METSA

Teams must meet the following standards to take the qualification evaluation

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• Handler or Affiliated Organization must have a current METSA membership.

• Handler must be able to read their equine's non-verbal communication and recognize when the equine is stressed, anxious, concerned, overstimulated, fatigued or not feeling well.

• Equine must be at least 1 year old at the time of evaluation.

• Handler must have owned the equine for at least six months.

• Equine must be current on vaccines and coggins required by the state in which the equine resides and the state in which the team will be evaluated.

• Equine must have a good demeanor and no history of aggressive behavior such as  biting, kicking, or striking out.

• Equine must demonstrate good basic obedience skills.

• Equine must be halter broke and respond reliably to commands, welcome, not merely tolerate, interactions with strangers.

• Equine must be potty trained or accustomed to wearing a potty bag.

• Equine must be comfortable wearing appropriate equine equipment such as rubber soled shoes, therapy vest and costumes if they will be wearing these items during equine facilitated activities.

• Both equine and handler should work well as a team and enjoy interacting with strangers.

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Note: Junior teams (18 years of age and under) may qualify at an Intermediate Level I or II and requires adult supervision for equine activities.

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To pass the qualification evaluation the team must:

• Complete the handler questionnaire prior to the qualification evaluation.

• Sign Code of Ethics.

• Have a completed Equine Health Screen signed by a licensed Veterinarian prior to the qualification evaluation.

• Pass the qualification evaluation at one of the three levels; Intermediate Level I, Advanced Level II, Master Level III

Intermediate Level I

• The team must score a minimum of 28 points on the evaluation 

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Advanced Level II

• The team must score a minimum of 59 points on the evaluation

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Masters Level III

• The team must score a minimum of 70 points on the evaluation

• The handler must be 21 years of age or older.

• Team must complete 20 visits without incident and Handler must have a letter of reference from 3 facilities.

• The handler must log 20 hours minimum of academic education and/or hands-on training, specific to equine behavior or horsemanship including the following, or have a current EAGALA or PATH certification:  

  1. Groundwork experience

  2. Horse psychology

  3. Reading horse body language

• Handler must complete a combined 20 hours minimum of the following activities within the past 5 years participating in EAT, EAP, EAL, traditional therapy, or education; or have a current EAGALA or PATH certification. At least 10 of the 20 hours must be in an EAL, EAP, or EAT setting or equivalent training in EAL, EAP, or EAT. A letter of reference or certificate of completion is required from education provider, mental health professional, behavioral therapist or licensed therapist. 

• The handler must have current adult & child CPR and first aid certifications. (100% online courses accepted)