Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to relate the principles of education and conditioning to the fitness and skill requirements of racehorses; monitor and report horse responses to the program; action trainer exercise programs; and comply with rules of racing and animal welfare responsibilities and related protocols.
The unit applies to individuals who are experienced in caring for, handling and working with horses in the harness or thoroughbred codes of the racing industry.
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. Determine fitness to race requirements for racehorses | 1.1 Profile fitness and health of individual horses following consultation with with veterinary practitioner where necessary 1.2 Investigate and implement methods to evaluate performance 1.3 Determine indicators of poor adaptation to training program 1.4 Evaluate factors affecting performance for individual horses |
2. Implement training program | 2.1 Determine stages of training programs for individual horses 2.2 Evaluate methods used to condition horses 2.3 Use industry standard terminology and clarify individual trainer instructions 2.4 Interpret daily, weekly and longer-term conditioning and education plans over duration of horse preparation 2.5 Record information on a daily training plan according to individual responsibility |
3. Review horse performance | 3.1 Report trackwork, and trial or race performance, and compare results with current fitness, behaviour and temperament, preferred distance and track conditions 3.2 Report status of horse post-exercise, trial or race 3.3 Update performance records and record changes in behaviour and recovery rate 3.4 Evaluate methods and equipment used to improve performance 3.5 Evaluate methods used to manage individual horse temperament and behaviour |
4. Review race performance | 4.1 Assess horse recovery after exercise 4.2 Assess horse form and race performance 4.3 Prepare future race and training plans based on previous horse form and performance goals |
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 | Locate and interpret key information in workplace documentation, relevant rules of racing and individual horse records |
Navigate the world of work | Follow safe, ethical and humane horse handling industry practices associated with own role |
Interact with others | Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with others to implement exercise programs and evaluate horse performance and progress |
Get the work done | Plan and sequence strategies for horse exercise programs; monitoring progress and adjusting activities to achieve outcomes in consultation with trainer Analyse problems, recommend solutions and reflect on approaches taken to manage individual horse performance |
Sectors
Performance services horse (PSH)