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 develop systems and records for horse racing business training operations. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred racing stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Stable hierarchy may include:
clarifying steward's rights to inspect premises and question any racing participant
clarifying trainer's rights and responsibilities to horse welfare, safety and compliance with rules of racing
clarifying what types of information can be relayed to owner or other visitors to the stable
identifying job responsibilities and limit of decision making authority of staff members
identifying staff members who can make decisions to change or modify trainer instructions or normal procedures
explaining who staff should report information or incidents to on a daily basis
verifying who and under what circumstances veterinarian, farrier or others can be contacted for emergencies.
Acceptance or release of horses may include:
checking special diet, medication or other requirements with owner, recording same and advising trainer or supervisor
collecting owner contact details
collecting horse's registration papers
completing relevant documentation
confirming identification of horse on arrival and departure
confirming that trainer knows that horse is due to arrive
ensuring rugs and other equipment sent with a horse are labelled, recorded and returned with horse when it leaves
ensuring horse is healthy and fit to travel
ensuring trainer has approved removal of horse from stables
isolating and monitoring horse where possible for the first few days after arrival in case of disease or illness
verifying that horse is fit and healthy when it arrives.
Emergency plans and procedures may include:
general property emergencies, including:
building or facility damage
electrocution
exposure to toxic substances
fire
power failure
horse emergencies, including:
cast horse
horse with colic
injured horse
suspected contagious disease.
Handling and storage of chemicals and medications considerations may include:
avoiding contamination of racing horses with medications that may cause a positive swab, including human medications and illegal or prohibited substances
keeping chemicals in approved containers and lockable storage
keeping medication for horses in lockable storage
maintaining medication use records
providing chemical use instructions to users
providing medication and sharps disposal containers
providing personal protective equipment for users of chemicals
verifying medications to prevent giving medication to wrong horse.
Disease and infection control protocols may include:
hygiene practices to minimise risk of spreading disease between horses
hygiene practices to prevent spread of disease between horses and people
identifying signs and symptoms of potentially infectious diseases
monitoring new horses or those that have returned after spell or long trips in commercial transports
national animal emergency disease control protocols
providing quarantine area for new or sick horses.
Husbandry of horses may include:
demonstrating handling techniques, including judicial use of restraints
determining who can handle potentially less reliable horses, including young stock and stallions
developing diet for individual horses
exercise management of horses not being ridden or driven
maintaining a diary of daily activities relating to the movement, management and exercise of horses
monitoring and recording vital signs and other health indicators
recording administration of medication, vaccinations, therapeutics and worming preparations, including type, amount and date of administration
recording information on shoeing and hoof care
recording injuries, illnesses, diseases and treatments for individual horses
recording response to diet and any changes to diet
warm-up and cool-down requirements for horses being exercised
weighing horses and recording information.
Maintenance of tack and equipment may include:
cleaning and conditioning saddlery, transport equipment, rugs, bandages and boots on a daily, monthly and annual basis
cleaning and servicing gigs (harness)
organising safety inspection of electrical leads and appliances
listing gear and equipment requiring repair
regular inspection protocol of all tack and equipment
stock control of rugs and saddlery sent for repair.

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 developing systems and records for racing business operations
implementation of procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient operation of systems and records
documentation related to a number and variety of racing horses that are presently in training and housed in registered training facilities
working with others to implement and complete procedures that meet required outcomes
consistent prioritising and timely completion of procedures that safely, effectively and efficiently meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of stable management and exercise scenarios for racehorses of different ages and sexes, and at different stages of preparation in a racing stable. Theoretical components can be assessed in a simulated situation but must be related to racing industry conditions and tasks.
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:
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to prepare documents and give instructions on the care, management and exercise of horses in a racing stable
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
inspection of completed work
simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.
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:
RGRPSH302A Supervise handling of horses
RGRCMN401A Maintain and monitor OHS procedures and environmental work practices
RGRPSH408A Manage horse health and welfare
RGRPSH409A Determine nutritional requirements for racing horses
RGRPSH421A Operate horse racing training business
RGRPSH501A Plan and adapt training and conditioning programs for racehorses
TAADEL301A Provide training through instruction and demonstration of work skills.
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).