Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to direct, assist and oversee others to identify and safely catch, control and handle horses.
The unit applies to individuals who have experience handling horses and who work under broad direction, using both practical skills and specialised knowledge of safe horse handling techniques, within the harness or thoroughbred racing industry 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. Prepare others for handling horses | 1.1 Determine competence of other workers with regard to handling individual horses 1.2 Follow workplace health and safety practices for matching the skills and experience of handlers to task and horses 1.3 Explain and demonstrate use of personal protective equipment and different gear to control and handle horses 1.4 Provide opportunities for practice and skill development for inexperienced staff according to workplace training processes |
2. Direct, assist and oversee others to identify and safely catch, control and handle horses | 2.1 Assess hazards and potential risks to self, others and the horse in catching and handling horses, and take steps to minimise 2.2 Delegate tasks according to current competence and animal and staff welfare 2.3 Direct others regarding catching, controlling and general handling of horses according to stable procedures 2.4 Provide assistance to others in identifying and handling horses |
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 | Keep own skills and knowledge up-to-date by supervising and assessing the skills of others |
Oral communication | Give clear instructions and feedback about safe horse handling techniques and procedures |
Navigate the world of work | Take responsibility for adherence to workplace procedures, including work health and safety and animal welfare requirements, associated with own role and area of work Take responsibility for decisions about delegating and supervising others in horse handling activities |
Get the work done | Plan, organise and monitor safe horse catching and handling activities, taking risk factors into consideration Make decisions quickly and intuitively if problems with safety occur |
Sectors
Performance services horse (PSH)