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 assess a candidate's ability to educate thoroughbred horses for racing. Workplaces include thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Planning an education program will include:
discussions with trainer
duration of training program
degree of training covering pre-training at long, slow distance work and faster work
fast or slow morning's work
reporting horse performance to trainer.
Principles of horse learning include:
bonding
conditioned response
dominance
habituation
sensitisation
stimulus and response
submissive behaviour.
Development of balance and tractability will include:
older horses requiring re-education
young horses that have been broken in and are preparing for training.
Factors to consider when horses are worked with other horses at controlled paces will include:
coping with change of pace from trot, canter and half pace during workouts
maintaining safe width space and length between horses
moving outside or inside other horses without altering action or baulking
moving smoothly from slow canter to faster striding work
remaining balanced and travelling on the bit
rules and regulations of the track
working past gaps without deviating
working quietly with other horses or on its own
working with confidence with other horses.
Factors to consider when remedial training techniques are employed may include:
condition of teeth
individual horse behaviour, including:
bolting
climbing
head throwing
inattention to use of aids
opening mouth
shying
whipping around
possible soreness, for example:
back
feet
hindquarters
limbs.
Gear required for remedial training may include:
barrier blankets
bits
blindfolds
blinkers
ear muffs
nosebands
pacifiers
rings
shadow rolls.
Arrangements to use practice barriers will include:
confirming availability of practice barriers with gap attendant or other authorised track personnel
confirming trainer requirements for barrier practice
following local track rules and regulations regarding barrier use
requesting barrier assistant to check smooth operation of front and rear gates before introducing horse to barriers.
Safe manner will include:
ensuring barrier training is conducted when ground is suitable and not slippery
identifying hazards associated with barrier training and applying risk control measures, including adhering to safe operating procedures
considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:
fences and equipment
other persons or animals
vehicles
wind and noise
identifying emergency situations, for example:
horse injury
loose horse
rider injury
identifying and reporting unsafe work practices
wearing personal protective equipment
understanding individual horse's behaviour
using approved gear in good repair
using barriers when there is minimal horse traffic in the immediate area
using graduated procedures to accustom horse to barriers, including:
walking horse through gates on first occasion before re-entering and closing front and rear gates
accustoming horse to barrier and gate noises while standing calmly in barriers
trotting horses from barriers before attempting faster exits
jumping from barriers and riding at controlled canter
jumping smartly from barriers and working strongly as permitted in available space.
Common barrier problems may include:
horse laying back on gate
horse laying on sides of stall
horse burrowing
horse sitting down
horse refusing
horse pulling back
horse straddling front of stalls.

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:
identification of horse behaviour and movement that could potentially affect horse performance in training and racing
evaluation of potential for further improvement or progression in training when deciding if there is a benefit in continuing, particularly with re-education
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when educating thoroughbred horses for racing
demonstration of effective horse handling skills (including corrective techniques) that comply with animal welfare directives
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient provision of horse education
selection and application of appropriate, effective and humane techniques to correct or modify behaviour and performance of horses being prepared for thoroughbred racing
working with others to undertake and complete horse education procedures 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 thoroughbred horses
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to educate horses for racing
safe handling and work areas, such as racing stables, and training and racetracks
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 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, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.
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).