Trail Guides

Horse Safety Australia clinics are run throughout Australia to accredit and qualify those involved with running trail rides for groups (including tourists and school students). Our main areas of interest include communication, group and horse management, risk assessment and safety. These clinics are especially directed towards those who have worked in the industry and have experience, but who may not have a ‘piece of paper’ to prove they are good operators.

Horse Safety Australia qualifications are mentioned in the Safe Work Australia Guide, and by the education departments in all states (in their guidelines to schools for horse programs involving students) and the Adventure Activity Standards used for trail riding in national parks and state forests in most states.

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Trail Guide Qualifications

Insurance

Trail Guide Qualifications

Assistant Trail Guide

Minimum age 16. Can assist in a trail ride, under the direct supervision of a qualified trail guide. Includes the basics of Workplace Health and Safety, basic care and safe handling of horses including loading and unloading using a float, an understanding of the principles of minimal impact, and an ability to walk, trot/jog and canter/lope independently on a beginners’ horse.

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Trail Guide (Day Rides)

Minimum age 18. Qualified to provide foundational instruction to beginners, with a strong emphasis on risk management, planning and communication.
The instruction at this level includes teaching and supervising riders in groups and/or individually in the areas of mounting, correct position and control at walk and trot/jog. Includes the abilities to supervise others around horses, transport horses in floats, apply first aid for horses (including giving injections) and manage herds of horses in a structured environment. PLUS trail riding skills (short rides only) including an awareness of the added responsibilities and risks of trail riding, allowing for changing weather conditions, use of roads and tracks, track maintenance, planning for contingencies and management of groups of riders outside of the confines of an arena.

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Clinic Assessor (Trails)

BY INVITATION ONLY

Minimum level Trail Guide – day rides. Widely experienced in a variety of riding and management situations. A clinic assessor (trails) must have done a HSA clinic as a participant, have an extensive understanding of trail riding, horse behaviour, knowledge of safety and equipment, knowledge and understanding of risk theory and the psychology of fear, ability to demonstrate and communicate effectively, and skills to interpret and correct horse behaviour and performance. They require time management and people skills to facilitate a group and ensure positive outcome from clinics. See other details of what is required under Instructor: Clinic Assessor

General (Clinic Assessor)

BY INVITATION ONLY

To become qualified as a Clinic Assessor (Trail Riding) , a candidate must first be recommended as an Assistant Clinic Assessor, assist at a number of Horse Safety Australia clinics, then be recommended as a Clinic In Assessor. This includes the prerequisite of Workplace Trainer and Assessor qualifications: TAE40110 . See details under Instructor: Clinic Assessor.

Insurance

APRA Approved Insurance

( APRA approved) Insurance is available through Affinity Insurance Brokers for those businesses who use Horse Safety Australia Trail Guides. Phone 03 8587 7777.

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