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Temporary Horse Riding Instructor Jobs in Urbandale, IA

Temporary Horse Riding Instructor information

See Urbandale, IA salary details

$8

$15

$26

How much do temporary horse riding instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for temporary horse riding instructor in Urbandale, IA is $15.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.65 and $16.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a temporary horse riding instructor?

Temporary horse riding instructors are equestrian professionals hired on a short-term basis to teach individuals or groups how to ride horses. They may fill in for permanent staff during busy seasons or cover for absences at riding schools, camps, or private stables. Their responsibilities include teaching riding techniques, ensuring rider and horse safety, and sometimes assisting with horse care and stable management. These positions often require strong communication skills, riding expertise, and relevant certifications. Temporary instructors may work with riders of all ages and experience levels.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a temporary horse riding instructor?

To thrive as a Temporary Horse Riding Instructor, you need a solid background in horsemanship, riding techniques, and equine safety, often supported by instructor certifications such as BHS or CHA. Familiarity with stable management software and safety equipment is typically required. Patience, effective communication, and adaptability are essential soft skills for teaching riders of varying ages and abilities. These skills ensure safe, engaging lessons and a positive learning environment for both riders and horses.

What are some common challenges faced by temporary horse riding instructors, and how can they be addressed?

Temporary horse riding instructors often navigate challenges such as quickly building rapport with new students and adapting to different teaching environments. Because assignments may be short-term, instructors must be flexible and able to assess riders’ abilities rapidly to provide effective instruction. They also need to familiarize themselves with various stable routines and horse personalities in a short time. Clear communication, strong organizational skills, and a proactive approach to learning about each facility’s protocols can help temporary instructors succeed and make a positive impact.

What is the difference between Temporary Horse Riding Instructor vs Stable Hand?

AspectTemporary Horse Riding InstructorStable Hand
CertificationsRiding instructor certifications, equine safety trainingBasic equine care, safety training
Work EnvironmentRiding lessons, training sessions, riding arenasStable, barn, outdoor paddocks
Job FocusTeaching riding skills, rider safetyHorse care, grooming, stable maintenance

Temporary Horse Riding Instructors primarily focus on teaching riding skills and ensuring rider safety, often working in riding arenas or training environments. Stable Hands handle daily horse care, grooming, and stable maintenance. While both roles require equine safety knowledge, instructors need riding certifications, whereas Stable Hands focus on general horse care. The roles are complementary but distinct in responsibilities and work settings.

How to become a temporary horse riding instructor?

To become a temporary horse riding instructor, you typically need relevant riding experience, often demonstrated through certifications such as CPR and first aid, and sometimes a riding instructor certification from a recognized organization. Employers may also require knowledge of safety protocols, teaching skills, and the ability to work flexible hours in a stable or riding school environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Horse Riding Instructor jobs in Urbandale, IA?

The most popular types of Horse Riding Instructor jobs in Urbandale, IA are:

Resident Treatment Technician Security - Temporary

State of Iowa

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$21.98 - $32.43/hr

Temporary

Re-posted 22 days ago


State Of Iowa rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 83 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 50 rated states


Job description

Job Description This is a Temporary non merit position with the Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care in Cherokee (Mental Health Institute CMHI). The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI) is seeking a Temporary Resident Treatment Technician - Security to join our team. This is a temporary position limited to 780 hours per fiscal year.

The Resident Treatment Technician - Security, alongside ward staff, will provide safety and security and lead the work of Resident Treatment Worker (RTW) staff as delegated by the Registered Nurse and/or Charge Nurse. This position provides a staff presence on the wards, responds to emergency codes, and guides the work of RTW staff by way of mentoring and training as it relates to responding to emergency situations to promote a safe environment at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute. Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

Preference will be given to candidates with at least 18 months of relevant experience. CMHI provides active inpatient treatment to adults in need of acute psychiatric care. The facility offers several services including individualized treatment plans.

Support for patients with special education needs to continue their education is provided, and individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan. Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well. For more CMHI info: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/cherokee-mental-health-institute Cherokee Highlights CMHI is located in Cherokee, a city of approximately 5,000 set in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley in Northwest Iowa

Residents enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Little Sioux River which winds through town providing a backdrop to a well-developed parks and trails system. In addition, Cherokee has over 1,000 acres of land devoted to parks and outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Cherokee is the home of the first accredited museum and planetarium in Iowa, Sandford Museum and Planetarium, established in 1951.

Cherokee may be the smallest town in the world to have its own symphony orchestra. This 60-member orchestra has been referred to as the "best kept secret in Northwest Iowa." Cherokee is home to Western Iowa Tech Community College and 1 hour or less from other educational institutions including Morningside College, Northwestern College, Buena Vista University, and Dordt College. This quintessential Iowa town is 1 hour from Sioux City and 2 hours from Omaha

Check out these 10 Reasons to Move to Iowa. The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer HHS values those with "lived experience" and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the HHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired - Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify and Right to Work The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov. Minimum Qualification Requirements Experience equal to eighteen months of full time work as a nursing or therapeutic assistant in a health care facility or other facility for the intellectually disabled, mentally ill, elderly, physically ill or disabled; OR any equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of post high school education (thirty semester hours or equivalent academic units) with an emphasis in nursing and/or the social or behavioral sciences for one year of experience to a maximum substitution of one year.


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About State of Iowa

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Iowa is not a company but the governmental structure of the U.S. state of Iowa, stationed in the capital city, Des Moines. The official website, iowa.gov, is a platform dedicated to providing information and services related to the state's governance. As a governmental establishment, the State of Iowa's 'industry' primarily involves social governance, policy-making, and public administration, overseeing sectors like education, health, transportation, agriculture, and other public services.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1939