ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCECRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

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

1. Establish criteria for purchasing horses.

1.1. Evaluate available budget for purchasing horses.

1.2. Identify and assess program needs in consultation with appropriate personnel.

1.3. Identify characteristics and types of horses required to meet program and operational needs.

1.4. Schedule purchases to allow time for horse education before operational use.

1.5. Research horses available for sale from a range of sources.

1.6. Investigate history of horse use, education and behaviour and request relevant written reports.

2. Assess and buy horses.

2.1. Assess horses against identified program needs.

2.2. Test horses extensively prior to acquisition according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.3. Assess behaviour patterns of horses to confirm best fit with program needs.

2.4. Confirm health of animals according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.5. Purchase horses and complete appropriate documentation according to organisational procedures.

3. Assess education needs of horses and design program.

3.1. Identify required horse behaviour that meets identified program needs.

3.2. Identify unwanted and unsafe behaviour patterns of individual horses.

3.3. Assess individual education needs of horses in consultation with relevant personnel.

3.4. Design and document education program to ensure horse suitability for program and safety of clients.

4. Educate horses for sport or recreational activities.

4.1. Use safe practices and follow organisational safety and emergency response procedures throughout activities to avoid injury to self, others and horse.

4.2. Implement education techniques suitable to equine cognition, learning ability and natural behaviour.

4.3. Habituate horses to tack and equipment used in program.

4.4. Habituate horses to respond to a range of handlers and riders with different skill levels and characteristics.

4.5. Acclimatise horses to the range of environments where activities are offered.

4.6. Educate horses to negotiate the variety of terrain and obstacles covered by program.

4.7. Educate horses to program specific activities, exercises or disciplines.

4.8. Use practices, according to animal welfare guidelines, to minimise or eliminate unwanted and unsafe behaviours.

5. Evaluate horse education.

5.1. Evaluate and record progress or continuing issues throughout all phases of education program, according to organisational procedures.

5.2. Adjust education regime or discontinue horse education as required.

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 complex and sometimes unfamiliar documents which can include:

organisational policies and procedures

purchase agreements and horse reports.

Writing skills to:

develop and document complex horse education programs

record detailed information describing horse progress to desired behaviour.

Planning and organising skills to:

manage own timing and productivity to source and acquire horses, test and educate them to meet organisational program schedules.

Self-management skills to:

take responsibility for horse selection and education from initial research through to presentation of horse which matches operational and program needs.