BECOME TQA CERTIFIED!
There are two ways to get certified. Choose the best option for you:
OPTION 1
Full-Time or Part-Time at TVCC
On campus training for 11-week term, attend 3-day clinic to earn certifications. Must sign up for class at TVCC to get access to TQA curriculum.
OPTION 2
Hybrid-Online Course through TVCC
Online instruction for 11-week term, attend 3-day clinic to earn certifications. Must sign up for class at TVCC to get access to TQA curriculum.
TQA Industry Certificates
Divided into 3 Categories:
1. Horse Trainer – Foundation: Colt Starting & Foundation Tune-Ups
2. Horse Trainer– Foundation to Finish: Performance Training & Selling Performance Horse Prospects
3. Ranch and Feedlot: Daywork Skills: Jobs That Require Horsemanship, Stockmanship & Roping Skills
Horse Trainer: Foundation
- Colt Starting
- Foundation Tune Up
- Assistant Trainer
- Horsemanship Test
TQA’s Foundation Training Certifications are designed for individuals who are passionate about training and selling horses to the public, with a strong focus on achieving breakthroughs with challenging or untrained horses. The TQA curriculum is divided into four progressive phases: Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4.
Students who successfully complete Phase 4 and pass the TQA industry test judged by industry professionals are certified to:
- Meet TQA’s standards for training an un-started horse, or tuning up a poorly trained horse.
- Meet TQA’s recommended timeline and guidelines for two-months of “professional horse training”.
- Pass a horsemanship test to equip for entry-level jobs in the equine industry.
- Meet TQA’s standards to be hired as an assistant trainer for a professional horse trainer.
A. Colt Starter/ Foundation Tune-Up: $800-$1,000/ Month/ Horse (Base Training Fee: Does not include Feed, Shoeing, Teeth, Chiro)
B. Assistant Trainer: $15-30/ Hour, or $1,800-2,500/ Month (May or May Not Include Housing)
Horse Trainer: Foundation to Finish
- Reining
- Fence work
- Rodeo
- Heading
- Heeling
- Breakaway
- Barrels
TQA’s Foundation to Finish Training Certifications are structured into four progressive phases. Phase 4 represents an industry-ready horse, demonstrating the student’s ability to produce a well-rounded performance horse prospect. Each phase certifies the student’s knowledge, skill, and progression in developing a horse through proper training stages. Students can certify in each phase of performance horse prospects.
These certifications focus on evaluating the student’s understanding of the process required to:
- Transition a horse through 4 consecutive phases to produce a solid performance horse prospect.
- Track horses progression on score sheets to evaluate advancement in temperament, foundation and task completion.
A. Performance Horse Sales: $10,000-$30,000/ Horse Sold (Industry Dollar Value)
B. Performance Horse Training: $900-$1,100/ Month/ Horse (Base Training Fee: Does not include Feed, Shoeing, Teeth, Chiro)
Ranch and Feedlot: Day Work Skills
- Horsemanship
- Stockmanship/ Feedlot
- Ranch Roping
- Branding (Head and Heel)
- Pasture Doctoring
- Double Man (Yearling Cow)
- Single Man (Calf)
- Single Man (Yearling Cow)
TQA’s Ranch and Feedlot Certifications prepares you for work on ranches, feedlots, or daywork that requires horsemanship, stockmanship, and roping skills. The TQA Curriculum is divided into 4 phases, with Phase 4 certifying you as job-ready for the industry. Each phase builds your skills in riding, handling livestock, roping, teamwork, and speed regulation. You’ll also learn the science, art, and business of training and selling horses to the public—while getting paid to work on ranches and feedlots.
These certifications focus on evaluating a student’s understanding of the process required to:
- Transition through 4 phases to instill correct muscle memory in horsemanship, stockmanship and roping in order to be hired on a ranch or feedlot.
- Learn TQA’s standards and guidelines for training and selling horses, while working on ranches and feedlots.