Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to educate a horse to pull a load and be driven for an intended purpose. The unit applies to all classes of horses and can be customised for other domestic equids.
The unit applies to individuals with considerable experience and skills in horse handling and driving who have responsibility for educating horses for a range of driving purposes. They work independently within organisational guidelines, deal with predictable and unpredictable situations, and apply problem-solving skills to achieve outcomes.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
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 educate a horse to driving | 1.1 Assess current level of education, health status and behaviour of the horse 1.2 Confirm client needs and requirements and develop education plan for individual horse 1.3 Prepare safe, secure and controlled facilities and environment to conduct each stage of the education program 1.4 Identify hazards and control potential risks to safety of handler/s and horse/s 1.5 Select and correctly fit personal protective equipment (PPE) 1.6 Determine if the assistance of another handler is required based on risk assessment of the horse |
2. Mouth the horse | 2.1 Select appropriate tack to suit horse 2.2 Familiarise horse with tack in preparation for driving 2.3 Apply selected tack correctly to ensure comfort and fit 2.4 Mouth the horse and educate to respond to long-reining, directional aids and communication cues |
3. Educate horse for driving | 3.1 Introduce the horse to specific equipment and tack required for intended purpose according to education plan 3.2 Attach harnessed horse to cart or objects to drag safely, ensuring correct fit 3.3 Develop horse confidence in tasks using appropriate education techniques to ensure horse welfare at all times 3.4 Recognise and respond appropriately to signs of stress or fatigue in horse being educated |
4. Consolidate horse education | 4.1 Accustom horse to be driven at different paces and respond to the driver's cues 4.2 Expose and familiarise horse to a range of appropriate environments after assessing potential risks to self, others and horse 4.3 Build horse confidence and reinforce level of education required for intended driving purpose |
5. Apply reward-based horse education methodology | 5.1 Apply education techniques consistently to reinforce horse learning 5.2 Recognise and apply positive reinforcement to the horse for progress towards desired behaviours 5.3 Use appropriate techniques to manage behaviour and performance according to current equine learning theory and to ensure wellbeing of the horse 5.4 Assess horse acceptance of education for client's needs, and provide feedback |
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 |
Learning | Actively source current, evidence-based information on equine education and learning theory to determine own education practices |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for complying with regulatory and workplace requirements, including health and safety and animal welfare, within own role and area of work Follow safe, ethical and humane horse handling industry practices |
Interact with others | Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with others to plan programs and report on horse performance and progress |
Get the work done | Analyse problems and risks, devise solutions and reflect on approaches taken |
Sectors
Equine (EQU)