- V
- Ventilation
- Devices used to allow the flow of air through a transport vehicle.
- Veterinarian (Vet)
- A person who is registered with their state board to treat animals and prescribe restricted medications.
- Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- The system of training in Australia that refers to post-compulsory education and training which provides people with occupational or work-related knowledge and skills. VET excludes degree and higher-level programs delivered by higher education institutions such as universities.
- Vulva
- The external part of female genitalia. It sits below the anus.
- W
- Wagering
- A term used in the racing industry which refers to ‘betting' – placing a wager on a thoroughbred, harness or greyhound race.
- Weanling
- A young horse (foal) up to one year old that has been separated from its mother as it is now eating grass and feed and no longer needs to drink milk.
- Weaving
-
A bad habit that horses learn; once they learn to do this they often can't stop the behaviour. The horse rocks from side to side swinging its head.
It is often a sign of boredom in horses that are kept in stables or yards for long periods. They can wear their feet unevenly which can also affect their performance.
- Whelping date
- The date a litter of pups were born.
- Whelping kennel
- A specific kennel designed for the birth of a littler of pups. It would include a larger bed for mother and puppies and electricity outlets for lighting and heating.
- Whip
- An implement used by the rider or driver to spur on the horse in the run to the finish line.
- White
- This horse colour is rare in thoroughbreds. The foals are born white, or predominantly white, but pigmentation may be present on the poll and ears or on the tail and tufts or even patches of coloured hair may be present. The eyes of some are blue.
- White markings (horses)
- Patches of white hair on pink skin on the head, legs and body. These markings can help to identify a particular horse.
- White markings (greyhounds)
- Patches of white hair on pink skin on the head, body, legs or tail. These markings can help to identify a particular greyhound.
- Whorls
- Areas of hair that change direction from the rest of the coat. These are common on the head and behind the ears and less common on the body and lower neck or legs. These can be used to help identify a horse as they are permanent marks that the horse is born with.
- Windsucking
-
A bad habit that horses develop; the horse generally holds onto a hard surface, braces its neck muscles and swallows large mouthfuls of air.
This is one of the most addictive bad habits (vices). Horses often suffer from colic more often if they become windsuckers as the air causes wind pains in their stomach. They often don't eat well either as they don't feel hungry because of the air in their stomach.
It is believed that they get an endorphin type hormone release when they windsuck which may be why they become addicted to the vice.
- WorkCover / WorkSafe
-
Each state and territory in Australia has an authority that manages the OH&S Act and workers' compensation requirements. The name varies from state to state. Always check you local information regarding health and safety in the workplace.
The Resource Centre, Safety Guidelines Manual provides links to state / territory authorities.
- WorkCover Inspectors
- WorkSafe Inspectors
-
These are inspectors employed by state Workers' Compensation Agencies. They have the authority to enter worksites at anytime during work hours to:
- investigate workplace incidents
- investigate reports of unsafe or unhealthy conditions or dangerous work practices
- assess workplace health and safety risks to workers and members of the public, and
- provide information and advice on obligations under the Act.
Inspectors have the power to impose a range of enforcement strategies including fines to encourage greater compliance of OH&S laws.
- Workers' Compensation
- If a worker is injured at work, workers' compensation provides funding to cover the worker's wages, medical and other rehabilitation costs. It is the law in every state and territory that all employers hold current workers' compensation insurance.
- Workplace assessment
-
The gathering and judging of evidence during normal work activities to determine whether a required standard has been achieved. Workplace assessment usually involves observation of work in progress, checking the product(s) of a work activity, and receiving oral responses to questions posed while work is in progress.
The practical skills section of They're Racing that you will do as part of this course is known as workplace assessment.
- Workplace Injury Management
-
If someone is injured at work the employer must provide a plan that allows the employee to receive treatment and rehabilitation. The plan will also include any adjustments in work duties or special equipment that may be needed so the person can return to work.
- Workplace learning
-
Workplace learning (also workplace training) is learning or training undertaken in the workplace, usually on-the-job, including on-the-job training under normal operational conditions, and on-site training, which is conducted away from the work process (eg in a training room).
- Workplace Health and Safety
- Workplace Health and Safety, also known as Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) is about preventing accidents, preventing injury and death and reducing time away from work because of injury. The importance of safety should never be underestimated.
- Y
- Yearling
- A horse that is officially one year of age and less than two. The thoroughbred horses' birthday is 1st August and the standardbred horses' birthday is 1st September.
