Equine

Riding Instructor Coach

Read more about Riding Instructor Coach

Riding Instructors and Coaches work with riders of all ages, levels of ability and experience ranging from complete beginners to more experienced competitors, depending on your own abilities.

They will plan, deliver and review safe and competent lessons working with different levels of students as follows:

Trainee Instructor/Level 1 Coach will support senior qualified coaches and instructors to teach students
Assistant Instructor/Level 2 Coach will run coaching sessions for riders from beginners to Novice level, lunging of horse and rider to show improvement, and jumping to Stage 2 Level.
Intermediate Instructor/level 3 Coach should be able to show genuine improvement of horse and rider, demonstrate sound practical business knowledge and be conversant with running a commercial yard.
Instructor/Level 4 Coach is qualified to teach riders up to Advanced Medium Dressage, Intermediate Horse Trials and Foxhunter level show jumping.

Planning, conducting and reviewing coaching sessions is common at all levels of coaching. The different levels of Instructor/Coach will be trained to coach in their specialist area and will prepare, deliver and review sessions in activities such as Dressage, Showjumping, Eventing, Horseball, Reining, Endurance, Driving, Riding for the Disabled, Vaulting, Polo cross and Western.

The role varies at different levels.

Trainee Instructor/Level 1 Coach

Assist other instructors/coaches with lessons
Check the correct tack is being used
Assist riders where necessary
Lead novice riders.

Assistant Instructor/Level 2 Coach

Work with individuals or groups who want to ride for leisure, prepare for competitions or achieve equestrian qualifications
Provide practical demonstrations to support others
Teach classroom theory sessions to support others.

Intermediate Instructor/Level 3 Coach

Work with individuals or groups who want to ride for leisure, prepare for competitions or achieve equestrian qualifications
Provide practical demonstrations to support others
Teach classroom theory sessions to support others
Attend events and be a role model at county/regional level
Prepare, deliver and evaluating annual programmes for rider development
Supervise others, such as Trainee Instructors/Level 1 Coach and Assistant Instructors/Level 2 Coach
Train horses, riding and schooling them from the ground.

Instructor/Level 4 Coach

Manage and assess staff/trainees
Show that you are competent and confident in all aspects of horse care and management
Undertake practical handling skills
Offer sound theoretical knowledge to other coaches/instructors
Manage the business aspects of an equestrian establishment
Train a variety of horses using sound training principles both on the flat and over fences
Work with horses on the ground
Actively compete horses in affiliated competitions.

Working Conditions

An Instructor/Coach will have vast knowledge and skills of handling and riding horses. They will also have lots of experience in different aspects of equine theory and management. The hours of work may vary but usually will include evenings and weekends. The work can also be seasonal depending on location.

A driving licence is often useful. Due to location some instructors work away from home or live in at the riding school.

The work can take place outside on grass, all weather arenas or in indoor arenas.

Salary

Some employers provide accommodation, food, free stabling for their employees’ horses and riding instruction, so individual salaries may vary.

Starting salary:

£12,000

Ending Salary:

£30,000

Getting started

Qualifications and training

Experience and skills

Although there are different ways to enter the industry you could begin as a groom within a stable and progress to Instructor after gaining experience and qualifications.

There are opportunities to gain employment as a trainee instructor/Level 1 Coach, Assistant Instructor/Level 2 Coach or apprentice within a range or riding establishments.

These could be members of Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS). The British Horse Society (BHS) riding schools have to be registered with the local authority but do not have to be members of any organisation. Riding schools can range in size from those with only one instructor to those employing a dozen or more.

Other routes to becoming an Instructor include; college, through competing in a specific discipline such as show jumping or dressage and training with the affiliate body.

What experienced workers can do

Carry out stable yard duties
Complete any administration required at your level of competence
Establish and maintain good customer service and working relationships with others
Monitor personal skills for instructing/coaching practice
Ensure that all coaching is carried out safely, fairly and in a suitable environment
Provide classroom and stable management lectures
Advise on safe and appropriate clothing and conduct
Prepare and deliver theory and practical lessons for individuals or groups at different levels of your own competence
Assess riders at your own level of competence
Give practical demonstrations to others.

Personal qualities you should have

Have a real desire to help people improve
Have a genuine interest in horses and their welfare
Good communication skills
Able to work in a team.

Next steps

A fully qualified Instructor/Coach could progress to become a Senior Instructor/Coach at a riding school, work freelance or elsewhere within their chosen discipline. There may also be opportunities to work abroad.

Useful links

Riding Centre Manager

Read more about Riding Centre Manager

Riding Centre Managers oversee the running of horse riding centres which offer riding and trekking activities and holidays. Some managers also own the venues too.

They are responsible for the organisation, operation and marketing of the centre, and for supervising the care of the horses. The job varies depending on the employer but main tasks include:

Balance the organisation of the riding centre and welfare and care of the animals with marketing and operation
Liaise with local tour operators to enhance business opportunities
Ordering of all supplies including horse food, supplements etc.
Ensuring that the business meets health and safety requirements
Planning and organising all business aspects of the centre, including marketing, administration and finances
Overseeing the management of the horses and ensuring the treks are suitably planned
Arranging daily routines for horse care and stable management
Handling queries, problems and complaints
Recruiting and managing staff, organising work rotas and arranging training.

Working Conditions

Riding Centre Managers usually work long hours, including evenings and weekends. Actual hours vary with the type and size of the centre. They will spend some time working indoors in an office but also work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Trekking centres are situated throughout the UK but are more common in rural parts of the country and in coastal areas.

Salary

Some employers provide accommodation, food, free stabling for their employees’ horses and riding instruction, so individual salaries may vary.

Starting salary:

£16,000

Ending Salary:

£20,000

Getting started

Qualifications and training

Experience and skills

People usually start in related jobs, such as an Assistant Ride Leader, Trainee Instructor, Level 1 Coach or Groom, and work their way up to a management role.

Qualifications are often required, as well as a real interest and enthusiasm for working with horses.

If you are working in the equestrian tourism industry, you can complete equestrian tourism qualifications. These are especially suitable if you take out treks, trail rides or hacks for more experienced riders.

What experienced workers can do

Leadership and decision making
A good riding ability
Thorough knowledge and understanding of stable management
Customer-care
Business administration and management skills and or qualifications
Sound knowledge of horse breeds which are suitable for recreational riding
Maintain appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
Work to relevant animal health and welfare legislations and codes of practice
Knowledge, experience and training in equestrian work.
Maintenance of grasslands for equines
Map reading skills for planning and taking rides.

Personal qualities you should have

Good communication skills
Genuine interest in horses and their welfare
Flexible about working hours and location
Self-motivated
Willing to undertake routine and practical tasks.

Next steps

Riding Centre Managers may also have the opportunity to expand their skills and qualifications. This would depend on the size and type of equestrian establishment they work in.

Other roles could include:

Equine Tourism Examiner
Instructor or Coach
Yard Manager
Horse Transporter
Business Yard Manager.

Useful links

The British Farriers & Blacksmiths Association

Registered Farrier

Read more about Registered Farrier

Farriers work closely with horse owners and vets to prepare horses’ feet and fit shoes. They need practical skills to shoe both normal and defective feet and make shoes suitable for all types of work and working conditions. This involves:
•   Checking the horse's leg, foot and hoof
•   Discussing and agreeing the horse’s shoeing requirements with the owner
•   Cutting away excess hoof growth and make sure the horse is balanced correctly
•   Choosing the most appropriate shoe for the horse relating to its size, foot condition, activity, work and working conditions
•   Fitting the shoe and complete any finishing off work
•   Adjusting the shape of the shoe if necessary using the relevant tools.

Horseshoes are made either by hand or machine and can be fitted hot or cold. Their shape can be adjusted by the Farrier, using a hammer and anvil. Farriers sometimes have to discuss foot treatments with owners and vets and devise corrective measures to compensate for any faulty limb actions.

There are around 2,500 registered Farriers in the UK. Most are self-employed, working for a variety of clients and there is an ongoing demand for their skills. Clients include farmers, racehorse owners, private horse owners, the owners and managers of riding schools and stables, animal attractions and the military police. There may also be the opportunity to train as a Farrier within the Army through the Army's own specific training route.

Qualified Farriers are registered with the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) which can provide a list of all registered Farriers. As most are self-employed, some time is spent organising appointments with customers and finding new customers when necessary as well as ordering stocks and tools used for the job and carrying out general book-keeping and administrative work.

Working Conditions

Farriery is a skilled profession and Registered Farriers are capable of shoeing all types of equine feet and making shoes to suit all types of work and working conditions. The majority of Farriers are self-employed so business skills and customer care are important. Farriery is a regulated profession by law.

Working hours vary from week to week, depending on the needs of their customers. They do most of their work during daylight hours, but may also provide emergency cover which can be at any time of the day or night.

They travel between different customers, visiting farms, riding stables, and livery yards, to carry out their work. A driving licence is necessary as is a vehicle suitable for carrying around a mobile workshop of stock and tools.

Farriery is hard, physical work. It involves bending, lifting and walking, and sometimes working outdoors in all weather conditions.

Salary

Farriers usually charge an hourly rate or negotiate a fee for a whole appointment.

Starting salary:

£16,000

Ending Salary:

£35,000

Getting started

Qualifications and training

Experience and skills

You should have a genuine interest in horses, their care, behaviour and welfare, and enjoy working for different types of customers in a variety of different locations.

To become a Registered Farrier you must complete an Advanced Apprenticeship with an FRC Approved Training Farrier (ATF). You need to find an Approved Training Farrier (ATF) who will employ you for the apprenticeship. Work experience or voluntary work at riding schools, stables or on a farm, is valuable, as is horse ownership and riding skills.

What experienced workers can do

Market your services and find new customers
Manage a small business
Maintain and operate mobile gas and coke fired forges
Make shoemaking tools
Handle and control equines
Assess the overall condition and footcare requirements of the equine
Determine the footcare and shoeing plan for equines
Remove horseshoes and assess wear
Trim and dress hooves
Make and fit horseshoes
Attach horseshoes and finish the shoeing process.

Personal qualities you should have

Good communication skills
Able to use initiative
Able to prioritise work
Able to be flexible and adaptable.
Self-motivated
Be able to work alone or as part of a team.

Next steps

The success of self-employed Farriers depends on them getting enough customers for full-time work. It is also important to build a reputation based on customer satisfaction and recommendation to other horse owners.

Permanent employment may be available in larger riding schools, stables, and horse breeders. There may be promotion opportunities to senior Farrier or to a management position. Overseas work may sometimes be available, especially within the horse breeding and racing field.

One option for career progression is to become an Approved Training Farrier (ATF) and be able to employ and train apprentice Farriers.

To become an ATF you will need to have been qualified for a minimum of 2 years and undertake the ATF course.

Useful links

The Farriers Registration Council

Worshipful Company of Farriers

Jockey

Read more about Jockey

A Jockey is a highly trained professional, contracted by a licensed trainer to ride their horses at public race meetings. They may race either on the flat (on a race track without obstacles) or across jumps (known as National Hunt racing). Jockys usually specialises in either flat or jump racing, although some take part in both.

You would enter the industry as an Apprentice Jockey then work with a Jockey, Trainer or Owner to become a Jockey yourself after registering and gaining experience.

Work would include:

Planning racing strategies with the owner and trainer
Taking advice from the trainer on tactics to suit the horse and the track
Riding every day to train and exercise the horses
Riding at flat or jump races at race tracks around the UK.

Working Conditions

A Jockey would work around 40 to 45 hours a week depending on the number of races they take part in. There will be a significant amount of travelling involved as they attend races at courses throughout the UK.

The work is physically demanding, often involving early starts and late finishes.

A driving licence may be useful.

Salary

Salaries vary with experience, qualifications and between companies, but here's a guide to what you can expect.

Starting salary:

£12,000

Ending Salary:

£16,000

Getting started

Qualifications and training

Experience and skills

Jockeys usually start off working as a stable hand (also known as groom), work rider or as an apprentice, doing tasks like filling hay nets, sweeping the yard, mucking out stables, grooming, feeding and watering horses, and taking horses through exercises.

A Jockey’s weight limit is about 9 stone 7lbs as a Jump Jockey and about 8 stone as a Flat Jockey.

The first step to become a Professional Jockey is to become employed on a racing yard as an Apprentice (flat racing) or Conditional Jockey (Jump Racing) and then attend training courses.

An Apprentice or Conditional Jockey receives training on the job. The trainer is responsible for choosing suitable horses to ride and deciding when riders are competent and ready to race, usually after about two years.

Apprentice /Conditional Jockeys then apply to the British Horseracing Authority for a license to ride. This includes a 5-day residential Apprentice or Conditional License course and a medical at the BRS in Newmarket or the NRC in Doncaster.

Once the license, is awarded, an apprentice or Conditional Jockey would complete the Apprenticeship at the trainer's yard. You would usually do this between the ages of 16 and 25 (27 for racing over jumps), after which you can become a Professional Jockey.

To keep the license, Jockeys then need to continue their development by taking a 4-day Apprentice or Conditional Continuation course and an advanced Apprentice or Conditional course.

What experienced workers can do

Identifying, planning and setting programmes to improve your technical skills, physical capabilities and sporting commitments
Recognise signs of equine illness and deliver basic health care treatment to horses
Introduce young horses to equipment for the schooling of racehorses
Ride racehorses to improve performance
Assist with designing training programmes for racehorses
A high level of skill in riding and handling horses
Maintaining the health and well-being of equines.

Personal qualities you should have

The ability to work well with others
Good eyesight and fast reaction speeds
Determination and dedication
Fitness, strength and stamina.

Next steps

There are more than 550 racing stables around the country, mainly in rural areas. Employment prospects for trained stable hands are usually good but progression to apprentice Jockey is difficult and becoming a successful Professional Jockey even more so.

A Professional Jockey may work for one trainer or owner, or ride for different trainers and owners as a self-employed jockey. There are opportunities to work for stables overseas, especially in Dubai, Japan and the USA.

Jockeys usually retire from riding by age 45 (35 for jump jockeys). At the end of the racing career, Jockeys can get advice on retraining and employment from the Jockeys Employment and Training Scheme.

Useful links

The British Farriers & Blacksmiths Association

Approved Training Farrier

Read more about Approved Training Farrier

Approved Training Farriers work as Registered Farriers but also employ, train and supervise the work and professional behaviour of Apprentice Farriers.

The level of supervision is the responsibility of the ATF and can range between:

Direct Supervision - The apprentice is working in the same area as the ATF and is being observed
General Supervision – the apprentice is working in the same premises as the AFT, who can be located quickly and easily
Under Direction - the apprentice is working alone using his/her own initiative but the ATF has discussed the shoeing plan prior to work being undertaken.

An ATF will support their apprentices to achieve each stage of the Farriery Apprenticeship:

Mandatory college assessments
Level 3 Diploma in Farriery (work-based),Farriery Advanced Apprenticeship requirements including Level 2 Key Skills
Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers Examination
The period of training prescribed by the Farriers Registration Council (currently four years and two months).

ATFs work closely with College tutors, assessors and verifiers, Field Officers, Horse owners and Vets.

Working Conditions

Farriers working hours vary from week to week, depending on the needs of their customers and usually include weekends. They do most of their work during daylight hours; however, they may also provide emergency cover which can be at any time of the day or night.

They travel between different customers' workplaces, such as farms, riding stables, and livery yards, to carry out their work. A driving licence is necessary as is a vehicle suitable for carrying around a mobile workshop of stock and tools.

Farriery is hard, physical work. It involves bending, lifting and walking, and sometimes working outdoors in all weather conditions.

ATFs will often spend additional time with their apprentices in the forge to provide practical training in shoe and tool making.

Salary

Salaries vary with experience, qualifications and between companies, but here's a guide to what you can expect.

Starting salary:

£16,000

Ending Salary:

£35,000

Getting started

Qualifications and training

Experience and skills

To become an ATF you will need to have been qualified as a Registered Farrier for a minimum of 4 years before applying to become an ATF. Before this you will have undertaken the Advanced Apprenticeship in Farriery.

What experienced workers can do

Market your services and find new customers
Manage a small business
Provide coaching and mentoring to an apprentice
Maintain and operate mobile gas and coke fired forges
Handle and control equines
Assess the overall condition and footcare requirements of the equine
Determine the footcare and shoeing plan for the equine
Remove horseshoes and assess wear
Trim and dress hooves
Make and fit horseshoes
Attach horseshoes and finish the shoeing process.

Personal qualities you should have

Have a genuine interest in horses and their welfare
Good communication skills
Good organisation skills
Flexible and adaptable
Self-motivated
Be able to work alone or as part of a team.

Next steps

ATFs will be self-employed or may work for a large organisation. There may be opportunities to move into lecturing or providing a consultancy service.

Useful links

The Farriers Registration Council