Treasure Valley Community College
Equine Program in Ontario Oregon
TVCC Booster Horse Program
It is the goal of TVCC Horse Training program to certify students through TQA (Training Quality Assurance) who wish to enter the work force to train and sale horses to the public. TQA videos and score sheets help to equip students to pass the TQA Industry Colt Starting Test through meeting the TQA Quality Standards at the end of two months training. At the bottom of this page, you can watch the TQA videos going through groundwork to phase 4 to see the training program that your horse will be going through.
Training Quality Assurance: TQA is a 501 (C)3 non-profit organization that works with experts in the equine and ranching industry to set industry quality standards and certifications for training and selling horses to the public as well as working on ranches and feedlots where horsemanship, stockmanship and roping skills are required.
The text below (red font) was taken from the TQA website and outlines the TQA Industry Quality Standards and Guidelines for training horses for the public.
1. TQA Recommended Timeline for Setting a Foundation on a Horse
- Option 1: 40 Days Training in Two Months (60 Days):
- - Ridden 5 days in a row given 2 days off
- Option 2: 52 Days Training in Two Months (60 Days):
- - Ridden 6 Days in a row given 1 day off
- Option 3: 40 – 52 Days Training in Three Months (90 Days):
- - Ridden 4 Days in a row given 3 days off
- The number of rides per month partly depends on the age of the horse. Some may argue that a horse needs the extra ride in order to get a full two months, and others may argue that a young horse does better the other five days with two days of rest physically and mentally. Horses trained at TVCC are ridden four days in a row and given three days off because the college term is 3 months and we do not want to burn young horses out. Regardless of which option the trainer chooses, the main thing is that the horse receives consistent training, and the trainer can meet the recommended industry quality standards for two months training.
TQA Industry Quality Standards at the End of 2-Months Training:
- Setting the Foundation on an Un-Started Horse, or Restarting a Poorly Trained Horse
- Disclaimer: This does not mean that every horse will meet the TQA Industry Quality Standard for setting the foundation on a horse. It is only meant to be a baseline industry standard for the trainer to evaluate the horse with the client and for the client to evaluate their trainer. Just like kids in school, some kids take more time, and it is the same in working with horses. Also, some horses may be unsafe for their client and the Baseline Industry Standard can be used as way to show this to their client.
- 1. Good to Catch
- 2. Stand to saddle and accept bridle
- 3. Stand to get on (For an inexperienced rider)
- 4. Lope in a straight line away from the barn
- 5. Walk, trot and lope a circle both direction
- 6. Stop at a walk, trot and lope by asking with both reins.
- 7. Pivot around an inside front foot (disengage hindquarters)
- 8. Use hindquarters to pull horse in reverse motion (stopping & backing)
- 9. Front feet and hind feet move together in a lateral motion (side pass/ two track)
- 10. Stop the inside hind foot and walk/pull the other feet forward around it. (Roll Back/ Spin).
- 11. Vertical flexion
- 12. Pickup feet
- 13. Load in trailer
- 14. Stand quiet tied up
- 15. Foundation applied to jobs (catered to discipline):
- - What will the owner do with them? Open/ close gate, except rope/tarp, track cow/roping dummy, cut
- flag, go over jump, cross water/bridge, exposed to starting gate/track, crack whip, ext. ext.
TVCC Booster Horse Program
It is the goal of TVCC Horse Training program to certify students through TQA (Training Quality Assurance) who wish to enter the work force to train and sale horses to the public. TQA videos and score sheets help to equip students to pass the TQA Industry Colt Starting Test through meeting the TQA Quality Standards at the end of two months training. At the bottom of this page, you can watch the TQA videos going through groundwork to phase 4 to see the training program that your horse will be going through.
Training Quality Assurance: TQA is a 501 (C)3 non-profit organization that works with experts in the equine and ranching industry to set industry quality standards and certifications for training and selling horses to the public as well as working on ranches and feedlots where horsemanship, stockmanship and roping skills are required.
The text below (red font) was taken from the TQA website and outlines the TQA Industry Quality Standards and Guidelines for training horses for the public.
1. TQA Recommended Timeline for Setting a Foundation on a Horse
- Option 1: 40 Days Training in Two Months (60 Days):
- - Ridden 5 days in a row given 2 days off
- Option 2: 52 Days Training in Two Months (60 Days):
- - Ridden 6 Days in a row given 1 day off
- Option 3: 40 – 52 Days Training in Three Months (90 Days):
- - Ridden 4 Days in a row given 3 days off
- The number of rides per month partly depends on the age of the horse. Some may argue that a horse needs the extra ride in order to get a full two months, and others may argue that a young horse does better the other five days with two days of rest physically and mentally. Horses trained at TVCC are ridden four days in a row and given three days off because the college term is 3 months and we do not want to burn young horses out. Regardless of which option the trainer chooses, the main thing is that the horse receives consistent training, and the trainer can meet the recommended industry quality standards for two months training.
TQA Industry Quality Standards at the End of 2-Months Training:
- Setting the Foundation on an Un-Started Horse, or Restarting a Poorly Trained Horse
- Disclaimer: This does not mean that every horse will meet the TQA Industry Quality Standard for setting the foundation on a horse. It is only meant to be a baseline industry standard for the trainer to evaluate the horse with the client and for the client to evaluate their trainer. Just like kids in school, some kids take more time, and it is the same in working with horses. Also, some horses may be unsafe for their client and the Baseline Industry Standard can be used as way to show this to their client.
- 1. Good to Catch
- 2. Stand to saddle and accept bridle
- 3. Stand to get on (For an inexperienced rider)
- 4. Lope in a straight line away from the barn
- 5. Walk, trot and lope a circle both direction
- 6. Stop at a walk, trot and lope by asking with both reins.
- 7. Pivot around an inside front foot (disengage hindquarters)
- 8. Use hindquarters to pull horse in reverse motion (stopping & backing)
- 9. Front feet and hind feet move together in a lateral motion (side pass/ two track)
- 10. Stop the inside hind foot and walk/pull the other feet forward around it. (Roll Back/ Spin).
- 11. Vertical flexion
- 12. Pickup feet
- 13. Load in trailer
- 14. Stand quiet tied up
- 15. Foundation applied to jobs (catered to discipline):
- - What will the owner do with them? Open/ close gate, except rope/tarp, track cow/roping dummy, cut
- flag, go over jump, cross water/bridge, exposed to starting gate/track, crack whip, ext. ext.
Payment and Documentation
Currently the most common industry quality standard for "starting" a horse is to have them for two month and through TQA’s phase four of training. It is also common for most people training horses for the public to charge between $800 and $1,200 per month. So, to set a “solid foundation” on a horse a person should expect to pay between ($1,600 and $2,400). Although we are trying to meet the industry quality standard through the TVCC colt starting program, as a result of training young kids along with your young horse, or due to illness or lameness in the horses during training we sometimes fall short of meeting the TQA Industry Quality Standard.
Below I would like to share how much we have into the horses and offer a suggested booster donation. However, at the end of the day we are not running a business and whatever you choose to donate to our 501-C3 through the horse production program will be very much appreciated and will go far to help make our program better.
Fixed Costs to Cover Expense (Paid at Drop Off)
TVCC Expense/ Term
$400 Feed and Board
$100 Teeth and Vet Expense
$500 (For Three Months)
Training Donation: Work Experience Scholarship Program (501-C3)
Suggested Training Donation
Through Phase 4 $ 700 + $500 = $1,200
Through Phase 3 $ 500 + $500 = $1,000
Through Phase 2 $ 300 + $500 = $800
Through Phase 1 $ 200 + $500 = $700
Payment and Documentation
Currently the most common industry quality standard for "starting" a horse is to have them for two month and through TQA’s phase four of training. It is also common for most people training horses for the public to charge between $800 and $1,200 per month. So, to set a “solid foundation” on a horse a person should expect to pay between ($1,600 and $2,400). Although we are trying to meet the industry quality standard through the TVCC colt starting program, as a result of training young kids along with your young horse, or due to illness or lameness in the horses during training we sometimes fall short of meeting the TQA Industry Quality Standard.
Below I would like to share how much we have into the horses and offer a suggested booster donation. However, at the end of the day we are not running a business and whatever you choose to donate to our 501-C3 through the horse production program will be very much appreciated and will go far to help make our program better.
Fixed Costs to Cover Expense (Paid at Drop Off)
TVCC Expense/ Term
$400 Feed and Board
$100 Teeth and Vet Expense
$500 (For Three Months)
Training Donation: Work Experience Scholarship Program (501-C3)
Suggested Training Donation
Through Phase 4 $ 700 + $500 = $1,200
Through Phase 3 $ 500 + $500 = $1,000
Through Phase 2 $ 300 + $500 = $800
Through Phase 1 $ 200 + $500 = $700
TVCC Boarding Agreement
(All horses boarded at the TVCC Sonney Hanson Livestock Center must have Coggins and vaccinations)
We cannot stress enough how much we appreciate your support to the program. We could not do it without your continued support!!!!!!
For more information on TQA visit
Training Quality Assurance Certification – Training Quality Assurance
Thank You
Wade Black
(All horses boarded at the TVCC Sonney Hanson Livestock Center must have Coggins and vaccinations)
We cannot stress enough how much we appreciate your support to the program. We could not do it without your continued support!!!!!!
For more information on TQA visit
Training Quality Assurance Certification – Training Quality Assurance
Thank You
Wade Black