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Therapeutic Riding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (CTR)

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Program/Client Manager

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (CTR) is seeking a Program and Client Manager to join our dynamic team. This position will also be responsible for providing onsite support as a certified ...

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How much do therapeutic riding jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for therapeutic riding in the United States is $32.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $62.50 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 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 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 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.

More about Therapeutic Riding jobs
What cities are hiring for Therapeutic Riding jobs? Cities with the most Therapeutic Riding job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Therapeutic Riding jobs? The most popular types of Therapeutic Riding jobs are:
What states have the most Therapeutic Riding jobs? States with the most job openings for Therapeutic Riding jobs include:
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Therapeutic Riding jobs near you
Infographic showing various Therapeutic Riding job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 54% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 13% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $67,872 per year, or $32.6 per hour.
PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Lansing School District

Lansing, MI • On-site

$20/hr

Other

Posted 12 days ago

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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