Training Quality Assurance (TQA) is a source of information to U.S. horse owners of how accepted scientific knowledge can be used to educate horse owners on the “starting process” and setting a solid foundation on a horse. TQAguidelines are designed to help both the producer (horse trainer) and the consumer (horse trainer’s client). In the same way the foundation of a house determines the safety and security of the future building, the “starting process” (first 2 months) on a young horse should help to determine the safety and security of the future equine partner. TQA is working with experts in the industry to set quality standards to help the consumer determine who is truly qualified to “start” their horse. To help set industry standards and guidelines for qualification the welding industry has the American Welding Society, the automotive industry has the Automotive Service Excellence and Riding Instructors have the Certified Horsemanship Association. It is the goal and mission of Training Quality Assurance to help set standards and guidelines for training and selling horses to the public.
TQA Industry Quality Standards for 2-Months Training
- Good to catch
- Stand to saddle and accept bridle
- Stand to get on (For an inexperienced rider)
- Lope in a straight line away from the barn
- Walk, trot and lope a circle both direction
- Stop at a walk, trot and lope by asking with both reins
- Pivot around an inside front foot (disengage hindquarters)
- Use hindquarters to pull horse in reverse motion (stopping & backing)
- Front feet and hind feet move together in a lateral motion (side pass/two track)
- Stop the inside hind foot and walk/pull the other feet forward around it (rollback/spin)
- Vertical flexion
- Pickup feet
- Load in trailer
- Stand quiet tied up
- Foundation applied to jobs (specific to discipline): What will the owner do with them? – Open/close gate, accept rope/tarp, track cow/roping dummy, cut flag, go over jump, cross water/bridge, exposed to starting gate/track, crack whip, etc.