Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:56 AM AWST
22/07/2026 5:56 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Guide overnight horse trail rides in tracked areas
Guide overnight horse trail rides in tracked areas
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOEQO410A
SISOEQO410A
State Code
D6371
D6371
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
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
25
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide or lead clients on overnight horse trail rides on terrain or conditions not exceeding personal skill level in tracked or easy untracked areas. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to safely guide groups on overnight riding activities.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan an overnight horse trail ride.
- 1.1. Establish participant's needs and characteristics and assist with participant's disclaimer where required
- 1.2. 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.
- 1.3. Assess the capacity to acquire additional or new horses, as required according to 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 for participants according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues of the activity.
- 1.7. Develop and document a plan for the ride, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures, to meet participants' needs.
- 1.8. Identify and plan for the care requirements of horses according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.9. Obtain permits as required and inform appropriate authorities of route and anticipated duration 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 and organise equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.3. Select and pack first aid supplies for horse and rider.
- 2.4. Perform and document appropriate safety checks suitable for the ride, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.5. Adjust and fit equipment to ensure personal comfort.
- 2.6. 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 ride.
- 3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the ride.
4. Lead an overnight ride.
- 4.1. Provide clear and concise direction and advice to group during the ride.
- 4.2. Identify potential hazards and decide how they can be overcome or avoided.
- 4.3. Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.
- 4.4. Implement appropriate modifications to the ride in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
- 4.5. Respond to emergency or non routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.
5. Select and maintain a temporary overnight site
- 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. Arrange shelter appropriate for prevailing weather conditions
- 5.4. Check condition and health of horses at completion of the day's ride and manage problems that arise from wear or injury according to organisational policies and procedures
- 5.5. Monitor the security and safety of horses through the night.
- 5.6. Return site to an equal or greater standard on departure according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
6. Complete post trip responsibilities.
- 6.1. Notify relevant authority of ride 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 overnight 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 and physical capabilities
age
injuries and illnesses
medical conditions.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
time and budget constraints
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
guide and participant ratios
emergency and safety procedures
notification of illness or injury to participants or horses
alteration of routes
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 and course 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.
Principles of nutrition may include:
essential nutrients
individual food requirements and allergies
hydration.
Contextual issues may include:
weather extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards
Plan may include:
ride's aims and objectives
date, time and duration of ride
location, planned route and or destination
guide and participant ratios
route and meeting points for support vehicles
group management
resources
equipment
food and water
weather details
risk management
permits and permission.
Care requirements of horses may include:
food
water
corralling
tethering
shelter
security.
Appropriate authorities may include:
authorities
supervisors.
Equipment may include:
saddles and associated horse equipment:
backpack or saddlebags
overnight shelter
sleeping bags
cooking systems and utensils.
navigation equipment
safety equipment
watch
ropes
knife
communication equipment
Relevant information may include:
logistical details
safety procedures
symptoms, treatment and prevention of hypothermia, hyperthermia and dehydration
behaviour patterns and characteristics of horses
equipment requirements
preventative measures for risks
horse handling and riding techniques
rules and codes
responsible and safe behaviour.
Communication system may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles.
Safety procedures may include:
serviceable equipment
correctly fitted equipment
communication systems
use of safety and rescue equipment.
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication system
riding technique
riding pace and space
attitude
negotiation of hazards
use of equipment.
Modifications may include:
riding pace.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
participant's needs
riding conditions.
Emergency or non routine situations may include:
illness of participants or horses
injury of participants or horses.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
Participant's needs and characteristics may include:
skill level
previous experience
fitness level and physical capabilities
age
injuries and illnesses
medical conditions.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
time and budget constraints
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
guide and participant ratios
emergency and safety procedures
notification of illness or injury to participants or horses
alteration of routes
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 and course 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.
Principles of nutrition may include:
essential nutrients
individual food requirements and allergies
hydration.
Contextual issues may include:
weather extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards
Plan may include:
ride's aims and objectives
date, time and duration of ride
location, planned route and or destination
guide and participant ratios
route and meeting points for support vehicles
group management
resources
equipment
food and water
weather details
risk management
permits and permission.
Care requirements of horses may include:
food
water
corralling
tethering
shelter
security.
Appropriate authorities may include:
authorities
supervisors.
Equipment may include:
saddles and associated horse equipment:
backpack or saddlebags
overnight shelter
sleeping bags
cooking systems and utensils.
navigation equipment
safety equipment
watch
ropes
knife
communication equipment
Relevant information may include:
logistical details
safety procedures
symptoms, treatment and prevention of hypothermia, hyperthermia and dehydration
behaviour patterns and characteristics of horses
equipment requirements
preventative measures for risks
horse handling and riding techniques
rules and codes
responsible and safe behaviour.
Communication system may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles.
Safety procedures may include:
serviceable equipment
correctly fitted equipment
communication systems
use of safety and rescue equipment.
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication system
riding technique
riding pace and space
attitude
negotiation of hazards
use of equipment.
Modifications may include:
riding pace.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
participant's needs
riding conditions.
Emergency or non routine situations may include:
illness of participants or horses
injury of participants or horses.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
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:
plans overnight ride within activity constraints and applies effective group management techniques to guide and monitor participants in a safe and professional manner, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
monitors the progress of the ride and applies effective contingency management techniques to make adjustments in response to changing conditions, such as negotiating hazards, changing weather conditions and illness or injury
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure planning and leading overnight 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 overnight rides for a variety of participants
suitable horses
a route or location suitable for the conduct of overnight horse trail rides
a suitable temporary site, if required
a group of participants to take part in overnight rides
horse riding equipment such as saddles, navigation equipment and rescue 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
oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of overnight rides
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
portfolio of plans for overnight ride
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans overnight ride within activity constraints and applies effective group management techniques to guide and monitor participants in a safe and professional manner, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
monitors the progress of the ride and applies effective contingency management techniques to make adjustments in response to changing conditions, such as negotiating hazards, changing weather conditions and illness or injury
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure planning and leading overnight 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 overnight rides for a variety of participants
suitable horses
a route or location suitable for the conduct of overnight horse trail rides
a suitable temporary site, if required
a group of participants to take part in overnight rides
horse riding equipment such as saddles, navigation equipment and rescue 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
oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of overnight rides
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
portfolio of plans for overnight ride
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBF49 | SISOEQU005 | Guide horse trail rides in tracked areas | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| AC270 | SISSS00104 | Trail Boss - Overnight Rides | Skill set |
| AC850 | SISSS00107 | Trail Guide - Overnight Rides | Skill set |