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Riding Instructor Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

A love of the sport and the desire to continually improve both personal riding skills and teaching ... Work Environment: • The instructor work environment is primarily outdoors in the winter weather.

Riding Instructor information

See Michigan salary details

$8

$14

$24

How much do riding instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for riding instructor in Michigan is $14.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.55 and $15.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 is the 20% rule in horseback riding?

The 20% rule in horseback riding, often used by riding instructors, suggests that riders should focus on improving no more than 20% of their skills or techniques at a time to ensure steady progress and avoid becoming overwhelmed. This approach helps riders develop consistent, safe riding habits and build confidence gradually while working on specific areas such as position, aids, or control.

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 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 highest paying equestrian job?

The highest paying equestrian jobs are often senior positions such as professional trainers, show jumpers, or eventing riders, especially those competing at the international level or working with elite clients. These roles typically require advanced skills, certifications, and a strong reputation, with salaries varying based on experience, success, and location.

How much do path riding instructors make?

Path riding instructors typically earn between $20,000 and $40,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the number of students they teach. Many instructors supplement their income through private lessons, certifications, and working at riding schools or equestrian centers.

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.

How do I become a riding instructor?

To become a riding instructor, you typically need to gain riding experience, obtain relevant certifications such as those from equestrian organizations, and develop teaching skills. Many instructors start as stable staff or assistant trainers before pursuing formal instructor certification programs, which often require passing practical and written exams.

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.

What are popular job titles related to Riding Instructor jobs in Michigan? For Riding Instructor jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What are popular job titles related to Riding Instructor jobs in MI? For Riding Instructor jobs in MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Riding Instructor job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $29,397 per year, or $14.1 per hour.
PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Lansing School District

Lansing, MI • On-site

$20/hr

Other

Posted 9 days ago


Lansing School District (Michigan) rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

250th of 616 rated elementary and secondary schools


Job description

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District's team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.
In Pursuit of This Mission, we are looking to hire a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. This individual will be responsible for planning and leading safe, effective therapeutic riding lessons in accordance with PATH Intl. standards. The role includes assessing participant needs, developing lesson plans, supervising volunteers, ensuring horse welfare, and maintaining a positive, supportive environment. The instructor will work collaboratively with staff and families to support participant goals while fostering horsemanship skills, confidence, and independence.
Qualifications
  • High school diploma required, college degree preferred;
  • PATH Intl. CTRI Certification required;
  • Certified in CPR and First Aid (or willing to obtain);
  • 3 to 5 years of previous horse experience required;
  • Previous experience with students with disabilities required;
  • Demonstrated ability to work in multiethnic and multicultural learning environment;
  • Proven ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing;
  • Proven ability to prioritize tasks based on performance goals;
  • Excellent problem-solving and time management skills;
  • Reliable, dependable, and self-starter with a growth mindset;
  • Valid driver's license and good driving record required;
  • Reliable transportation; and
  • Willingness to perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Job Responsibilities
  • Facilitate therapeutic riding services for ECL clients following a pre-planned lesson plan to ensure timely, efficient, and impactful classes;
  • Oversee preparation and clean up of each lesson;
  • Review and maintain accurate rider records according to standards;
  • Utilize horses under the direction of the Program Manager and Arena Programming Coordinator;
  • Report any issues with horses to the Herd and Barn Coordinator as soon as possible;
  • Assist in maintaining orderly stalls, barns, equipment, and arena following proper cleaning protocols;
  • Maintain a supportive, friendly and encouraging environment to staff, students, volunteers, parents/guardians;
  • Direct lesson volunteers in a positive, respectful manner before, during, and after lessons. Empower volunteers to provide the best possible experience for the participant;
  • Maintain an environment conducive to volunteer, student, staff, and horse safety;
  • Be familiar with First Aid/emergency procedures for horses and guests;
  • Attend staff meetings, ECL functions, fundraisers, and trainings as appropriate;
  • Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands
  • Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear;
  • Standing and walking for long periods of time in uneven footing;
  • Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl;
  • Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds;
  • Regularly required to use close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision. Must also have the ability to adjust focus.

$20 - $20 an hour
1 fte
At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.
We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.
Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.
External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.
Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest.
Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!
This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).

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