Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to care for performance horses on a daily basis. It involves grooming, clipping, rugging, feeding, basic turnout and addressing potential risks associated with working with and around horses.
The unit applies to individuals who work in performance horse industry sectors caring for performance horses that are in work and housed within a stabled or paddocked setting. They carry out work under minimal supervision within industry guidelines and may include responsibility for highly valuable animals.
No occupational licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
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. Maintain accommodation for performance horses | 1.1 Determine the requirements of animal housing to meet environmental, security, physical and emotional needs of individual animals 1.2 Identify hazards, carry out a risk assessment and take steps to minimise risk to ensure safety of self, horse and others 1.3 Clean stables and yards, ensuring bedding is replaced and stable equipment is checked, maintained and stored according to workplace procedures 1.4 Maintain a safe environment and housing for horses consistent with work health and safety (WHS) and animal welfare legislation and guidelines 1.5 Maintain records according to workplace requirements and industry codes of practice |
2. Groom and rug a horse | 2.1 Select, use and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) 2.2 Identify WHS standards, assess risks and implement suitable controls while handling horses 2.3 Wash and groom horses according to industry practices and workplace requirements 2.4 Fit and remove rugs and rug accessories according to the requirements of the individual horse |
3. Clip a horse | 3.1 Select and prepare clipping equipment 3.2 Prepare horse for clipping, ensuring minimal stress and discomfort 3.3 Clip horse according to instructions and safe work practices, under supervision 3.4 Clean equipment during and after clipping procedure, and store according to workplace requirements |
4. Prepare horses for work | 4.1 Select and prepare horses for work according to stable roster 4.2 Identify and select horses by individual characteristics 4.3 Select correct working gear and check for wear and suitability 4.4 Fit working gear to horses safely 4.5 Care for horses after work according to industry practices and workplace requirements 4.6 Remove and clean working gear, report and action necessary repairs |
5. Monitor and maintain a horse feeding program | 5.1 Record and report variations to individual horse eating and drinking patterns 5.2 Monitor and report condition of horses 5.3 Prepare and distribute feed and feed supplements in line with feeding plan 5.4 Maintain and clean food storage areas and water supply, and keep free of contaminants 5.5 Adjust feeding practices, under supervision, to ensure horses are eating effectively and safely 5.6 Monitor and adjust feeding practices to ensure handler safety is maintained |
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 |
Reading | Interpret textual information in workplace procedures, forms and work health and safety standards Interpret key information in labels and instructions relating to performance horse care |
Numeracy | Measure quantities and ratios relating to feeding and caring for performance horses |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for adherence to workplace safety, animal welfare, sustainability and biosecurity requirements relating to area of responsibility and own role |
Interact with others | Follow accepted practices and protocols for reporting information |
Get the work done | Plan resources and schedule tasks to care for performance horses under broad direction, taking responsibility for own work Use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources, and resolve predictable problems relating to the care of performance horses |
Sectors
Performance Horse (PHR)