rolling horses
tying up horses
walking person to person
warming horses up by walking in hand, or by placing on treadmill or walking machine.
Rules and protocols may include:
council regulations, for example:
swimming horses
leading horses at the track with bits and double clip leads
local track rules and regulations
road rules, for example:
crossing roads leading horses
rules of racing, including:
animal welfare principles
drugs and alcohol
personal protective equipment.
Factors relevant when horses are prepared for work include:
checking feed and water intake
checking manure quality and quantity
checking disposition of horse
checking for injury
checking gear for wear and damage
following stable procedures
grooming to instructions, for example:
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 and fitting gear as directed
warming-up horses.
Procedures followed when gear is checked and cleaned may include:
checking gear for:
breakage
gear loss on track
signs of wear and damage, including:
cracked leather or PVC
frayed leads, girths and surcingles
rusted bits, buckles and clips
splits and rough edges which may cause discomfort to horses
disassembling and reassembling all tack
infection control practices in care, cleaning and use of gear
regular cleaning and maintenance program.
Stable procedures for post-work care of horses may include:
cooling horses down
checking for injuries
grooming horses
reporting injuries
rolling, hosing, scraping and towelling horses
rugging horses
walking or floating from track.
Irregularities with horse may include:
epistaxis
exertional rhabdomyolosis (tying up)
injury
loose shoes
reports from rider indicating irregularities while working, for example:
roaring
soreness
slow recovery rate.

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 attending horses at trackwork
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for safe, effective and efficient attendance of horses at trackwork
working with others to undertake and complete duties that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of racehorses of different ages and sexes, and at different stages of preparation 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 or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. 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 trackwork
safe handling areas, such as racing stables and training or 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, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.
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
RGRPSH207A Perform stable duties.
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).