Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 11:49 AM AWST

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Guide day horse trail rides in tracked areas

Guide day horse trail rides in tracked areas

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOEQO306A
State Code
D6367
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
28/11/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
13/10/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide or lead clients on day rides in tracked or easy untracked areas. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to guide a group through a day riding activity.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan a day ride.
  • 1.1. Establish participant's needs and characteristics and assist with participant's disclaimer where required.
  • 1.2. Develop an activity plan, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures, to meet participants' needs.
  • 1.3. Select trail ride route suitable for participants and identify rest stops to minimise impact on the terrain and other trail users according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.4. Identify hazards associated with the ride and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
  • 1.5. Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan.
  • 1.6. Determine food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues of the activity.
  • 1.7. Inform appropriate authorities of route and anticipated times before commencing the ride.
2. Select equipment for the ride.
  • 2.1. Select horses of suitable size and temperament to suit individual rider's needs, abilities and attitude.
  • 2.2. Select equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.3. Perform and document appropriate safety checks suitable for the ride, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.4. Adjust and fit equipment to ensure personal comfort.
  • 2.5. Pack saddle bags to ensure they are balanced and comfortable for the horse.
3. Brief participants.
  • 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the ride in a manner suitable to the participants.
  • 3.2. Demonstrate correct horse handling and riding techniques.
  • 3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use during the ride.
  • 3.4. Outline safety procedures and safe areas and or boundaries for the activity.
  • 3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the ride.
  • 3.6. Check participants can apply simple aids to horses to control their direction and speed
  • 3.7. Check that the combinations of horses and riders are appropriate for the planned ride
4. Lead a day ride.
  • 4.1. Provide clear and concise direction and advice to group during the ride.
  • 4.2. Monitor riding conditions and techniques to ensure a safe environment.
  • 4.3. Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.
  • 4.4. Implement appropriate modifications to activity in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
  • 4.5. Lead both mounted and unmounted horses from horseback.
  • 4.6. Respond appropriately to any emergency or situation.
5. Select a temporary site for short stops.
  • 5.1. Assess and select suitable sites to minimise impact on the local environment.
  • 5.2. Explain relevant minimum impact practices to group and monitor their compliance.
  • 5.3. Return site to an equal or greater standard on departure.
6. Complete post trip responsibilities.
  • 6.1. Notify relevant authority of trip completion.
  • 6.2. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 6.3. Check and deal with injuries or wear to horses according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 6.4. Evaluate relevant aspects of riding activity.
  • 6.5. Identify potential areas of improvement for future trail horse riding activities
  • 6.6. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.
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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Participant's needs and characteristics may include:
skill level
previous experience
fitness level, emotional and physical capabilities
age
injuries and illnesses
condition on the day of the trip
size of the horse.
Plan may include:
ride's aims and objectives
date, time and duration of ride
location, planned route and or destination
guide and participant ratios
resources
equipment
weather details
safety requirements
contingency plan.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits from land management authorities
equal opportunity
privacy
working with children
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
Standard Operating Procedures for running a trail ride
risk management procedures
assessment procedures
time and budget constraints
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
guide and participant ratios
emergency and safety procedures
code of ethics.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
Media
land managers or agencies
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Food and water requirements may include:
range of foods
perishability
energy content.
carrying capacity
Principles of nutrition may include:
essential nutrients
individual food requirements and allergies
hydration.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size
Appropriate authorities may include:
authorities
supervisors
Equipment may include:
saddles and associated horse equipment
maps and compass
safety equipment
Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons
ropes
knife
communication equipment.
first aid equipment
saddle bags
Relevant information may include:
logistical details
safety procedures
prevention and treatment of illnesses
behaviour patterns and characteristics of horses
equipment requirements
preventative measures for risks
possible hazards
horse handling and riding techniques
objectives of day ride
rules and codes
responsible and safe behaviour.
medical information, fitness and skills of the riders
Communication system may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles.
Safety procedures may include:
correct fitting equipment
undamaged equipment
communication systems
use of safety and rescue equipment.
procedures for managing the group
assessing abilities of riders before departure
teaching basic skills prior to departure
ensuring appropriate horse and rider combination
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication system
riding technique
riding pace and space
attitude
negotiation of hazards
use of equipment
suitability of horse or rider combination.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
participant's needs
riding conditions.
Suitable site may include:
rest stops
activity sites
temporary shelter.
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.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
applies knowledge of horse riding and handling techniques to plan within activity constraints and applies effective group management techniques to guide and monitor participants according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
monitors the progress of the day ride and applies effective contingency management techniques to make adjustments in response to changing conditions, such as horse and rider problems, and negotiating hazards and changing weather conditions
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure planning and leading day rides that reflect the needs of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, guide and document a day ride for a variety of participants
suitable horses
a route or location suitable for the conduct of a horse trail ride
a suitable temporary site, if required
a group of participants to take part in the day ride
horse riding equipment such as saddles, navigation equipment, appropriate clothing, food and water, communication devices; safety, and first aid equipment.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of planning and guiding processes and interaction with a group of participants, including conveying information for safe participation and appropriate assessment of and assistance provided to participants
oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of day rides
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
portfolio of day riding plans
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOEQO304A Apply first aid for horses.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BBF49 SISOEQU005 Guide horse trail rides in tracked areas Unit of competency