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Horse riding instructors teach students skills in
horsemanship, including proper technique, grooming and equine health. They
require experience in horsemanship and possibly competition.
A horse riding instructor instructs students in
horsemanship and specific riding skills to prepare them for equestrian
competitions and specialized events at the amateur, collegiate and/or
professional
level. Instructors may work with
individuals or teams in school athletic departments, stables, ranches,
camps, or independent facilities. Extensive riding and competition
experience, professional certification, and/or formal education can increase
an instructor's professional efficacy and earning
potential.
ANZSCO ID: 452313
Alternative names: Horse Riding Coach,
Specialisations: Dressage Instructor,
Polo Coach, Show Jumping Instructor.
Knowledge, skills and attributes
-
the ability to communicate well with all age
groups
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patience and the skills to motivate and encourage
people
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the ability to remain calm under pressure
-
business and clerical skills, if self-employed
(Source:
Photopin)
Duties and Tasks
The main duties of a horse riding instructor
involve helping students learn and master specialized riding skills, with an
emphasis on assisting students in developing proper technique and form.
Instructors also help promote safety for horse and
rider. At minimum, a horse riding instructor may
teach the basics of horsemanship and riding to beginner, first-time, or
one-time riders; at the most advanced level, an
instructor prepares professional athletes for national and
international equestrian competitions in disciplines such as saddle seat
equitation, dressage, Western, hunter, combined driving, vaulting, and
English pleasure.
An instructor works with a student in lessons or
training sessions to enrich the student's understanding of the relationship
between horse and rider; and to improve the student's riding ability and
performance. In addition to riding techniques,
instructors may teach:
-
Horse feeding, grooming, and care
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Health issues
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Human and equine anatomy and physiology
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Training and communication
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Proper use of tack and equipment
Your day-to-day duties may involve:
-
teaching people who want to ride as a leisure
activity
-
helping prepare for competitions like show
jumping, eventing or dressage
-
making sure health and safety rules are followed
-
helping horses and riders to warm up and cool
down during training
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developing training programmes suited to
individual riders
-
giving practical demonstrations
-
helping riders correct problems
-
giving feedback and keeping records of rider
development
-
assessing riders who are working towards
qualifications
You may also teach assistant instructors, supervise
work in a stable, or combine instructing with working as a groom.
(Source:
Photopin)
Working conditions
At times the instructor may get on horses to demonstrate correct technique.
They also teach horsemanship skills such as grooming, saddling, and tack
cleaning.
Instructors may offer group or private lessons. They are usually responsible
for scheduling lessons, collecting lesson fees, and keeping track of
payments. They may also schedule other instructors in the discipline to
visit their facility and provide training clinics, or provide special
training clinics themselves.
Some instructors offer training services for young horses or those being
trained for a new discipline. They may also be involved with barn management
duties such as turning out horses to paddocks or pastures, wrapping legs,
feeding, and performing basic medical treatments.
Riding instructors often travel to provide coaching for their students at
competitions and shows. They must be familiar with the rules for competition
in their discipline and make sure their students comply with those rules.
The instructor may also drive a horse van to transport horses to the events.
It is common for instructors to work varied hours including evenings and
weekends. Unless the facility has an indoor riding arena, you must be
prepared to work outside in changing weather conditions. Patience and good
communication skills are key traits of a good instructor.
Career Options
Riding instructors can work in a wide variety of locations such as
equestrian centers, camps, training facilities, ranches, and colleges or
universities. Some instructors work exclusively as clinicians, traveling to
various riding centres.
Instructors can specialize in many different disciplines such as dressage,
hunt seat, show jumping, saddle seat, western pleasure, reining, cross
country, driving, and vaulting.
Some instructors specialize in working exclusively with young students or
adults. Some go on to coach intercollegiate equestrian teams. Some obtain
additional certifications to coach therapeutic riding lessons for
handicapped students.
Education and training/entrance requirements
No formal training is required to be a riding instructor, but many
instructors were upper-level competitors in their division of the sport and
have a certificate or degree to enhance their credentials.
While a college degree is not necessary for this career, several colleges
offer equine programs.
Did You Know?
Every dressage horse at the Olympics must compete
with two metal bits in its mouth, one of which is a lever that tightens
a metal chain under the chin.
Called a double bridle, this head-gear demands more rider skill than a
simple (snaffle) bridle. With two bits in place, horses are highly
motivated to open their mouths to find comfort, especially when the
reins are pulled, but in dressage competition, mouth-opening attracts
penalties.
Don’t be misled, this is a good rule because it penalises rough riding
manifested when the horse gapes or lolls out its tongue.
To avoid penalties, many riders crank the jaws together with a system of
leather pulleys (a crank noseband). This device is permitted under
noseband rules written before cranking was conceived, even though it
increases pain and discomfort from the bits.
This pain and discomfort, in turn, calls the horse’s attention to the
bits and boosts the rider’s control of the horse, which is why such
nosebands appeal not only to dressage riders but to many show jumpers
and eventers.
Relentless pressure from nosebands applies pressure similar to that from
a tourniquet and can reach levels associated in humans with tissue and
nerve damage. Nosebands are padded to avoid cutting the skin, but inside
the mouth, they force the cheeks against (naturally) sharp molars and
are associated with lacerations and ulcers.
(Source:
The Conversation)
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