How to Become a Horseback Riding Instructor

If you have always wanted to teach horsebackapprentice with an instructor who specializes in
riding lessons, you might want to become athat discipline. The same goes for jumping,
horseback riding instructor. These professionalsdressage, reining, cutting, saddleseat, and any
are responsible for teaching children and adultsother equestrian discipline.
how to ride horses, from baby-beginner levels to3- Learn Proper Safety Techniques
advanced instruction. Of course, in order toHorseback riding is a dangerous spot, so all
become a horseback riding instructor, there are ahorseback riding instructors should know CPR,
few things you must do to guarantee success.First Aid, and should be able to respond quickly
1- Get Educatedand effectively in a crisis. What if one of your
It isn't enough to know how to ride - you muststudents takes a bad fall? What will you do if a
also know how to teach. Read books about ridinghorse becomes injured? How should students
instruction, visit web sites dedicated to thisbehave while mounted? These are all things you
profession, and obtain certification in the ridingneed to know if you want to be effective in this
discipline you want to teach. In order to be aprofession.
successful horseback riding instructor, you mustYou should also realize that horseback riding
be capable of breaking down complex conceptsinstructors learn these techniques as they go. You
into easy-to-understand pieces. For example, canwon't pick it up right away, but you'll continue to
you explain the posting trot to someone who haslearn how to handle safety issues. Until you've got
never trotted a horse before? If so, you mightit down pat, however, don't teach riding lessons
be an instructor in the making.unless someone else is at the barn to assist in
Your education will also help you determine whatcase of an emergency.
type of horseback riding instructor you'll be. Some4- Find a Stable
instructors do better with baby beginner students,Most horseback riding instructors don't have the
while others can only work with advanced riders.cash to open up their own equestrian centers
Generally speaking, you should only be workingright away, so you'll have to find barn owners
with students who have not yet reached yourwho will allow you to teach on their property. This
level of expertise. Once they surpass theircan be set up either as an employer - employee
instructor, they should move on to someone else.relationship, or as an independent contractor.
2- Request an ApprenticeshipEither way, you'll have to split your earnings in
Although there are currently no formalsome fashion because you're using someone
apprenticeships for horseback riding instructors,else's facility.
you can do this the informal way and team up5- Continue Your Education
with a veteran teacher for a few months. Sit inHorseback riding instructors don't just stop
on lessons, help as ground crew, and take overlearning once they achieve the title. Instead, they
segments of the lessons to get the feel for howcontinue to broaden their horizons as they gain
it works. A great instructor learns from themore experience. Taking classics, clinics and
masters of his or her trade, and takes pointersseminars can make you a better instructor, and
from those who have succeeded in the past.will keep you abreast of the latest trends and
When you take an apprenticeship, however, makedevelopments in the industry. New techniques and
sure you're working with a horseback ridingtips arise every day, so don't assume that you
instructor who teaches the same discipline incan just quit once you have a loyal
which you later want to work. For instance, if youclientèle.
feel most comfortable teaching western pleasure,