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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. Establish client needs and requirements for individual horses
   • Identify the intended outcomes of the starting or training process with the client
   • Confirm a timeframe for the starting or training of the horse
   • Negotiate a contract and financial arrangements with the owner of the horse
2. Conduct a pre-training assessment of the horse
   • Assess the health, condition and temperament of the horse
   • Negotiate horse feed, health and management requirements with the client
3. Determine safe work practices relevant to the handling of horses
   • Prepare a safe location appropriate for carrying out the intended activities
   • Select and use protective clothing and equipment according to safe work and industry practices
   • Conduct a risk assessment and safety check on the area and equipment prior to the activity commencing
   • Implement strategies to avoid or minimise risks relevant to horses and people
4. Apply a knowledge of equine behaviour to the handling of horses
   • Interpret the behaviour of horses undergoing training or handling and adapt actions according to training objectives
   • Apply knowledge of equine body language and senses to handling activities to minimise stress to horses and improve safety for handlers
   • Identify environmental factors that influence the behaviour of horses and modify program to take these factors into account
   • Identify and manage the behavioural signs and physiological effects of stress and the impact on horse responses to training
   • Recognise unwanted behaviours relevant to the riding and handling of horses and the contexts in which they may have developed
5. Develop a sequential program to develop obedience in a horse being re-educated
   • Assess the current level of training of the horse
   • Identify and evaluate unwanted behavioural problems the individual horse may have
   • Design a training plan to achieve training outcomes whilst eliminating unwanted responses or behaviours
   • Obtain advice from a range of equine professionals relevant to achieving training outcomes and avoiding or deleting unwanted behaviours
   • Select training equipment and processes, based on knowledge of their function and purpose, to assist in training the horse
6. Educate horses to riding
   • Apply awareness of the current mental and physical parameters of the horse to training activities
   • Apply current scientific information of equine cognition, ethology and learning abilities to training activities
   • Habituate horses to the tack and equipment required to achieve training outcomes
   • Train the horse to exercises or disciplines to achieve nominated training outcomes
   • Monitor horse health and nutritional requirements and adjust to match training requirements
   • Recognise and respond humanely to signs of fatigue or stress in horses undergoing training
   • Anticipate problem behaviours likely to arise from unforeseen or adverse reactions of horses, and implement a humane plan to eliminate or reduce such behaviours
   • Monitor, review and adapt the training schedule to meet training objectives
7. Report on the outcomes of the project to the client
   • Communicate with the client on the progress of the horse
   • Advise the client on the outcome of the training program
   • Recommend future management or training strategies to the client