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Riding Instructor Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

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Riding Instructor information

See Connecticut salary details

$8

$15

$26

How much do riding instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for riding instructor in Connecticut is $15.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.70 and $16.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a riding instructor do?

As a riding instructor, your primary responsibilities are to provide lessons to students. You often work with both the horse and the rider to teach them skills and help them bond as a pair. Your duties include sharing technique and teaching riders how to communicate with their horses. You also teach horse ownership skills, like saddling, grooming, and cleaning stables. Although no formal qualifications are required, you may need certification through an entity such as the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) or the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) to find employment. Other than horsemanship skills, you also need excellent communication and organizational skills.

What does a riding instructor do?

A riding instructor teaches individuals or groups how to ride horses safely and effectively. Their responsibilities include instructing students on proper riding techniques, horse care, and safety procedures. They may work with riders of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced, and can specialize in disciplines such as dressage, jumping, or western riding. Riding instructors also ensure the well-being of both the students and horses during lessons. They often work at riding schools, stables, or private facilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a riding instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Riding Instructor, you need strong equestrian skills, knowledge of horse care, and relevant certifications such as BHS or CHA accreditation. Familiarity with safety protocols, tack and equipment, and lesson planning tools is essential. Patience, clear communication, and the ability to motivate and build trust with students are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure effective, safe instruction and foster positive learning experiences for riders of all levels.

What are some common challenges riding instructors face when working with students of varying skill levels?

Riding Instructors often work with students who have a wide range of abilities, from beginners to advanced riders. A common challenge is tailoring lessons to meet each student's individual needs while ensuring safety and engagement for everyone. Instructors must be patient, adaptable, and skilled at clear communication, as well as adept at managing group dynamics and addressing nervousness or fear in new riders. Building trust with both students and horses is essential, and progress may require creative problem-solving and ongoing assessment of each rider’s development.

What is the difference between Riding Instructor vs Horse Trainer?

AspectRiding InstructorHorse Trainer
CertificationsRiding certifications, teaching credentialsHorse training certifications, equine behavior knowledge
Work EnvironmentEquestrian centers, riding schools, stablesTraining facilities, farms, stables
Employer & Industry UsageEquestrian schools, riding academies, private lessonsBreeding farms, training yards, professional trainers

While both Riding Instructors and Horse Trainers work with horses, Riding Instructors focus on teaching riders of all skill levels how to ride safely and effectively. Horse Trainers primarily work on training horses to improve their behavior, performance, or suitability for specific disciplines. The roles often overlap, but the main difference lies in their focus: rider education versus horse development.

More about Riding Instructor jobs

What are popular job titles related to Riding Instructor jobs in Connecticut?

For Riding Instructor jobs in Connecticut, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Riding Instructor jobs in Connecticut look for?

The top searched job categories for Riding Instructor jobs in Connecticut are:

What are popular job titles related to Riding Instructor jobs in CT?

For Riding Instructor jobs in CT, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Riding Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Riding Instructor job openings in Connecticut as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% As Needed, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $32,085 per year, or $15.4 per hour.

Reg. Riding Instructor

Middletown, CT • On-site

Hospital for Special Care
Health Care and Social Assistance • 501 - 1,000 employees

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

506th of 1,064 rated hospitals

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students

Learn more about Hospital for Special Careexternal

Part-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Position Location:
Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding CenterScheduled Weekly Hours:
4Work Shift:
First ShiftDepartment:
Manes and Motions Riding Center
We are dedicated to creating an environment of care and engagement that makes us one of the most desirable places to work, providing exceptional care to each patient each and every day!
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Required: PATH Certified Instructor.
  • Required: Adult and Child CPR Certification.
  • Required: First Aid Certification.
  • Required: High School Diploma.
  • Preferred: One year experience in the field of equine-assisted activities.
  • Preferred: One year experience teaching horseback riding skills to able bodied riders.

JOB SUMMARY
Instructs equine-assisted sessions and un-mounted program activities in a safe, professional manner. Develops rider goals and weekly objectives and documents weekly progress for each rider. Submits written evaluation on each participant at the end of each semester. Adheres to Manes & Motions policies and PATH standards at all times. Attends and participates in staff meetings, program functions and trainings. Represents the program in a positive and professional manner at all times. Communicates needs or changes in regards to participants, horses, volunteers and equipment with appropriate staff.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
  • Stand or walk 80-100% of each shift.
  • Sit 0-20% of each shift.
  • Able to jog alongside a horse for short distances if acting as a side-walker for a rider.
  • Transfer participant from mounting ramp/block to horse and from horse to the ground/ramp in order to mount/dismount each rider.
  • Perform physical skills including lifting, reaching, bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting and pushing/pulling up to 90% of each shift.
  • Grasp with both hands-on frequent basis to handle equipment and assist participants and volunteers.
  • Lift and carry up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
  • Fine manipulation is required for writing and computer usage.
  • Maintain strength and endurance as related to the physical demands of the work environment.

COGNITIVE DEMANDS
  • Job requires a high level of communication skill including expression of abstract/complex ideas, use of negotiation, active listening and an ability to dialogue with multiple parties.
  • Job requires independent problem identification, problem solving techniques, and adaptability. Abstract reasoning and quick decision making is required.
  • A high degree of selective attention, discernment, perception and concentration is necessary.
  • Job requires a working knowledge of the disabilities served.
  • Job requires ability to adjust and prioritize schedule to adapt to events as needed.
  • Job requires basic writing proficiency needed for written reports including accident/incident reports, weekly goals, objectives, and progress notes and the ability to express self clearly.

WORK DEMANDS
  • Job requires working both outdoors and indoors as dictated by weather conditions and program needs.
  • There may be occasional exposure to body fluids and blood borne pathogens and moderate exposure to dust and allergens in both outdoor and indoor environments.
  • There may be a need to respond to medical or behavioral emergency situations. Job requires working with others listed in principle relationships (Section III).
  • Schedule fluctuation is frequent and at times unpredictable during each semester and when inclement weather is present.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Adheres to regulations, policies, standards of practice and procedure for safety, infection control maintenance and PATH standards.
  • Effectively implements first aid measures, using appropriate equipment.
  • Communicates participant, horse, facility and equipment issues, problems to Facility Coordinator or designee.
  • Communicates volunteer issues, problems to the volunteer coordinator or designee.
  • Develops and implements an IRP for each participant according to their individual goals and abilities.
  • Documents weekly progress of each participant and submits a written summary of such progress at the end of each semester.
  • Provides on-going education and safety awareness to volunteers.
  • Participates in developing weekly themes and the daily ring set-up/breakdown for each theme.

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