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Riding Instructor Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

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Riding Instructor information

See Boston, MA salary details

$10

$17

$30

How much do riding instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for riding instructor in Boston, MA is $17.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.67 and $18.80 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 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 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 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
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Riding Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Riding Instructor job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 53% Full Time, 42% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,642 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

Riding Instructor

Easter Seals of Massachusetts, Inc.

Bridgewater, MA

Part-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Riding Instructor

Easterseals Massachusetts is a well-established nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure children and adults with disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play. We are seeking a part-time Riding Instructor to join our team at Equestrian Center at Easterseals Massachusetts in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Riding Instructors will provide traditional English and adaptive horseback riding instruction and equine-assisted activities at the 20-acre Equestrian Center on The Bridge Center campus. Instructors will offer fun and safe lessons while enhancing a participant's physical, emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral, and educational skills. PATH CTRI and/or ESMHL certification is preferred.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Assess and develop scaffolded goals for new participants (mounted and/or unmounted)
  • Create a lesson plan and adjust throughout the lesson based on participant needs
  • Instruct a diverse population of both individual and group lessons on afternoons, evenings, and/or weekends
  • Track participant progress through record logs, rider evaluations, and subsequent lesson plans
  • Set up and take down lesson obstacles and manipulatives as necessary
  • Groom, tack, untack, warm-up/exercise equines for lessons
  • Demonstrate proactive equine behavior management in a lesson setting
  • Identify unsoundness in a horse at all gaits
  • Address basic training and schooling of horses regularly
  • Update horse usage logs in coordination with Equestrian Center Director
  • Identify basic tack components and horse diet, health and anatomy
  • Fit equipment to equine and participant
  • Conduct equipment and participant safety checks before and throughout a lesson
  • Respond to emergencies (emergency dismounts, equine first aid)
  • Assist and direct volunteer groomers, sidewalkers and leaders as necessary
  • Follow all safety protocols, demonstrating and modeling safe work behavior while utilizing proper body mechanics
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and collaboratively with Equestrian Center staff and volunteers
  • Manage participant issues during assigned periods within the barn environment
  • Implement effective teaching techniques and model appropriate interpersonal communication
  • Manage volunteers, sidewalkers and leaders with clear directions before, during and after a lesson
  • Foster participant educational and interpersonal development while evaluating progress towards riding objectives
  • Participate actively in Easterseals MA meetings, events and other activities
  • Follow the guidelines established for the ethical care, training and maintenance of equines
  • Provide an optimal environment for equine participation in mounted sessions
  • Handle and tack an equine safely and appropriately for the situation at hand
  • Demonstrate safe and appropriate arena etiquette
  • Instruct for a balanced, independent seat whenever possible without training aids

Qualifications:

  • Massachusetts Riding Instructors License
  • PATH TRI License; or working towards
  • CPR/AED Certification
  • Experience working in an equine setting in a recognized public or private professional agency
  • Knowledge of:
    • the basic principles and techniques of equine-assisted recreation.
    • the types and uses of materials & equipment used in equine activities
    • safety practices and procedures followed in general equine activities
    • principles of growth and development over the life span and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each participant's requirements related to age specific needs
    • motivational riding techniques and positive reinforcement

Preferred Experience:

  • Demonstrated 4+ years instructional experience in a professional equine setting (outside of backyard barns)
  • Knowledge and skills regarding age-specific physiological changes and developmental needs
  • Established record of adhering to a tight schedule
  • Experience working with children and young adults with disabilities in an equine or other capacity
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Equine Studies or equivalent

Additional Requirements:

Easterseals Massachusetts conducts extensive background checks and professional references for all potential employees. If selected for hire, candidates must be able to provide a recent physical indicating the ability to perform the essential functions of the job either with or without accommodations and required immunizations.

Easterseals Massachusetts is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. We base all employment decisions on each individual's capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetics, or any other legally protected characteristic.

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