riding instructor?

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SarahRicoh

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Well im exploring possible career options & the more i think about it,more i consider teaching.
Id love to combine horses & teaching by being a riding instructor soooo any advice please?

All i know is you have to do a lot of bhs exams & maybe 500 hours teaching? Can it be fitted in around a job? Can exams be funded? Are they expensive etc....

Also is it a good job (personal opinions i know) as no point me training to be one if a) i cant make a living out of it/no market for them or
b) its awful & not worth it.

Opiniins/advice really appreciated :)

*chicken nuggets & chips for all who read/help* ;)
 
Having never been a riding instructor I can't comment on a lot.I do think you can take the BHS courses etc. on a part time basis.I think before you start though, you have to consider whether in fact you like people.You will meet a huge range of types ages etc to teach.Would you like that? The riding school or private client might keep their horses in a way that, while not cruel, you don't personally like.Again can you cope?Free lance instructors that do well usually have more than their AI.Most have strong competitive backgrounds as well.
 
My partner is an instructor, and you need to be prepared for an uncertain income!
The money per hour is good, but you can go from a decent wage one week to none the week after, people go on holiday or the weathers rubbish etc...

The only way to make a decent income is either work for someone, or train to a high level and preferably compete at a high level as well.
Its alot of work, and very uncertain. My OH enjoys it but we sometime wish we had a steady income like everyone else our age!!
 
You can certainly start your BHS exams on a part time basis, stage 1 is fairly basic but you do need to do things the BHS way, it is not cheap so preparation is important, have a look on the website for more details.
Stage 3, which you need to complete your BHSAI is much more detailed and most people doing it will be based at a yard or at college, the teaching side of things is now fairly comprehensive and you need to do an exam as well as have a teaching portfolio.
If you enjoy teaching why not see if there is a good riding school near you that would let you observe some lessons and they will probably let you lead in a childs group to get some idea of what it entails, most RIs start in a RS combining general yard duties with teaching so it would mean starting at the bottom as you develop your skills and knowledge.
If you have done your PC tests that would be useful as B test will enable you to teach at PC rallies, which would also be a thing to go and watch if you can.
 
I trained years ago so not sure if it's the same now as I stopped teaching 6 -7 years ago. I done my bhs exams through a yts which meant I worked as a working pupil full time for about 40 pw if I was lucky :( and got my training and exams as part of the package :). As some one said the income is hit and miss one week great, another week poor. I worked on a rs and done private livery lessons and schooling sessions. The wage for teaching that I got was good and for the schooling was double the teaching although the rs instructors on another rs in the area got would be now minimum wage for teaching :(
The better you become and get results both clients and your own comp record and word of mouth is important for freelance the more you will be able to charge :)
 
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