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Have you got what it takes to become a Horse Riding Instructor?

 

Have you got what it takes to become a Horse Riding Instructor?

By Becky Parker

Become a horse riding instructor - specialist instructorsA truly GOOD horse riding instructor is worth their weight in gold. Be it under the label of Instructor/Coach/Trainer/Tyrant they are the person who inspires you most when you are first learning, who picks you up and dusts you off when you fall (repeatedly), who shares your excitement for a new skill conquered, who praises you when you get it right, and who gently (or not) nudges you in the right direction when it’s all going wrong. Often they help you source your first horse and then guide you in the right direction/problem solve/commiserate and celebrate with you with the succession that follow over the years. Throughout our lives we will generally come across a great many horse riding instructors as we work our way through riding school and/or Pony Club to Riding Club or discipline-specific trainers, but there will always be one or two that stick in our memories. Whose little voices creep into our heads whenever we are schooling alone or when it’s all going horribly wrong mid-round or test!

What is it that makes these instructors so great? Here we take a look through a mixture of research, questioning and personal experience at the most important qualities a horse riding instructor must possess.

First things first…

 

Insurance

If you’re going to teach (even your mates) you need to be insured. We all know horses are unpredictable, and when you’re telling another rider what to do on their mount you can be held liable for any accidents that happen, even if it isn’t entirely your fault! A bad accident can result in a lifetime of expense to the victim, and you can find yourself in extremely hot water if you’re deemed responsible for the incident. When it comes to a legal dispute, arguing that your student “knew the risks” will not hold up!

You don’t need qualifications in order to get insurance to teach, but whether your existing insurance policy covers you for teaching is at the discretion of the individual insurance company, so never assume you’ll be covered by yours or your horse’s existing policy. Put all assumptions to one side and speak to your insurance company about the facts before assuming any role as a horse riding instructor.

 

Qualifications

Equine Careers - British Horse Society Career PathwaysBRITISH HORSE SOCIETY EQUINE EXCELLENCE PATHWAY

The British Horse Society (BHS) has recently modernised their exam system to allow students to specialise in the areas that interest them most. Here are the main points to take away.

There are essentially 3 pathways to choose from…

  • Groom Pathway (with Care and Lunge Elements)
  • Professional Rider Pathway
  • Coaching Pathway

The grading is from Level 1 – 5.

Students who take exams in all 3 Pathways are awarded a certificate in ‘Complete Horsemanship’ for each Level they have passed all 3 elements in. At Stages 3 and 4 this can be specialised in either Dressage or Jumping.

The BHS Ride and Road Safety exam is now known as the BHS Ride Safe Award.

For further reading please head over to the British Horse Society website.

 

UKCC QUALIFICATIONS

Become a horse riding instructor - the voice we hear when we rideThe UKCC qualifications are coaching specific qualifications awarded through the British Equestrian Federation. Coaches can be from Level 1-4 and can choose to specialise in either Dressage, Showjumping or Eventing at either level or remain all round General coaches. These qualifications specifically concentrate on the practical elements of planning, delivering and reviewing lessons. Further information can be found on the BEF website here.

Qualifications might not be necessary in order to get insurance to teach your mates (and we all know a pro rider or two making a good extra wage and doing a fab job at the same time coaching without a single qualification of any kind to their name) but if you plan to follow a career as a Freelance Instructor or through the Riding School route with aspirations of becoming a Yard Manager you will need these pieces or paper to prove your competence. For insurance purposes alone, not to mention the reassurance of understandably nervous mothers, riding schools will usually require all of their independently teaching horse riding instructors to hold their BHS Stage 3 Coach (formerly BHSAI) and Yard Managers to hold their BHS Stage 4 Coach (formerly BHSII) or equivalent level UKCC qualification.

You can read more about the British Horse Society Pathways here.

 

The right personality

Experience + Knowledge + The Human Element = A GOOD HORSE RIDING INSTRUCTOR

The list of desired attributes in an horse riding instructor vary depending on who you ask and who you are teaching but the key recurring elements are:

  1. Have you got what it takes to become a horse riding instructor - patienceA working knowledge of both Human and Equine Biomechanics – Without a basic understanding of the horse’s correct way of moving and the riders achievable range of movement and feel it is very hard to instruct someone on how it should be done.
  2. Relevant Personal Riding Experience – Whilst you don’t have to be a world beater some personal experience of how what you are asking of your student should feel is essential in teaching. Experience riding a variety of horses of all breeds/sex/age and ability increases your problem-solving portfolio when dealing with behavioural issues. No two horses will learn or feel the same way so no one way of teaching will ever fit all. Only experience will teach you how to recognise and work around this.
  3. The ability to LISTEN – It may sound obvious but communicate with your student to discover their individual needs. Ask them what their goals are? What are the issues preventing them from reaching them? How do they feel they are progressing? What worries them? Do they understand what you just asked them to do? How do they feel that test/round went? Your job is not to shout and lecture but to work with the rider and horse as a 3-way triangle to reach their end goal and you can only do that, by listening to them.
  4. The ability to ADAPT and be CREATIVE – As a horse riding instructor you will find you teach such a huge range of ages and abilities the ability to adjust your delivery style and exercises to suit will be a significant factor in your popularity and ultimately your success at earning a living. Showing enthusiasm by keeping the lessons dynamic and creating a rapport with all of your students is what will keep them encouraged to return to you rather than anyone else.
  5. A personal hunger for learning – The desire to constantly improve yourself and a passion for learning itself should be the real drive for any instructor. Keeping an open mind to new techniques, thinking outside the box to problem solve when a horse or rider is hitting a wall in their progress and always continuing with your own personal development will keep a freshness to your teaching that sets you apart.

 

The expert’s opinion

In order to gain a first-hand opinion, having no teaching experience myself, I took my question to someone who as an extremely experienced and well qualified horse riding instructor – manager of a team of instructors who happens to be based at an equine college and sees more than most what is required from the job at all levels:

Alex Robinson-Barr, BHSI, Team Leader for Equine at Bicton College tells us what characteristics she thinks make a good horse riding instructor…

Become a horse riding instructor - qualities“In order to be a great instructor you need to have many transferable qualities.

Some of these qualities that come to mind: patience, confidence, counselling ability,  to able to ride the horse if required, ideally but not essentially (think of some of the old masters of equitation), to have the horses well-being and welfare at the heart of what you do, time management is essential, ability to stay cool and not burn in the summer but also wrap up like Michelin man in the winter! The instructor must be able to listen to the rider and adapt their approach accordingly. They also need to have relevant previous experience they can draw on when inspiring and supporting their clients.

Other skills you require in the instructors’ toolkit – saddle fitter, nutritionist for both horse and rider, marketing skills e.g. Facebook. A sense of humour at all times but be able to put your serious hat on as well. Understand all the new rules that come out from the various disciplines as they change all the time. Varied and exciting exercises to keep the horse and riders interested. Be able to project your voice in a calm and reassuring manner and not shout….

Above all love what you do and it will come through in your teaching!”

 

The hazards of the job

Have you got what it takes to become a horse riding instructor - supervise childrenWe have a real appreciation of honesty here at The Grooms List by Caroline Carter Recruitment, so with that in mind here is our little disclaimer section of a few of the hazards this career path may lead to with contributions from a few sources who strangely enough would prefer to remain anonymous…

Beware of the self-dressing child

Always assess your riders attire BEFORE allowing them to mount their pony. Many a child has turned up with their chaps on upside down, their gloves on the wrong hand and somehow or another their hat on back to front!

Beware of unexpected gusts of toxic wind

“It was the end of a very successful lesson and I was happily chatting away with my middle-aged well-spoken client. She was just a nervous beginner and had come on leaps and bounds with her confidence in that session. As she swung her leg over to dismount her leg caught on the saddle. I moved to the side of the horse to help just as she did the unthinkable ! I don’t know which of us was most embarrassed!”  Tact and diplomacy is a definite prerequisite on such a occasions 🙂

 Beware of the Big Talker

Always assess your rider’s ability for yourself at the beginning of the lesson and if at a riding school on a suitable sane and amenable horse. Many a rider will talk themselves up either to impress or more worryingly with a genuine belief that they are gods gift to equine kind! Have a Plan A, Plan B and if you have any worrying suspicions probably a Plan C too for what the content of this lesson will need to be.

 

Become a horse riding instructor - poniesBeware of the Ponies!

“The majority of ponies have hearts of gold but the cheeky little terrors make up for it with mischief aplenty for the whole lot of them. My favourite escapades have to be…

  • The Shetland who ducked under the rail of the arena for a speedy exit depositing his small passenger hanging on the middle rail in shock
  • The slightly erratic younger ponies who have not yet learnt to ignore children’s shrieks and bolt at the first strange noise only to gain more and more speed with every progressively shrill squeal of terror from the child
  • The lazy ponies who refuse to move until you approach them with a lunge whip at which point they bolt off at mac 10 speed, all or nothing being their only offerings

 

Beware of the Parents

It really is impossible to talk about children, ponies and riding lessons without touching upon the reality of the over-enthusiastic parent.

Become a horse riding instructor - parents

Most parents adore their children and many give 3000%. Many instinctively know when to pipe up and down and that’s great, but there are some… whether their enthusiasm is borne of the desire to relive their pony club days, a desire to get little Cressida to the next Olympics, or merely that they want to see their child pay attention to the horse riding instructors THEIR WAY, they can sometimes be a tad trying, especially those who adopt the ‘back seat driver’ approach.

Jess Herbert an old college Instructor of mine has these pretty direct words to describe her approach to the “trickier” parent–

“If after several polite requests to be quiet they still persist; I simply smile and politely invite them in to take the lesson themselves. The shock effect this has usually stuns them into silence. I’m a great believer in giving the kids a chance to work it out for themselves. I tell them what to do then let them get on with it, constant instruction only confuses them. Riding should above all BE FUN for kids and adults alike.

The difficult parents, ponies and students might make it more of a challenge but the ones that listen and want to learn make it all the more worthwhile!”

 

I for one have been very lucky to have some fantastic horse riding instructors in my time but for me personally, it has always been the ones with a sense of fun who really seem to enjoy their job that have stuck in my head the most. Whilst at college one of our Lecturers/Instructors – Beverly Norman once jumped aboard a 13hh Highland Pony and jumped him around a 1 metre course just to prove us wrong that he could. We thought we were so clever and knew it all and she not only proved us spectacularly wrong but earned our respect and admiration into the bargain. The site of her giggling away on that pony looking so ridiculous but having so much fun will forever stick in my mind as what, not just teaching but riding on a whole should be about. That’s what being a good horse riding instructor is, she had the power to tell us all to just shut up and get on with it but she didn’t, she thought outside the box, taught us a valuable life lesson and gave us all a hilarious memory to take forward forever.

 

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*5 day week * IRO £25K pa +/- plus accommodation neg. 🙂 This vacancy has arisen due to internal promotion. We have placed staff in these roles previously and the feedback is always excellent 🙂 This lovely employer is a semi-professional carriage driver and he and his wife have a strong equestrian background. Good horsemanship skills on the ground with yard & horse management skills being a priority for the role . Candidates should possess all the usual skills, including the ability to turn a horse out Riding optional – the horses are ridden by their owners (hacked and schooled to a good level under saddle). An interest in carriage driving experience is helpful but not essential and there is an opportunity to learn to drive if you might be interested.  Outings to competitions are shared between the yard manager and this position. You would mostly be travelling to outings in the UK. There are 7 horses which are Dutch harness horses 16HH-16.2HH (2x mares and 5 geldings), these are typically WB Dutch dressage type horses. The employer is constantly back and forth to the yard/abroad where he runs a thriving business but is looking to be permanently based in the UK permanently in 5/6 years’ time. Integrity, self-reliance initiative and self-starters are a must for this role. Small family estate. Indoor and outdoor ménages, good hacking. Great facilities -walker/washdown etc. No room for a horse but lots of good yards close by. Please call Caroline & the Team on 0203 006 5730 or email caroline@carolinecarterrecruitment.com
Job Description English family relocating from Scotland are looking for a live-in groom to start June 2024. This is a full-time position with the requirement to work ad hoc Saturdays or Sundays as needed. The applicant will be in sole-charge of two perfectly behaved cobs and three (pretty perfectly) behaved shetland ponies. The family are currently looking to acquire three further horses / ponies to add to their team. The private estate is a working farm with excellent equine facilities. There is an outdoor arena with show jumps, miles of off-road hacking and plans for an extensive cross country course. This is a very happy and family focussed home, with young children, dogs and other livestock. HGV 7.5 ton license preferable, but for the right candidate the family would sponsor the required training and qualifications. CVs and references will be required. Minimum Requirements All yard duties must be performed to a high standard. Applicant must be a sensitive and confident rider and happy to work through any schooling or behavioural issues. Due to the size of the horses, the family require a lightweight groom, ideally one who is able to exercise and school small stocky ponies. Candidate must be energetic, a team player, with good social skills and the ability to work harmoniously alongside other staff. The family are also looking for a positive, happy groom who would also really enjoy riding with (and teaching where needed) the younger members of the family. A DBS certificate will be required. Accommodation details Idyllic one-bedroom flat adjoined to the main house, overlooking the farm and parkland. This flat is in excellent condition and there is a strong expectation that this standard of accommodation will be maintained by the successful applicant. – Council tax paid for – Water and heating paid for (T&Cs apply) – All other utilities to be covered by the applicant Benefits For the right candidate, this position offers: – The opportunity to bring with them their own horse – The opportunity to bring with them a maximum of two well behaved small pets (indoor cats only) – The opportunity to use the family horse box for personal use (when not in use by the family) Pension as standard  
We are now looking for an experienced competent rider to join our team. This Warmblood Stud is the home of Stallions and Broodmares. We have the pleasure of owning and producing beautiful and versatile warmblood horses.  Our bloodlines include some of the top in the  Country ;- Concorde, Kannan, Voltaire, Zirocco Blue, Cardento, Kashmir V. We are based in West Wales near Tregaron in a stunning rural location with purpose built equine facilities with an Equine Therapy and Spa onsite. Set in the midst of the idyllic Cambrian Mountains we are graced with beautiful outriding and our horses benefit with hacking out as part of their daily routines.  These quality Warmbloods are or have competed in show jumping competition in this country and abroad. This full time, live in or out role. We need a competent rider to join the team. Most importantly to work with our team,  getting the best from our horses. This will include general yard duties working as part of the team producing young stock and competing our stallions.   The role is 5 days per week and flexibility if we go out to shows at the week days and weekends. We are a mixed yard competition horses (stallions), youngstock, broodmares and general riding horses. We have some very well bred, exciting youngsters for the future. We are a very busy yard this could be a hugely rewarding role for the right person. Accommodation details – Live in is available for one and own horse considered.  
*Salary of £22,360 -£25K pa neg and prorate. depending on experience plus beautiful Cotswold stone cottage accommodation (without charges). *Fab CV opportunity *Single accommodation *World-class establishment *Well behaved dog considered Groom with some performance horse experience is required to work on a TEMPORARY basis whilst we find a permanent member of staff for an established and highly motivated team who work to a very high standard in an international dressage yard. Competent Grooms from any discipline considered. You must be a team player and as this is a non-riding position (some hacking, maybe,  if you are a particularly balanced and capable rider). It would suit someone who enjoys the Dressage environment and who wants to work with the best team of people & horses in the best of facilities at home. Please call Caroline & Team on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com
*Salary of £22,360 -£25K pa neg. depending on experience plus beautiful Cotswold stone cottage accommodation (without charges). *Fab career/CV opportunity *Single accommodation *World-class establishment *Well behaved dog considered Groom with some performance horse experience required to work within an established and highly motivated team to a very high standard in an international dressage yard. Competent Grooms from any discipline considered. You must be a team player and as this is a non-riding position (some hacking, maybe,  if you are a particularly balanced and capable rider). It would suit someone who enjoys the Dressage environment and who wants to work with the best team of people & horses in the best of facilities at home. This is a great training ground for those established in their career or ambitious individuals wanting to build a career towards yard management and /or competition grooming in the future. Please call Caroline & Team on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com
​*Stunning Cotswold location *IRO £400-£450 +accomm and no bills *5 day week * dog considered* Our client events her horses at all levels (BE90 – 4*)and has some fabulous advanced horses as well as some “up and coming” youngsters. This role is suitable for an experienced Groom who enjoys the competitive environment but is also happy when mostly home grooming. Relevant experience ideal including yard/stable/performance horse management. Youngstock experience a bonus as a few young horses brought in from time to time to bring on. Must be able to turn out to a good basic level. Must be passionate about horses and their care. … Please call Caroline & the Team  on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com  
CONFIDENTIALITY ASSURED *Salary IRO £40k totally negotiable depending on experience plus accommodation *Sponsorship available to suitably qualified non UK citizens *Partner, own horse and pets welcomed (but this is a role with lots of travelling home and internationally) Show Jumping Competition Groom required for a vacancy with a very ambitious and competitive family. Must be an experienced Show Groom in the UK and Internationally with an established referenceable record. Rider is a bonus but certainly not essential. Experienced driving  26t+ lorries and ideally articulated is key. 18 quality jumping horses and homebred/other young stock destined for a career in SJ/jumping all kept in top accommodation to the highest standards. Nice, flexible  accommodation Great team environment with a young, energetic, motivated and progressive team. Top-class facilities Fairly flexible on the number of days worked, can work around anything between 5 and 6 but obviously will be straight through when away at shows You will be well looked after and treated as the professional you have worked hard to become in this very inclusive environment. Must have experience with handling stallions. Please call Caroline & the Team on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com  
If you have an EU or German passport or the necessary immigration status plus an adventurous spirit and would like to turbocharge your CV – we would like you to get in touch soonest *Salary £2047.71 per month/£24,572.52 pa annum/£472.54 pw (Euros equivalent) *Food/accommodation and utilities small charge *Must have an EU or German passport *Dog considered *Short-term contract positions (6-9 months available), as well as long-term jobs, are available *This employer is happy to consider junior and senior, experienced or less experienced This is a unique opportunity to work in a world-class performance horse yard/ auction site/ sales/youngstock /sales and competition yards and on the same employer’s Stud & AI laboratory (during the Stud season) . The Stud role during the season has 2 key elements:  to look after broodmares and their foals. You would also be involved in vet checks and insemination, youngstock handling, stable management, feeding, health care, farrier, etc Grooms/Stud staff interested in working in their world-leading AI laboratory This position requires someone super meticulous and organised to fill and pack the orders for mares to be put in foal to their world-class stallions via AI  you don´t need any horse or lab experience at all. Enthusiasm and dedication to work alongside the best horses, riders, and horse people. This opportunity would be GREAT FUN and a second-to-none experience which would enhance your career anywhere you choose at home and abroad. Outside of the season you may well work with young horses/competition horses/auction bound horses etc etc whatever you r preference vs the yards requirements at the time. All up for discussion. This really does offer a rare insight into world-class horses, world-class facilities, and a truly remarkable experience for any Groom or Stud Person seriously interested in getting to the top of their game. There are also considerable opportunities for advancement and promotion possibilities if you wish to remain in Germany. Please note: Medical aid – by law both employer and employee have to pay 50% Statutory sick pay – the employer pays for the first 6 weeks of medical insurance,  after the 6 weeks they pay around 60-70% 3 meals per day will be provided when working on site, (one of which is a warm cooked meal), and the employee pays 163€ per month contribution All employment/immigration /legal administration – The employer will assist with this but there will be a joint responsibility between the employee and Employer. The agency, Caroline carter Recruitment Ltd. in its capacity as an introductory and not an employment agency,  does not get involved with this apart from in terms of communication between employee and employer if requested in writing/email by the employee or employer Covid-19  – The employee must have had the 1st and 2nd doses but it is not mandatory to have had the booster.  This will be at the employee’s discretion but the employer retains the right to restrict duties without it.   Please call Caroline & the Team on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com
Add considerable experience to your CV – why not consider as a short-term contract position (6-9 months available) as well as long-term jobs. If you have an EU or German passport, an adventurous spirit and would like to show what you are capable of or add to your CV, then this could be for you! *Salary £2047.71 per month/£24,572.52 pa annum/£472.54 pw (Euros equivalent) *Food/accommodation and utilities small charge * Must have an EU or German passport *Dog considered. One of the most professional performance horse yards in the world is looking to add to its team with two key Stud Roles to look after broodmares and their foals. You would also be involved in vet checks and inseminations, youngstock handling, stable management, feeding, health care, farrier, etc Grooms/Stud staff interested in working in their world-leading AI laboratory This position requires someone super meticulous and organised to fill and pack the orders for mares to be put in foal to their world-class stallions via AI  you don´t need any horse or lab experience at all. This employer is happy to consider junior and senior, experienced or less experienced. Enthusiasm and dedication to work alongside the best horses, riders, and horsepeople. This opportunity would be GREAT FUN and a second-to-none experience which would enhance your career anywhere you chose in the future both at home and abroad. A rare insight into world-class horses, world-class facilities, and a truly remarkable experience for any Groom or Stud Person seriously interested in getting to the top of their game. There are also considerable opportunities for advancement and promotion possibilities if you wish to remain in Germany. Please note: Medical aid – by law both employer and employee have to pay 50% Statutory sick pay – the employer pays for the first 6 weeks of medical insurance,  after the 6 weeks they pay around 60-70% 3 meals per day will be provided when working on site, (one of which is a warm cooked meal), the employee pays 163€ per month contribution All employment/immigration /legal administration – The employer will assist with this but there will be a joint responsibility between the employee and Employer. The agency, Caroline carter Recruitment Ltd. in its capacity as an introductory and not an employment agency,  does not get involved with this apart from in terms of communication between employee and employer if requested in writing/email by the employee or employer Covid-19  – The employee must have had the 1st and 2nd doses but it is not mandatory to have had the booster.  This will be at the employee’s discretion but the employer retains the right to restrict duties without it.   Please call Caroline on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com

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Caroline Carter Recruitment Ltd
The Stables
Fildyke Road
Meppershall
Bedfordshire
SG17 5LU

info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com
0203 006 5730 / 07747 686 118

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