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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Establish criteria for purchasing horses.
   • Evaluate available budget for purchasing horses.
   • Identify and assess program needs in consultation with appropriate personnel.
   • Identify characteristics and types of horses required to meet program and operational needs.
   • Schedule purchases to allow time for horse education before operational use.
   • Research horses available for sale from a range of sources.
   • Investigate history of horse use, education and behaviour and request relevant written reports.
2. Assess and buy horses.
   • Assess horses against identified program needs.
   • Test horses extensively prior to acquisition according to organisational policies and procedures.
   • Assess behaviour patterns of horses to confirm best fit with program needs.
   • Confirm health of animals according to organisational policies and procedures.
   • Purchase horses and complete appropriate documentation according to organisational procedures.
3. Assess education needs of horses and design program.
   • Identify required horse behaviour that meets identified program needs.
   • Identify unwanted and unsafe behaviour patterns of individual horses.
   • Assess individual education needs of horses in consultation with relevant personnel.
   • Design and document education program to ensure horse suitability for program and safety of clients.
4. Educate horses for sport or recreational activities.
   • Use safe practices and follow organisational safety and emergency response procedures throughout activities to avoid injury to self, others and horse.
   • Implement education techniques suitable to equine cognition, learning ability and natural behaviour.
   • Habituate horses to tack and equipment used in program.
   • Habituate horses to respond to a range of handlers and riders with different skill levels and characteristics.
   • Acclimatise horses to the range of environments where activities are offered.
   • Educate horses to negotiate the variety of terrain and obstacles covered by program.
   • Educate horses to program specific activities, exercises or disciplines.
   • Use practices, according to animal welfare guidelines, to minimise or eliminate unwanted and unsafe behaviours.
5. Evaluate horse education.
   • Evaluate and record progress or continuing issues throughout all phases of education program, according to organisational procedures.
   • Adjust education regime or discontinue horse education as required.