Preparing Your Application
We've compiled everything you need to complete your Recommended Professional
application in one place to make the process as easy as possible.
The IHA is committed to making it easy for equine professionals to obtain valuable credentials from home, while still maintaining high standards for horsemanship, professionalism, education, and horse welfare. Our Recommended Professional program does just that by celebrating and promoting those individuals who incorporate Relationship-Based Horsemanship into their daily equine business operations.
Thank you for your interest in this program and for submitting your intent to become a Recommended Professional. Please refer to this page and the PDF document below for detailed information regarding each element of your application as well as fees. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
Recommended Professional applicants must demonstrate a minimum degree of skill in one or more areas of horsemanship. To evaluate these skills, we ask that you film yourself performing certain movements in the Grades of Horsemanship Skill Sets of your choice.
Recommended Instructors & Trainers
To become a Recommended Instructor or Trainer in a particular Skill Set, please submit a Ground Skills assessment video that demonstrates at least Grade 6 competency. If you wish to become Recommended in any other Skill Sets (Bridle Riding, Liberty, Free Riding, In-Hand, and Long Lining), your application must include an additional assessment video for each (additional fees apply).
Please note that the Ground Skills assessment video must be submitted first. All other Skill Set assessments are optional and may be completed at any time. However, if the applicant’s Ground Skills video does not meet the required degree of skill, the other Skill Sets will not be assessed until the Ground Skill assessment is passed.
Ground Skills Video Assessment
Bridle Riding Video Assessment
Free Riding Video Assessment
Liberty Video Assessment
In-Hand Video Assessment
Long Lining Video Assessment
Recommended Practitioners
To become a Recommended Practitioner, please submit a Ground Skills assessment video that demonstrates at least Grade 2 competency. Videos of other Skill Sets are not required.
Ground Skills Video Assessment
General Requirements
- Please submit one video per Skill Set that you are applying for.
- Videos should be between 5 and 10 minutes in length and should not include cuts unless changing locations, tack, etc.
- Audio and visual quality should allow your assessors to see and understand what is being taught.
A practical assessment video is required for all types of Recommended Professionals and helps the IHA to evaluate your skills as applied to your interactions with students, clients, and horses. If applying for more than one type of Recommended Professional, please submit one practical assessment video for each. Please review the assessment forms for each type below in preparation for your video.
Instructor Lesson Video Assessment
Trainer Session Video Assessment
Practitioner Session Video Assessment
General Requirements
- Videos should be between 5 and 10 minutes in length and should not include cuts unless changing locations, tack, etc.
- Audio and visual quality should allow your assessors to see and understand what is being taught.
Practical Assessment Video Example
The following instructor lesson video is a good example for what you are looking to achieve.
Please provide two letters of reference from professionals in the horse industry who appreciate your talents, such as a mentor, instructor, service provider, etc., as well as three letters of reference from students or clients (over 18 years of age).
The following document provides more detailed guidelines for writing letters of recommendation that you may share with your referees.
Please provide your liability insurance information with your application, including the name of your insurance carrier, policy number, amount carried, date of expiration, and binder file.
Note that once your application is approved, the IHA must be named as additionally insured in your liability insurance policy.
Upon the approval of your application, this photograph would be used to represent you and your business on the Recommended Professionals directory along with your contact information on the IHA website. Photos may include your equine partner if you wish and should be in high-resolution.
To complete your application, you will be asked to agree to the IHA Media Release. Its terms are outlined here for your review.
Release
The following applies to the use of personal information and other content submitted for publication in any of the IHA's media channels.
By completing this digital release form, I hereby grant the IHA permission to use any personal information or content that I submit explicitly for the purpose of publication in both print and digital versions of the IHA Journal, the IHA Blog, and IHA social media platforms. I authorize the IHA to publish or distribute this information and content for purposes of publicizing the IHA in their publication, website, or social media postings. I also give the IHA the right to make reasonable edits to any content that I submit, to be approved by myself before publication. Information or content submitted may only be used for the original use in which permission is granted, unless additional permission is granted to the IHA.
I verify that I own the rights to have this content distributed, published, or otherwise promoted by the IHA. I certify that any work of art submitted is not plagiarized from another source.
I understand that completing this form only allows the IHA to use my content in their publication, and at no time will the IHA assume rights to the content themselves.
I understand that at no time shall I be paid, reimbursed, compensated, or given royalties for the publication of my content by the IHA, now or at any point in the future.
I hereby hold harmless and release and forever discharge the IHA from all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons acting on my behalf or on the behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization.
I certify that the person or all person(s) in any submitted photographs are at least 18 years of age. If they are under the age of 18, I certify that their parent or legal guardian has given approval.
I affirm that all given statements to the IHA are true. As the provider, I also understand that submissions of content, or completion of release, is not a guarantee of publication. If work is published, it is the duty of the provider (and not the IHA) to notify all involved parties of their involvement in the final product.
I have read this release and I fully understand the contents, meaning, and impact of this release. Agreement with any of the fields below constitutes my digital signature and my express agreement to all of the above mentioned terms of this release form.
To complete your application, you will be asked to agree to the IHA Code of Ethics. Its terms are outlined here for your review.
IHA Code of Ethics
As a Professional Member in good standing of the International Horsemanship Association, I pledge to:
- Uphold the IHA’s commitment to the pursuit of excellent horsemanship.
- Prioritize and maintain the safety of students, clients, horses, and all others involved in equestrian activities.
- Uphold and advocate for the highest standards of mental and physical welfare and humane training and treatment of the horse.
- Apply horse psychology and promote scientifically proven training techniques that represent the core principles of equine learning theory.
- Continue to advance my knowledge, skills and experience in order to contribute to the growth and education of the equine community.
- Acknowledge when my abilities or expertise fall outside the realm necessary to be of professional assistance to a client. Should this occur, I shall seek support from the IHA or refer to a fellow professional.
- Conduct myself in a professional manner with honesty, integrity and respect in all business dealings and interpersonal relations with clients and colleagues.
- Contribute to the IHA culture, which fosters education, collaboration, and mentoring.
- Assist in maintaining the honor and reputation of the IHA and refrain from any form of fraud, deception or impropriety.
- Cooperate with the IHA’s Ethics Committee during the investigation of any reported violation of mental, physical or inhumane treatment of an equine or human, understanding and accepting that following a full investigation by the Ethics Committee will be required to make recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning any action that may be taken, with the final decision resting with the Board.
Any member who has been convicted of cruelty or inhumane treatment of animals shall be terminated from the International Horsemanship Association and all privileges withdrawn.
The INTERNATIONAL HORSEMANSHIP ASSOCIATION, while striving to maintain the highest standards of conduct among its members, shall not and cannot be responsible in any way for the individual acts of its members.