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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare to educate a horse to be ridden
   • Assess current level of education, health status and behaviour of the horse
   • Confirm and document client needs and requirements, and develop education plan for individual horse
   • Prepare safe, secure and controlled facilities to conduct each stage of the education program
   • Conduct risk assessment, address identified hazards, and control potential risks to safety of handler/s and horse/s
   • Select and correctly fit personal protective equipment (PPE)
   • Determine if the assistance of another handler is required based on risk assessment
2. Mouth the horse
   • Select appropriate tack to suit horse, including bit, bridle, saddle cloth and saddle
   • Familiarise horse with tack in preparation to mount and ride
   • Apply selected tack correctly to ensure comfort and fit
   • Mouth the horse and educate to respond to aids and cues
3. Start horse under saddle
   • Prepare the horse to be mounted and introduce weight to the horse's back
   • Mount the horse and introduce leg pressure, aids and voice cues to influence forward movement, direction, flexion, bend and halt/stop
   • Build up time in saddle, emphasising changes in direction and transitions, in a controlled and safe environment
   • Recognise and respond appropriately to signs of stress and fatigue in horses undergoing education
   • Adjust individual horse's program according to level of fitness
   • Untack the horse and cool down at end of sessions and assess health condition
4. Consolidate horse education
   • Accustom the horse to be ridden at different paces, emphasising tempo and rhythm, and willingness to respond to cues
   • Expose and familiarise the horse to a range of appropriate environments after assessing potential risks to self, others and horse
   • Build horse confidence and reinforce education required for intended riding purpose
   • Accustom horse to be ridden with other horses in close proximity
5. Apply reward-based horse education methodology
   • Apply education techniques consistently to reinforce horse learning
   • Recognise and apply positive reinforcement to the horse for progress towards desired behaviours
   • Use appropriate techniques to manage behaviour and performance according to current equine learning theory and to ensure wellbeing of the horse
   • Assess horse acceptance of education for client's needs, and provide feedback