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, 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.
Booking of farrier services for a race meeting will include:
clarifying starting time with farrier supervisor
confirming location of farrier shop
confirming numbers of horses to be plated or re-shod
organising race meeting pass and parking with race club administration.
Other equipment will include:
apron and hand tools
plates, tips and small nails suitable for race meetings
mobile phone
safety equipment, including:
eye protection
gloves
sun hat
sunscreen
work boots
work sheets or laptop for recording tasks.
Rules of racing will relate to:
harness or thoroughbred races
inspection of horses
specific limitations on shoes to be fitted or materials to be used, including:
restricted use of vertical bars and steel inserts or 'cutting plates'
plates for steeple chasers
size of nails
weight and size of plates or tips
stewards' powers.
Hazards associated with handling and shoeing horses may include:
changes to horse behaviour, including:
agitation and sweating up
biting
charging forward
kicking
pulling back or sideways
rearing
reluctant to move forward
turning in circles
other factors which may alter horse behaviour, including:
horse location and confined spaces, for example:
behind barriers
mounting enclosure
stall
crowd noise and other loud noises
inclement weather conditions, including:
extreme heat
wind
other horses
pre and post-race activity.
Risks may be controlled by:
adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices
adhering to rules of racing and rules of the race venue
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 work practices when providing farrier services, including:
applying correct manual handling techniques
approaching horse from near side
avoiding sudden movement
speaking calmly to horse
undoing cross ties and strapper holding horse before horse is plated in stalls
using anti-rearing bit or bridle headpiece with bit, with double clip lead when heading horses at race meetings
using well-maintained and safe gear
wearing personal protective equipment
following accident and injury procedures
identifying and reporting unsafe work practices
identifying emergency situations
understanding individual horse behaviour.
Options for treatment or adjustment that comply with rules of racing may include:
liaising with veterinarian and/or stewards
scope of treatment or adjustment fitting within race meeting context.
Relevant parties may include:
driver or jockey
owner
steward
trainer.
Wellbeing of the horse may include:
adhering to relevant codes of practice, which may include other professionals such as a veterinary surgeon
adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare
remaining calm and applying common and safe horse handling techniques.
Emergency status may include:
nail pricks
shifted, sprung or twisted plates.
Reports are provided to stewards:
courteously, efficiently and promptly
maintaining confidentiality and discretion
using correct forms of greeting
via verbal and/or written communication, including:
describing actions
giving and receiving clear, accurate and simple messages
listening to and interpreting information and instructions
written reports may include simple documents and notes.

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 performing the duties of a farrier at race meetings or trials
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of farrier duties
working with others to undertake and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of racehorses of different ages and sexes, in race meeting and trial 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 perform farrier duties at race meetings
safe handling areas, such as racetracks including registered race meetings and trials
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.
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.
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.
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).