Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to perform stable duties. Workplaces include harness or thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Racing stable operations may include:
catching and tying up horses
cleaning boxes
cleaning drains
cleaning waterers, buckets and feedbins
cleaning grooming equipment
grooming horses
following instructions regarding order of operations
hosing horses
identifying and adapting to changes to routine in morning and afternoon shifts and when horses are racing or trialling
moving horses from boxes to saddling bays
preparing and providing feed and water
picking out hooves
replacing bedding
rolling horses
starting walking machines
sweeping feed rooms
sweeping or raking yards
walking horses pre and post-exercise.
Stable environment may include:
barns
boxes
courtyards
hosing docks
round yards
saddling bays
sand rolls
stables
walking areas
walking machines
yards.
Hazards in the workplace may include:
chemicals
heavy loads, for example bags of feed
horses
machinery and equipment
other people
unsafe work practices.
Feed and water preparation will include:
applying rules of cleanliness and hygiene
reading feed preparation lists
providing correct mix and quantity of feed to individual horses in line with factors that affect feeding regimes, including:
age and gender of horse
individual taste
level of work and racing status
metabolism
reporting contaminated feed.
Feed may be contaminated due to:
mould or water damage
rodent or other spoilage.
Contaminated feed must be reported :
promptly to nominated stable person to avoid dangers of feeding contaminated feed, including:
botulism
colic.
Feed additives may include:
bicarbonate of soda
common salt
Epsom salts
electrolytes
minerals
vitamins.
Consequences of incorrect use of additives may include:
accidental introduction of banned substances through use of additives and combinations of additives
some additives alkalise the blood level in performance horses (total carbon dioxide level [TCO2]), with alkalising agents including:
bicarbonates
lactates and citrates.
Horses may be positioned and tied up :
in a safe area, for example:
box
free from other horses and equipment, such as wheelbarrows
saddling bay
yard
ensuring immediate tying-up area is free from projections or rough edges which may mark the horse or catch on the head collar
using head collar and lead
removing bit and bridle if returning from exercise
if cross-tied, ensuring chains are encased in rubber
if tied to post ring, using baling twine to secure lead
using quick release knot.
Horses are groomed :
pre-exercise grooming, depending upon individual stable routine and climate, includes:
brushing mane and tidying tail
checking legs for injury or swelling and removing mud or dirt
ensuring head, girth and saddle regions are free from mud and sweat
picking out hooves and checking shoes
post-exercise grooming, depending upon individual stable routine and climate, includes:
rolling horse
removing sand
hosing, for example:
trace high or full body, using care with head
scraping horse
towelling horse and keeping hindquarters warm
checking legs for injury or swelling
nostrils and eyes cleansed
dock and sheath cleansed
body groomed
brushing mane and tidying tail
mane pulling as required and directed
picking out and dressing hooves and checking shoes.
Illness or injury horses may suffer include:
back soreness
colic
coughs or colds
epistaxis
exertional rhabdomyolosis (tying up)
shin soreness
tendon or ligament sprains
thrush
viruses
wounds, such as puncture wounds.
Signs observed indicating healthy or unhealthy horse may include:
bleeding
colic
discharges
favouring legs
hot or cold body parts, for example:
ears
legs
inappetence, including fluid intake
irregular temperature and respiration rates
listlessness
sweating
swelling.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when performing stable duties
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of stable duties
working with others to undertake and complete stable duties that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of racehorses of different ages and sexes, and at different stages of preparation in racing stable and track environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.
Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.
The following resources must be available:
a variety of harness or thoroughbred horses
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform stable duties
safe handling areas, such as racing stables and yards
work instructions and related documentation.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.
The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.
Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
RGRCMN201A Follow OHS procedures and observe environmental work practices
RGRPSH201A Handle horses.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).