Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to work with well-educated, calm, consistent and compliant horses to clean and maintain the stable environment, feed and water horses, identify and use basic grooming equipment, and recognise signs of healthy and unhealthy horses as well as common illnesses and injuries in horses.
The unit applies to individuals who carry out basic, routine stable duties under supervision in the racing industry harness or thoroughbred codes.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, in accordance with applicable state/territory animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislative requirements.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit. Users are advised to check with the relevant Principal Racing Authority (PRA) for current 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. Perform basic stable maintenance duties | 1.1 Identify and maintain stable facilities according to stable routine 1.2 Select stable and yard cleaning equipment, including personal protective equipment, according to task 1.3 Clean bedding and box following stable procedures 1.4 Identify workplace hazards and report to stable supervisor |
2. Feed and water horses | 2.1 Identify and assess quality of common feeds, and report contaminated feed to stable supervisor 2.2 Prepare feed and water for stable and/or yard 2.3 Provide feed in a safe manner, following safe horse handling and stable procedures |
3. Apply basic grooming practices | 3.1 Identify types and functions of grooming equipment items and select for specific grooming purpose 3.2 Tie up horses and groom according to instructions, using safe horse handling techniques 3.3 Check horses for external parasites, fungi, injuries and other abnormalities and report to supervisor according to stable procedures 3.4 Clean grooming equipment after use according to workplace practices |
4. Contribute to monitoring health and welfare of horses | 4.1 Apply principles of animal welfare when working with horses 4.2 Observe and identify signs of healthy and unhealthy horses 4.3 Identify and report signs of common illnesses and injuries in horses according to workplace practices |
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 signage and key information in stable routines |
Numeracy | Measure quantities of feed accurately |
Oral communication | Use active listening and questioning skills to clarify and confirm supervisor instructions |
Navigate the world of work | Follow stable procedures and industry requirements relating to safety and animal welfare |
Interact with others | Cooperate and support others in the performance of basic stable duties |
Get the work done | Follow instructions and safe operating procedures to complete duties in designated timeframes |
Sectors
Performance services horse (PSH)