Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to fit, shape and assemble saddle components, including fitting a saddle tree.
Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities. Work is performed within industry codes, standards and defined procedures.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Determine job requirements | 1.1 | Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
1.2 | Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times | ||
1.3 | Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs | ||
1.4 | Identify job requirements from customer requirements, specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions | ||
2 | Interpret shaping and fitting requirements | 2.1 | Gather and record information about customer requirements for fitting and shaping |
2.2 | Identify saddle tree requirements | ||
2.3 | Identify fitting and shaping requirements | ||
2.4 | Identify attachments and additional features | ||
2.5 | Identify and document ordering requirements for saddle tree or associated materials and equipment | ||
2.6 | Document and check all identified requirements against original customer requirements, and place any required orders | ||
3 | Prepare to fit and assemble saddle | 3.1 | Identify all assembly tasks |
3.2 | Obtain, modify or construct saddle tree to meet customer requirements | ||
3.3 | Prepare materials and equipment for saddle assembly | ||
3.4 | Identify and prepare saddle components | ||
3.5 | Set up work area in accordance with task requirements and workplace procedures | ||
4 | Fit and assemble saddle | 4.1 | Check saddle tree for quality and against horse dimensions and undertake further fitting consultation with client or supervisor, if required |
4.2 | Apply saddle pieces and padding onto tree | ||
4.3 | Fix padding into position and join saddle pieces | ||
4.4 | Fix attachments and additional features into position | ||
4.5 | Dry shaped saddle | ||
5 | Complete saddle assembly | 5.1 | Check assembly of saddle to ensure requirements are met and undertake further consultation with client or supervisor, if required |
5.2 | Check saddle for quality and correct assembly and address any defects and make modifications, as required | ||
5.3 | Review saddle assembly with customer or supervisor to ensure requirements are met | ||
5.4 | Finalise assembly and housekeeping | ||
5.5 | Complete all required documentation | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include:
reading and following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safe work practices, industry codes and standards
interpreting and applying saddle specifications from customer requirements
identifying faults and quality of leather
obtaining or modifying mould for shaping
using saddlery tools and equipment and undertaking assembly techniques to assemble at least two (2) saddle components
fixing padding into position and joining saddle pieces
fixing additional attachments and features into position
checking saddle for quality and correct assembly, addressing any defects and making modifications as needed
maintaining accurate records.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
relevant Australian Standards
features and purposes of different types of saddles
fitting and shaping requirements for different horse breeds and riding requirements
meaning of terms used in the fitting and shaping of saddles
horse anatomy, as relevant to saddle fitting
saddle components, attachments and common additional features
attachments:
plates
rings
ties
stirrups
saddle trees, their materials and how they are made and adjusted
work area set-up for saddle assembly
assembly tasks:
obtaining, making and adjusting the saddle tree
marking
stitching
adding attachments
padding
shaping
fitting of saddle horn, bridle and rings
polishing
creasing
staining
finishing
leather performance and handling requirements
methods for examining saddles for faults and quality
tools and equipment for making saddlery products
materials and equipment:
mould or stand
drying or curing equipment
wetting agents
stitching tools
threads
padding
measuring tape
assembly instructions or specifications
stitching techniques and equipment
attachments used in saddlery
padding materials and procedures for applying
quality standards of the enterprise and the industry
work health and safety (WHS) and environmental aspects of relevant processes
relevant federal and state or territory legislative or regulatory requirements
required documentation:
shaping procedure/modifications applied
adjustments
customer order information
recording and reporting procedures.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment, as set by the VET regulator
have vocational competency in assembling saddle components, at least to the level being assessed, with relevant industry knowledge and experience.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Workplace procedures include one or more of the following: | requirements prescribed by legislation, industry codes and standards, awards, agreements and conditions of employment SOPs work instructions oral, written and visual communication PPE quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output housekeeping tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling WHS practices |
Australian Standards include: | the relevant industry or Australian Standards that are current at the time this unit is being undertaken |
Information requirements include one or more of the following: | breed and size of horse for saddle physical characteristics of horse (e.g. high-withered, short-backed and flat-backed) horse riding tasks (e.g. cutting, racing and working) weight requirements padding requirements |
Additional features include one or more of the following: | desired leather stain decorative elements accessories dyeing stamping lacing |
Preparation includes one or more of the following: | cleaning checking for foreign objects sharpening (tools) checking for faults or damage |
Checking saddle tree includes the following: | making sure the gullet is clear of the horse's backbone checking the tree is soundly constructed checking the tree is of suitable composition and weight for the intended purpose checking the tree is aligned to specified swell and canter |
WHS practices | WHS practices must include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit, and include one or more of the following: manual handling techniques PPE safe materials handling ergonomic arrangement of workplaces following marked walkways safe storage of equipment housekeeping reporting accidents and incidents other WHS practices relevant to the job and enterprise |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Leather production