ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCECRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Plan instructional sessions.

1.1. Determine objectives of individual sessions to allow progression of skills within overall learning program.

1.2. Identify and evaluate participant needs, characteristics and current horse handling skills.

1.3. Develop session plans to include appropriate activities for learner requirements and stage of skills acquisition.

1.4. Identify suitable environment, horses and equipment for handling session.

1.5. Complete session specific risk assessment and determine safety, emergency response and first aid procedures.

2. Prepare for session.

2.1. Set up area for activities and complete safety checks on environment.

2.2. Select horses of suitable history, size and temperament to match participant capabilities.

2.3. Select gear and equipment to match handling activities, and check it is in safe working condition.

2.4. Confirm participants have clothing and footwear appropriate for handling session

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and information about session in a manner appropriate to participants.

3.2. Encourage participants to ask questions and seek advice before and during session.

3.3. Inform participants of known and anticipated risks, safety procedures, safe behaviour, safe areas and boundaries.

3.4. Advise participants of communication protocols to use during activities.

4. Instruct horse handling sessions.

4.1. Implement teaching and coaching techniques to impart skills and knowledge for handling techniques.

4.2. Provide clear and accurate exercise instructions and horse handling demonstrations throughout the session.

4.3. Facilitate effective group communication and interaction to maintain group control, engagement and safety.

4.4. Observe and monitor participant performance of handling techniques and provide corrective instruction.

4.5. Monitor participant adherence to safety procedures and assertively correct breaches.

4.6. Monitor horse behaviour and interaction and promptly control aggressive, misbehaved and frightened horses.

4.7. Supervise safe departure of participants from horse enclosure.

5. Evaluate the session.

5.1. Debrief and encourage participants to identify personal skill progression and satisfaction with session.

5.2. Provide feedback on techniques and adherence to safety requirements.

5.3. Self-evaluate session against learning objectives and identify areas for future improvement.

Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement.

SKILLS

DESCRIPTION

Reading skills to:

interpret detailed familiar organisational safety, emergency response and first aid procedures.

Writing skills to:

prepare detailed session plans incorporating correct terminology and jargon for the activities

use fundamental sentence structure to complete safety checklists that require factual information.

Oral communication skills to:

provide clear and unambiguous instructions to learners using language and terms easily understood by novice handlers

ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to determine learners’ understanding of handling techniques.

Planning and organising skills to:

manage own timing and that of participants to complete instructional sessions within organisational service times.