1618 version 5

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Ride a horse for exercise

Level / 2
Credits / 2

PurposeThis is the first in a series of riding unit standards. Riders credited with this unit standard will be able to enter various industry sectors and proceed with specialised riding competencies.

People credited with this unit standard are able to: mount and dismount from a horse; ride a horse through the basic school movements demonstrating the use of aids; and maintain riding etiquette.

Subfield / Equine
Domain / Equitation
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 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

Special notes

1Legislation and codes relevant to this unit standard include but are not limited to: the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and its subsequent amendments; and the Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Horses (Wellington: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 1993) or available at

2The Official New Zealand Road Code (Wellington [NZ]: Land Transport NZ, 2007) applies to driving and leading horses on the road.

3For this unit standard the practical assessment evidence must be provided in the context of a commercial business operation under normal working conditions.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Mount and dismount from a horse.

Performance criteria

1.1Clothing worn meets the requirements of riding and safety.

Rangeincludes but is not limited to – safety helmet; smooth soled, heeled footwear; vest.

1.2The horse is mounted with rider lowering gently into the saddle and maintaining control of the horse at all times.

1.3The horse is dismounted with rider landing on the ground with both feet simultaneously and maintaining control of the horse at all times.

1.4Aids are used which assist the rider to mount whilst maintaining control of the horse at all times.

Rangemounting block, leg up.

Element 2

Ride a horse through the basic school movements demonstrating the use of aids.

Rangewalk, rising trot, canter.

Performance criteria

2.1Natural aids are used unobtrusively to control the horse.

Rangeseat, leg, voice, hands.

2.2A steady and correct position in the saddle is maintained at all times.

Rangehands, thumbs, lower arm in relation to rein and horse's mouth; heels; lower leg; hip and heel alignment; body pose; head.

2.3Leg aids are reinforced using artificial aids.

Element 3

Maintain riding etiquette.

Performance criteria

3.1Riding etiquette is maintained when riding on private property.

Rangeuse of gates, obtaining permission, other stock in paddock, minimal damage to land.

3.2Riding etiquette is maintained when riding on roads, and is in accordance with the Road Code.

Rangeuse of grass verges, traffic.

3.3Riding etiquette is maintained when riding in company in terms of safety of other horses, the use of gates, and horses misbehaving.

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 you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018