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.
Senses of the horse may include:
physical senses:
eyesight
hearing
smell
taste
touch
sensitivity to changes in:
weather
behaviour of other horses, animals or humans
layout of equipment, property or surrounds.
Methods used by horses to communicate may include:
verbal
non-verbal means:
mouth and face
body postures, which might include ears back or kicking.
Indication of the level of education of the horse may include:
horse can be lead into position where farrier needs to work
horse will accept being restrained by head collar and lead
horse will accept having its feet handled and positioned for farrier procedures
horse will accept having its legs handled
horse will accept standing in position for required period of time with consideration of:
age
breed
horse's usual activity or purpose
size

Note: Horses presented for farriery services must be well-handled and confident to have their feet picked up and held in positions required by a farrier.
Nervous behaviours, common vices and horse behavioural problems may include:
nervous or defensive behaviours:
striking
kicking
biting
holding body in tension
shaking
pawing
pushing or barging
sweating
wanting to run away
behavioural problems:
weaving
attempting to sit down or lean on farrier
refusing to allow legs to be handled
refusing to hold legs off the ground
behaviour may vary to reflect:
eating disorders
inability to maintain concentration or lack of physical stamina to hold positions for required time
pain, discomfort or fear
temperament.
External factors that could influence horse behaviour may include:
external factors:
contact with particular individuals
distractions, such as dogs or other animals, unusual noises or items
herd hierarchy and presence or absence of other horses
weather, season or environment
the atmosphere and other activities occurring:
because of illness or injury
during competition or racing events
during sales preparation
in preparation for and during transport.
Features used to identify a horse may include:
age or category (e.g. foal or broodmare)
brands or tattoos
colour
head, leg and body markings
height
sex
wounds or permanent scars.
Gear required for catching, handling controlling and restraining horses may include:
catching:
head collar or halter and lead
catching yard
handling:
bagging down cloth
muzzles
controlled or restrained:
anti rearing bit
chemical sedatives prescribed by and administered under the supervision of a veterinarian
hobbles
leg ropes
twitches
personal protective equipment to be used by the farrier.

Note: The majority of horses are quiet, easily managed and require no restraint. Where restraint is required it must be the minimum necessary and should always be determined through consultation with the owner or responsible person.
A calm and reassuring climate may include:
minimising factors that may make the horse nervous or fearful, such as loud noises
maintaining a situation that is perceived to be hazard or threat-free by the horse
proceeding calmly and slowly
using a quiet and calm voice tone.
Appropriate manner need for horse to be caught, handled, controlled and restrained may include:
horse catching, handling, controlling and restraining methods must:
comply with industry codes of practice
comply with relevant legislation and regulations related to animal welfare and prevention of cruelty to animals
handling techniques will be selected with consideration of:
location of other persons and animals
variables that apply to the range of working environments where horses may be controlled, such as:
stables
tracks and event venues
yards
age and education of horse
location of vehicles, fences and equipment
variables that influence the behaviour of horses (e.g. wind and noise)
handling, control and restraint of horses:
feet are picked up using industry approved methods
head collars and leads are used for tying up horses safely
horses are released correctly into paddocks and yards
restraints are fitted only when required and for the shortest time period
monitoring and interpreting the horse's behaviour and traits
awareness of the horse's placement in relation to handler, other horses and hazards.
Team required to conduct the farriery service may include:
person to hold horse
assistant for younger, less experienced horses or horses with an identified problem
farrier.
Changes in horse behaviour may include:
horse may become nervous, frightened or agitated
horse may panic either because of external factors, such as noise, or because of pain and discomfort
horse may become tired and unable to maintain position.
OHS considerations may include:
alertness of the farrier and adoption of a position that is comfortable and balanced for the farrier
appropriate clothing, applicable to all members of the team
manual handling skills:
carrying
lifting
shifting
use of relevant personal protective equipment and other safety devices:
hair tied back
jewellery removed
leather apron
sun cream and head covering
work boots
wrist guards.
Considerations for providing farriery service humanely may include:
complying with relevant:
industry codes of practice
legislation and regulations concerned with:
animal welfare
the prevention of cruelty to animals.

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.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence 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. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
identify horse behaviour and level of education of a horse prior to handling
identify, catch and control horses in a safe and humane manner
perform farriery service in a safe and humane manner
use appropriate personal protective equipment and maintain safety of self and others in the workplace.

The skills and knowledge required to handle horses safely in the provision of farriery services must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in worksites, where routine farriery tasks are performed, or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to a range of horses of different temperaments, alone and in a group, in strange and familiar surroundings, and being subjected to standard and unusual treatments as well as the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.

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).