Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to educate a horse for lungeing exercise by introducing techniques, routines and gear, and voice commands and signals used to control and direct a horse to lunge calmly. It includes understanding the potential risks associated with interacting with horses, and the application of industry guidelines and procedures to ensure the welfare and safety of the individual and the horse.
The unit applies to individuals who have moderate experience in handling horses to be able to lunge a suitably educated, compliant and manageable horse in working environments that include round yards and fenced exercise arenas in a broad range of horse industry sectors. They undertake work in a range of known contexts; work under broad direction; take responsibility for own work, and use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
No licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, except for the racing industry, where requirements vary between states and territories. Users working in the racing industry are advised to contact the relevant Principal Racing Authority for advice on current requirements.
Work health and safety and animal welfare legislation relevant to interacting with horses applies to workers in this industry. Requirements vary between industry sectors and state/territory jurisdictions. Users are advised to check with the relevant authority for specific requirements.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to lunge horse | 1.1 Identify and assess risks associated with lungeing horses, including horse behaviour and environmental hazards and risks 1.2 Select methods and techniques for introducing inexperienced horses to lungeing 1.3 Assess suitability of horses to be trained to lunge relevant to handler skill, and discuss with supervisor 1.4 Select appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure correct fit 1.5 Select and check lungeing equipment and fit working gear to horse according to supervisor instructions 1.6 Select suitable lungeing area and report any hazards or risks beyond own control to supervisor prior to commencing lungeing activities |
2. Lunge a horse | 2.1 Apply knowledge of horse behaviour to introduce lungeing to inexperienced horses 2.2 Introduce horse to lungeing exercise using safe techniques according to supervisor instructions 2.3 Maintain safe lungeing position 2.4 Use clear and appropriate lungeing cues with horse 2.5 Use safe lungeing progression in walk, trot and canter in both directions 2.6 Monitor horse health and welfare during lungeing, ceasing lungeing activity and reporting abnormalities to supervisor |
3. Care for horse after lungeing | 3.1 Cool horse down after exercise according to supervisor instructions 3.2 Remove, clean and check lungeing gear for signs of wear or damage 3.3 Report irregularities with horse or gear to supervisor |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Oral communication | Use clear language, correct concepts and industry terminology to ensure clarity of meaning when reporting information and requesting assistance with lungeing activities |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for following workplace procedures, including safe work, safe horse handling practices, and animal welfare requirements, in own role and work area |
Get the work done | Assemble equipment and plan and sequence lungeing activities, taking safety and risk factors into consideration Provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable problems associated with introducing horses to lungeing |
Sectors
Equine (EQU)