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Select and fit gear on a horse for riding
Level
4
Credits
6
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate knowledge of
the horse’s mouth, types of bits and their functions, and select, fit, and
remove a bit for a horse for a specific activity; select auxiliaries and fit on the
horse for a specific activity; select and fit a saddle and saddle accessories
suitable for a specific activity, and select back and saddle protection suitable
for the horse and the activity.
Subfield
Equine
Domain
Saddlery
Status
Registered
Status date
23 April 2008
Date version published
23 April 2008
Planned review date
31 December 2013
Entry information
Open.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0018
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
1
Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Health and
Safety in Employment Act 1992, and its subsequent amendments.
2
Stable procedures are the documented practices and polices required within a
particular workplace, and do not contravene the Code of Recommendations and
Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Horses (Wellington: Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry, 1993) or available at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/animalwelfare/codes/horses/index.htm.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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3
For this unit standard the practical assessment evidence must be provided in the
context of a commercial business operation under normal working conditions.
4
Specific activities include racing, endurance, showing, dressage, eventing, hunting,
showjumping.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the horse’s mouth, types of bits and their functions, and select,
fit, and remove a bit for a horse for a specific activity.
Performance criteria
1.1
The purpose and action of the bit in the horse's mouth or lips, are explained in
relation to the rider's legs and hands.
Range
1.2
tongue, bars of mouth, corners of mouth, roof of mouth, jaw.
Description of bits identifies types and functions suitable for selected activity.
Range
may include but is not limited to – unjointed/half moon/mullen
mouth/fixed sides, French snaffle, jointed snaffle, gag snaffle,
double bridles (weymouth and bridoon), kimblewick, pelham,
elevator, cherry roller, Dr Bristol, German snaffle (hollow mouth
snaffle), dexter ring bit, anti-rearing bit.
1.3
A bit is selected according to the action of the bit, the stage of training, and
regulatory requirements.
1.4
Results of resistance or evasion through pain or fear are recognised, and action
is taken to identify and remove or correct cause in accordance with stable
procedures.
Range
1.5
may include but is not limited – tongue over bit, 'above the bit'
(horse puts head up), ‘behind the bit’ (horse tucks head in),
bruised bars.
Bridles with bits are fitted, to ensure the fit is comfortable and removed from the
horse. Fitting and removing are carried out without discomfort to the horse and
in accordance with stable procedures.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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Element 2
Select auxiliaries and fit on the horse for a specific activity.
Performance criteria
2.1
Auxiliaries suited to the activity of the horse are selected and fitted in a manner
which is comfortable for the horse and fulfils required action.
Range
may include but is not limited to – nosebands; cavesson, dropped,
flash (hanoverian), grakle (crossed), kineton (puckle), martingales;
standing, running, market harborough, irish, breastplates, crupper.
Element 3
Select and fit a saddle and saddle accessories suitable for a specific activity.
Performance criteria
3.1
Saddle is selected appropriate to the activity and the rider’s requirements.
3.2
Saddle fits contours of horse's back and the size of the rider.
3.3
Causes of sore backs are identified and rectified in accordance with the cause
and stable procedures.
Range
3.4
saddle fit, saddle cloth fit, rider experience, unevenly placed loads,
poor conformation.
Girth is selected appropriate to the activity, the type of saddle, and the rider's
requirements.
Range
may include but is not limited to – web, leather, string, nylon,
elastic, cottage craft.
Element 4
Select back and saddle protection suitable for the horse and a specific activity.
Performance criteria
4.1
Back pad is selected appropriate to the activity, the type of saddle, and the
rider’s requirements.
Range
4.2
may include but is not limited to – gel pad, key, foam.
Saddle cloth is selected and fitted appropriate to the activity, the type of saddle,
and the rider’s requirements.
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Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation standards@primaryito.ac.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016