Qualification Evaluation
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.
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Handler must be 18 years of age or older at the time of evaluation.
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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.
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Equine must be at least 1 year old at the time of evaluation.
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Handler must have owned the equine for at least six months.
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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.
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Equine must have a good demeanor and no history of aggressive behavior such as biting, kicking, or striking out.
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Equine must demonstrate good basic obedience skills.
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Equine must be halter broke and respond reliably to commands, welcome, not merely tolerate, interactions with strangers.
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Equine must be potty trained or accustomed to wearing a potty bag.
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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.
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Both equine and handler should work well as a team and enjoy interacting with strangers.
