| Teaching other people to ride horses is one of the | | | | phone, especially if you have contacts in the horse |
| most fulfilling careers in the world. Of course, getting | | | | industry. |
| a job as a riding instructor is not always easy, and | | | | Call local barns and stables to let them know you |
| you might find it almost impossible if you don't have | | | | want a job as a riding instructor. Ask them if they |
| your own equestrian facility and school horses. | | | | have any positions open and, if not, whether they |
| Getting a job as a riding instructor means convincing | | | | know anyone else who might be looking. The horse |
| a barn or stable owner to hire you as either an | | | | industry is very incestuous; everybody knows |
| employee or an independent contractor. You will be | | | | everyone else, and you'll learn more when you branch |
| paid hourly or based on the number of students you | | | | out to the web of horse business owners. |
| teach, and your income will be less than what your | | | | Pay Your Dues |
| students pay because you are using someone else's | | | | The perfect job as a riding instructor might not |
| facility. | | | | magically fall in your lap, and it might be necessary to |
| So how do you get a job as a riding instructor? | | | | pay your dues before you hit the big time. Consider |
| Where can you look, and how can you improve your | | | | finding a job as a working student first to gain some |
| chances of scoring a job? | | | | experience. These positions are usually unpaid-or |
| Get the Word Out | | | | come with a small stipend-but they often provide |
| Unless you plan to cold-call all of the barns and | | | | room and board so your expenses will be low. |
| stables in your area (or even in the country, if you | | | | This is also an opportunity to learn about all aspects |
| are willing to relocate), it is much easier to simply | | | | of the horse industry. You might get to teach riding |
| advertise the fact that you are looking for a job as a | | | | lessons, but you'll also groom horses, warm up your |
| riding instructor. There are several ways to do this | | | | employer's mounts, clean stalls, order feed and do |
| depending on what type of job you want. | | | | numerous other chores. It's great preparation for |
| For example, if you want to get a job as a riding | | | | getting a job as a full-time riding instructor. |
| instructor in your own city or town, you can | | | | Become an Entrepreneur |
| advertise your interest locally. Go where potential | | | | This final option is not for the faint of heart, but it is |
| employees are most likely to notice, such as placing a | | | | a possibility if you can't get a job as a riding |
| flyer in your local feed and tack store. | | | | instructor any other way. Contact barns and stables |
| If you are interested in getting a job as a riding | | | | in your area but, instead of asking for a job, inquire |
| instructor in another area of the country, the | | | | about partnership opportunities. They might be willing |
| Internet is your best friend. There are numerous web | | | | to rent out their facility to you for a monthly fee. |
| sites devoted to equestrian-related classifieds, such | | | | This will require buying your own school horses and |
| as DreamHorse and YardAndGroom. | | | | managing your own business. You might not want to |
| You can also advertise on the web sites of breed or | | | | pursue this option until you've been a working |
| sport associations to get a job as a riding instructor. | | | | student or obtained some other experience in the |
| The USEA, USDF, USHJA and NARHA all have | | | | horse industry. |
| classified sections where you can post an | | | | It is possible to get a job as a riding instructor if you |
| advertisement under the "Employment" category. | | | | are determined and thorough. It might take time and |
| Pick Up the Phone | | | | you might have to take jobs you don't like very |
| Above I mentioned that it is never a good idea to | | | | much, but eventually you will build a reputation and |
| rely on cold calling alone to get a job as a riding | | | | new opportunities will present themselves. |
| instructor. However, it doesn't hurt to pick up the | | | | |