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Therapeutic Riding Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

We are Seeking a Program Manager and Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor StableStrides is a nonprofit equine-assisted services organization whose mission is to significantly improve lives through ...

CRT Clinician

Englewood, CO · On-site

$53K - $71K/yr

The CRT clinician operates as a Co-Responder team member with law enforcement, riding 40-hours/week ... strong therapeutic partnerships with clients and families. * Coordinate immediate placement and ...

CRT Clinician

Castle Rock, CO · On-site

$68K - $86K/yr

The CRT clinician operates as a Co-Responder team member with law enforcement, riding 40-hours/week ... strong therapeutic partnerships with clients and families. * Coordinate immediate placement and ...

CRT Clinician

Englewood, CO · On-site

$68K - $103K/yr

The CRT clinician operates as a Co-Responder team member with law enforcement, riding 40-hours/week ... strong therapeutic partnerships with clients and families. * Coordinate immediate placement and ...

CRT Clinician

Littleton, CO · On-site

$68K - $86K/yr

The CRT clinician operates as a Co-Responder team member with law enforcement, riding 40-hours/week ... strong therapeutic partnerships with clients and families. * Coordinate immediate placement and ...

CRT Clinician

Highlands Ranch, CO · On-site

$68K - $86K/yr

The CRT clinician operates as a Co-Responder team member with law enforcement, riding 40-hours/week ... strong therapeutic partnerships with clients and families. * Coordinate immediate placement and ...

CRT Clinician

Englewood, CO · On-site

$68K - $103K/yr

The CRT clinician operates as a Co-Responder team member with law enforcement, riding 40-hours/week ... strong therapeutic partnerships with clients and families. * Coordinate immediate placement and ...

CRT Clinician

Englewood, CO · On-site

$68K - $86K/yr

The CRT clinician operates as a Co-Responder team member with law enforcement, riding 40-hours/week ... strong therapeutic partnerships with clients and families. * Coordinate immediate placement and ...

CRT Clinician

Parker, CO · On-site

$68K - $86K/yr

The CRT clinician operates as a Co-Responder team member with law enforcement, riding 40-hours/week ... strong therapeutic partnerships with clients and families. * Coordinate immediate placement and ...

Therapeutic Riding information

See Colorado salary details

$9

$34

$70

How much do therapeutic riding jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for therapeutic riding in Colorado is $34.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.69 and $65.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are therapeutic riding jobs?

Therapeutic riding, also known as equine therapy, is a program in which a client with a mental or physical disability interacts with horses. The program does not treat a condition like ADHD or depression, but instead helps clients learn necessary skills, social cues, and responsibilities. Your duties in therapeutic riding involve assisting clients with a ride, showing them how to groom or feed a horse, teaching them how to stock or clean a barn, and talking to clients during and after their experience about what they learned and how to apply those lessons to their life. An equine therapist, riding instructor or aide, program director, and program manager are some therapeutic riding positions.

What are some common challenges therapeutic riding instructors face when working with clients and horses?

Therapeutic riding instructors often encounter challenges such as adapting lesson plans to meet the diverse physical, cognitive, or emotional needs of their clients. They must also ensure the safety and well-being of both riders and horses, which requires strong observation skills and quick decision-making. Coordinating with therapists, volunteers, and horse handlers is essential for smooth sessions, and instructors need to be flexible and patient as progress can vary greatly among participants. Additionally, maintaining the physical health and training of therapy horses is an ongoing responsibility.

What is therapeutic riding?

Therapeutic riding is a form of equine-assisted activity where individuals with physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges participate in horseback riding sessions. These sessions are led by certified instructors and aim to improve balance, coordination, confidence, and social skills. Unlike hippotherapy, which is conducted by licensed therapists for medical treatment, therapeutic riding focuses on overall well-being, recreation, and personal development. It can benefit people of all ages with a variety of needs, including autism, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities.

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

To thrive as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor, you need a strong understanding of horsemanship, equine care, and the basics of physical or occupational therapy, usually demonstrated by certification from organizations like PATH Intl. Familiarity with adaptive riding equipment and safety protocols is essential, as is experience with lesson planning and record-keeping systems. Exceptional communication, patience, and empathy set instructors apart when working with individuals with diverse physical, emotional, or cognitive needs. These skills ensure safe, effective sessions that foster client progress and well-being while maintaining high safety standards for both riders and horses.

What is the difference between Therapeutic Riding vs Equine Therapist?

AspectTherapeutic RidingEquine Therapist
CertificationsCertified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, PATH Intl. certificationEquine-assisted therapy certification, related mental health or occupational therapy credentials
Work EnvironmentEquestrian centers, therapy facilities, clinicsTherapy clinics, mental health settings, equine therapy centers
Industry UsageFocuses on riding as a therapeutic activity for individuals with disabilitiesProvides mental health or physical therapy using horses, often including riding and groundwork

Therapeutic Riding primarily involves instructing individuals with disabilities in riding activities to promote physical and emotional well-being. Equine Therapists may incorporate riding but often focus more on therapy sessions that include groundwork and mental health interventions. Both roles require specialized certifications and work in equine-assisted environments, but their primary goals and methods differ.

What are popular job titles related to Therapeutic Riding jobs in Colorado? For Therapeutic Riding jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Therapeutic Riding jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Therapeutic Riding jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Therapeutic Riding jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Therapeutic Riding job openings:
Infographic showing various Therapeutic Riding job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $71,368 per year, or $34.3 per hour.

Program Manager and CTRI

StableStrides

Elbert, CO

$20 - $25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

We are Seeking a Program Manager and Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

StableStrides is a nonprofit equine-assisted services organization whose mission is to significantly improve lives through a connection with horses. We are a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center and the oldest center of our kind in Southern Colorado. We are seeking an experienced, mission-driven Program Manager to lead our programs into their next phase of growth and impact.

The Program Manager is a key leadership role responsible for the coordination and administration of all StableStrides programs. These programs include, but are not limited to: Adaptive Riding, Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy services (aka Hippotherapy), Mental Health, and Learning, Leadership, and Growth services (aka Equine Assisted Learning).

Position: Full-time, non-exempt, Monday–Friday with occasional evenings/weekends for trainings/events; reports to Executive Director.


Salary: $20-$25/hour, depending on qualifications, with optional medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and retirement, as well as paid holidays and PTO.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead overall strategy, planning, and implementation of StableStrides programs.

  • Partner with fundraising and leadership teams to align program growth with organizational sustainability.

  • Strategize, plan, and implement programs that effectively meet community needs and client goals, adhering to PATH Intl. Premier Accreditation standards.

  • Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and lead instructors and instructors-in-training, fostering a supportive, team culture.

  • Provide 5–25 hours of direct client services per program week, depending on program size and need; assist in classes when substitutes are not available.

  • Steward program resources (personnel, facilities, equipment, records, supplies, capital) to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

 

Success Measures

  • Design and run efficient, effective programs where at least 80% of clients achieve their goals.

  • Manage and oversee program budgets so net program revenue remains within the annual budget.

  • Ensure a high-quality client experience, with at least 90% of adaptive services clients reporting high satisfaction.

  • Foster instructor retention and satisfaction, aiming for 95% of staff reporting high satisfaction with the Program Manager.

 

Qualifications

  • REQUIRED: PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (Advanced level instructor is a plus)

  • PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Certification, preferred

  • 3+ years’ experience leading instructor teams and program management

  • 5+ years’ experience instructing at a PATH center

  • Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of disabilities, precautions/contraindications, and adaptive riding teaching techniques

  • Exceptional organizational and time management skills

  • Excellent computer skills with experience with QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and preferred experience with Salesforce 

 

Working Environment

This role includes both office and equine-facility environments, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

StableStrides is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Candidates may be subject to background screening and a pre-employment drug screen.