AHCLSK236 — Handle horses safely for stock work

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What an assessment for AHCLSK236 must cover

88 assessable components: 4 elements (21 performance criteria), 21 performance evidence and 45 knowledge evidence requirements, plus 1 foundation skills. An audit-defensible tool maps every question and task back to these — that mapping is the coverage matrix Auditori generates alongside the assessment.

Elements & performance criteria

1 Identify horses and their typical behaviour

1.1Distinguish and confirm horses by their colour, markings, brands and sex
1.2Identify horse behaviour related to the natural instincts, sensory perceptions and social behaviour of horses
1.3Identify and interpret common horse body language
1.4Identify how horse behaviour is affected by human behaviour
1.5Identify environmental factors that may affect horse behaviour

2 Identify and control personal risks when handling horses

2.1Identify horse and known temperament, behaviour and level of education of horse prior to handling
2.2Check and confirm suitability of horse against own handling ability, and required activities
2.3Identify hazards, and assess and control and/or report risks related to handling horse
2.4Use appropriate personal behaviour and body language when handling horse

3 Safely catch, handle, secure and release horse

3.1Select and fit personal protective equipment (PPE) according to workplace procedures
3.2Select and fit appropriate horse gear for handling horse safely
3.3Locate horse and observe horse body language and behaviour before approaching
3.4Catch, lead and tie up horse using halter, and release horse using safe and low stress handling techniques
3.5Lead horse through narrow openings, and among other horses and handlers
3.6Tie up horse using a halter and lead-rope
3.7Lift fore and hind legs, and check and clean out hooves
3.8Check over and groom horse in preparation for proposed activity
3.9Release horse with another horse

4 Respond to immediate safety risks

4.1Monitor horse behaviour during all handling activities, and respond to situations and hazards that arise to avoid injury to self, others and horse
4.2Use safe and low stress handling techniques to control or minimise risks to horse and handler
4.3Report and seek assistance from supervisor on activities, risks or incidents beyond own level of responsibility

Performance evidence

identified at least three potential horse handling hazards and assessed associated risks
controlled safety risks when handling horses, including: communicated clearly with supervisor and/or others near the horse being handled
controlled safety risks when handling horses, including: selected and correctly fitted personal protective equipment (PPE)
controlled safety risks when handling horses, including: applied safe and low stress horse handling techniques and practices
controlled safety risks when handling horses, including: fitted and correctly used horse handling gear, including prepared halter and lead, in hand prior to approaching the horse
controlled safety risks when handling horses, including: identified safety zones, confirmed horse is aware of handler, avoided danger zones, untied and led horse
controlled safety risks when handling horses, including: positioned self to reduce risk of harm to self and others
controlled safety risks when handling horses, including: opened gates correctly for horse to be moved through safely
led horse safely, including: using handling cues to achieve the desired horse response, including ‘go’, ‘slow’, ‘turn’ and ‘stop’
led horse safely, including: on its own through narrow openings and confined spaces
led horse safely, including: in single file with other horses and handlers
led horse safely, including: under control past others leading a horse
identified hazards while handling horse, including: gates
identified hazards while handling horse, including: confined spaces
identified hazards while handling horse, including: other handlers
identified hazards while handling horse, including: social hierarchy of horses
secured horse to tie-up point using safe knot
lifted fore and hind legs and checked hooves
removed halter and lead while assuming safe body position in relation to horse
checked over and groomed horse safely
reported activities and potential risks or incidents to supervisor

Knowledge evidence

features of a horse, including points, colour, markings, gender
basic characteristics of common horse behaviour, natural instincts and social traits, including: social hierarchy of horses living in large groups
basic characteristics of common horse behaviour, natural instincts and social traits, including: natural behaviour of horses when returning from large breaks and associated handling techniques
how to identify horses using colour, markings, branding and sex
features of horse body language, including: posture and facial features that indicate horses are relaxed
features of horse body language, including: posture and facial features that indicate horses are threatened or defensive
features of horse body language, including: posture and facial features that indicate horses are distressed
typical horse responses to people, clothing and common human body language, including: aggressive
typical horse responses to people, clothing and common human body language, including: relaxed and approachable
typical horse responses to people, clothing and common human body language, including: self-confident
typical horse responses to environmental factors, including: weather
typical horse responses to environmental factors, including: natural environment
typical horse responses to environmental factors, including: physical environment, including infrastructure
basic horse behaviours, including fight and flight responses, body language, herd, small group and adverse behaviours
common hazards and risks that can occur when handling horses, including: hazards to handler in large groups of horses
common hazards and risks that can occur when handling horses, including: horse bites, kicks, strikes, stomping, crushing and being knocked
common hazards and risks that can occur when handling horses, including: zoonoses, including Hendra and ringworm
common hazards and risks that can occur when handling horses, including: weather, including extreme temperatures, wind and rain
common controls to eliminate or minimise risks when handling horses, including: current assessment of horse suitability
common controls to eliminate or minimise risks when handling horses, including: use of safe and low stress horse handling practices
common controls to eliminate or minimise risks when handling horses, including: movement within horse safety zones
common controls to eliminate or minimise risks when handling horses, including: fences and other barriers
common controls to eliminate or minimise risks when handling horses, including: infection control, including personal hygiene
common controls to eliminate or minimise risks when handling horses, including: pre-activity checks, including gear and equipment, horse behaviour and suitability in readiness for work tasks
purpose, use, maintenance and storage of PPE for handling horses, including: clothing and footwear
purpose, use, maintenance and storage of PPE for handling horses, including: face and eye protection
purpose, use, maintenance and storage of PPE for handling horses, including: hand protection
purpose, use, maintenance and storage of PPE for handling horses, including: head protection
common equine workplace communication procedures and protocols
common types of injuries sustained by horses, handlers and others during handling activities
how horses learn through pressure-release, use of cues, repetition and reward
safe body position in relation to horses, and use of cues to start, slow down, stop and turn horse
quick release knots and safe methods of securing horses
leg lifting and hoof checking techniques
purpose of stock horse hoof checks, including: sand cracks
purpose of stock horse hoof checks, including: irregularity to quarters, including flaring
purpose of stock horse hoof checks, including: missing shoes
purpose of stock horse hoof checks, including: wall implications
purpose of stock horse hoof checks, including: sole and frog damage
purpose of stock horse hoof checks, including: removal of stones or foreign bodies in feet or shoes
purpose and implications of body check over and coat grooming, including: injuries
purpose and implications of body check over and coat grooming, including: rub marks
purpose and implications of body check over and coat grooming, including: bites marks
purpose and implications of body check over and coat grooming, including: parasites
purpose and implications of body check over and coat grooming, including: infections

Foundation skills

Oral communication: Use clear language and accurate industry terminology for handling horses in livestock production workplaces. Respond to questions and clarify information.

Unit content sourced from training.gov.au — © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Auditori is not affiliated with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

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Questions about assessing AHCLSK236

What does an assessment tool for AHCLSK236 need to cover?

To satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence, an assessment for AHCLSK236 needs to address all 88 unit components: 4 elements with 21 performance criteria, 21 performance evidence requirements, 45 knowledge evidence requirements, and the foundation skills. A coverage matrix mapping each question and task to these components is what an auditor looks for.

How does Auditori generate an assessment tool for AHCLSK236?

Auditori pulls the current release of AHCLSK236 from training.gov.au and generates a complete package: candidate assessment, assessor guide with model answers and observation criteria, and a coverage matrix mapping every component. A suitably qualified person then reviews and approves the draft in a built-in workflow — consistent with ASQA's guidance on AI use in VET — before export as branded PDF and editable Word.

Is the first assessment tool really free?

Yes. Every new account includes one free credit — enough to generate the complete assessment tool for AHCLSK236 — with no card and no subscription required. After that it's pay-as-you-go per unit.

Can I check my existing AHCLSK236 assessment instead of generating a new one?

Yes — upload your existing assessment or learner guide and Auditori maps it against every element, performance criterion, PE and KE of AHCLSK236, showing exactly what's covered and what's missing. Mapping costs a quarter of a credit.

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