Riding instructor

tinkandlily

tinkandlily

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Hi all, i was wandering if i need to do the BHS exams to be a riding instrutor/horse trainer, i know they will help, as people are more likey to ask for a BHS trained instructor, but are they nessesery?
 
I think you're better off qualified (perhaps biased as I am!), as you can get work from word of mouth locally, and be well known, but if you ever move to another area (who knows who you may meet, or where you may like to go..) you're just a nobody.. I'd do the exams like you are, but nothing to stop you teaching in the meantime if you can get the work. Make sure you're insured though, or teaching for a PC/RC/ insured school..
 
Ah thanks, i didn't think about insurance, silly me, i am a gold member of the bhs so will that insurance cover me or do i have to find somewhere else?
 
Unless you are a very good rider, and well known in your local area you will probably find it difficult to pick up clients. You will also have to factor in the extra cost of insurance which may be more expensive if you are not qualified.
 
BHS gold insurance will not cover you. As a fully qualified BHS instructor on the BHS register my insurance through the BHS costs over £200 per year. I would imagine it would cost more if you are not qualified.
 
charlimouse said:
BHS gold insurance will not cover you. As a fully qualified BHS instructor on the BHS register my insurance through the BHS costs over £200 per year. I would imagine it would cost more if you are not qualified.
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Thanks, i'll probably wait untill i have done the exams, just wondering if i could start to earn while i do the exams.
 
Personally this really annoys me that people can go out and teach without any exams or anyway of proving that they are capable and responsible. I have spent thousands of pounds on my training over the past 25yrs , sat on hundreds of courses, invested in lessons for myself to improve(weekly) and travelled to top class trainers to pick up techniques etc. sat and spent time / worked with several FBHS watching and learning from them just improve my own instructing, and yet Joe Public can just stick a card up on the wall and declare themselves instructors. This is my job and business.

Insurance is a must, you are totally responsible for anyone that you teach. First aid personally I think is also a must, always be prepared for an accident(remember you will be the first person at the scene). And of course if you want to teach children or vunerable adults then sit on a child protection course and get yourself familiar with this side of the law and regulations. A CBR check is also required by PC / RC and Riding schools etc. or any respnsible parent!!

There is a bit more to it then just grabbing a rider and telling them 'heels down' Think do you personally have the experiance to be able to tell some one how to fix a problem? Have you sat on a wide range of horses to feel what is happening underneath you, be able to spot a problem , explain things in a way that people understand. Can you get on a horse and show an improvement? Can you adapt to diffrent people and adapt your instruction to suit them?. Are you experianced in teaching a group and keeping control of them and getting the point of the lesson across? Sorry but like any job there is a whole host of things that go on behind the scenes!
And least not forget that if you are out there teaching you are running a business and will need books, records, tax returns, business bank accounts etc etc etc !

Keep up with the training and if you are the right person for the type of job then many doors will open for you ! Good Luck
 
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Thanks abina, i do agree that you need some qualifications to prove you are capable. I have worked with a variety of horses and have literaily ridden horses ranging from shetlands to shires, i have worked on a dealing yard, and it was my job to break, school, and train problem horses.
I have taught a couple of friends to ride with success, so i know i am capable.
 
abina said:
Personally this really annoys me that people can go out and teach without any exams or anyway of proving that they are capable and responsible. I have spent thousands of pounds on my training over the past 25yrs , sat on hundreds of courses, invested in lessons for myself to improve(weekly) and travelled to top class trainers to pick up techniques etc. sat and spent time / worked with several FBHS watching and learning from them just improve my own instructing, and yet Joe Public can just stick a card up on the wall and declare themselves instructors. This is my job and business.

Insurance is a must, you are totally responsible for anyone that you teach. First aid personally I think is also a must, always be prepared for an accident(remember you will be the first person at the scene). And of course if you want to teach children or vunerable adults then sit on a child protection course and get yourself familiar with this side of the law and regulations. A CBR check is also required by PC / RC and Riding schools etc. or any respnsible parent!!

There is a bit more to it then just grabbing a rider and telling them 'heels down' Think do you personally have the experiance to be able to tell some one how to fix a problem? Have you sat on a wide range of horses to feel what is happening underneath you, be able to spot a problem , explain things in a way that people understand. Can you get on a horse and show an improvement? Can you adapt to diffrent people and adapt your instruction to suit them?. Are you experianced in teaching a group and keeping control of them and getting the point of the lesson across? Sorry but like any job there is a whole host of things that go on behind the scenes!
And least not forget that if you are out there teaching you are running a business and will need books, records, tax returns, business bank accounts etc etc etc !

Keep up with the training and if you are the right person for the type of job then many dors will open for you ! Good Luck
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Couldn't have put it better myself! If nothing else, the BHS exams give you a very good grounding as an instructor, and the average person looking for an instructor will know that you are qualified to a certain level. You absolutely must be insured to teach whether you are qualified or not. I can safely say that having my BHSAI has been the most useful qualification that I possess, and although I have worked in plenty of other non horsey positions, I have been able to find plenty of freelance work as an instructor because I have the BHS qualifications
 
I would contact your local pony club - especially if you were a member, or local school - thats what I did years ago while I was training for my AI. It would all help with your experience, and you'd be able to teach under their insurance...

I do agree about it being annoying when people go on about how you don't need to be qualified - 90% of the time its by people who are well aware that they aren't ready to pass the exams, and can't be bothered to put the work in! I've got a degree in languages, but it doesn't make me a qualified french teacher!
 
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