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Therapeutic Riding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JobTarget - Demo

Equine Afficianado

New York, NY · On-site

$62K - $78K/yr

Design and execute individualized training programs for horses across different levels and disciplines (e.g., dressage, jumping, racing, therapeutic riding, etc.). Demonstrate superior horsemanship ...

UHS

EQUINE THERAPIST (CERT)

Atlanta, GA · On-site

Previous work in therapeutic riding centers, wellness programs, or nonprofit settings Scope of Practice Statement This position provides equine‑assisted experiential and wellness services . The ...

RWJBarnabas Health

Therapeutic Tech

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$19.12/hr

Therapeutic Tech Location: Jersey City Medical Center Department Name: IDT PC Adult Req ... Responsible for riding/driving the program vehicle when assigned. * Participates in crisis ...

RWJBarnabas Health

Therapeutic Tech

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$19.12/hr

Therapeutic Tech Location: Jersey City Medical Center Department Name: IDT PC Adult Req ... Responsible for riding/driving the program vehicle when assigned. * Participates in crisis ...

RWJBarnabas Health

Therapeutic Tech

Jersey City, NJ · On-site

$19.12/hr

Therapeutic Tech Location: Jersey City Medical Center Department Name: IDT PC Adult Req ... Responsible for riding/driving the program vehicle when assigned. * Participates in crisis ...

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Therapeutic Riding information

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$32

$67

How much do therapeutic riding jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 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 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.

More about Therapeutic Riding jobs
What cities are hiring for Therapeutic Riding jobs? Cities with the most Therapeutic Riding job openings:
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Therapeutic Riding jobs near you
Infographic showing various Therapeutic Riding job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 13% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,872 per year, or $32.6 per hour.
Program Director

Program Director

Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida, Inc.

Coconut Creek, FL • On-site

$64K - $82K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Oversee the development, implementation, and strategic growth of equine-assisted therapy programs for children and adults with special needs.

  • Lead and manage the service delivery of therapeutic programs, ensuring compliance with PATH International accreditation standards.

  • Manage, train, and motivate program staff and contracted instructors to fulfill organizational programmatic needs.

Job description

Founded in 1982, Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida (EATSF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities to children and adults with special needs so that they may improve physically, mentally, and emotionally.  We are a premier accredited center with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH), and provides services to over 100 students. For more information, please visit: www.equineatsf.org.
 
Job Title: Program Director 
Position Category: Full-time, exempt, 40 hours/week, some nights and weekends
Salary Range: $64,000 - $82,000 
Pay Period: Twice per month – 15th and 30th 
Medical Reimbursement: Medical and Employee-Level Coverage Only – portion paid by EATSF
 
Position Details: EATSF is seeking an energetic, experienced and organized Program Director who is an Advanced-Level Instructor with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH), International or has a professional licensure and willing to obtain PATH credentials. The individual must have horse experience, along with experience in program and personnel management; program development and measurement to provide premier equine assisted services to children and adults with special needs.
 
Scope of Work: The Program Director oversees the development, implementation, and strategic growth of the programs at EATSF to children and adults with special needs across Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.  The Program Director leads and manages the service delivery of safe and effective therapeutic programs that reflect the Premier Accredited Center standards of PATH International.  The Program Director plans and maintains the program calendar and oversees all pre-program logistics and contracts with partner agencies; develops program policies and monitors budgetary expenditures; develops and evaluates program curriculum to ensure participant success.  The Program Director provides significant contributions to program partnership development, strategic planning and executive level decision making. 
 
Reports to: Executive Director (ED)
 
Organizational Relationships:
  • Interacts with Board of Directors at board meetings where attendance is requested.
  • Interacts informally with Board Committees representing program needs and program outreach activities.
  • Interacts as an integral player on the EATSF leadership team.
  • Interacts with the entire staff of EATSF at weekly team meetings and frequent informal interactions.
  • Manages contracted instructor and program team members and the Program Coordinator. 

Duties and Responsibilities:
 
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT 
  • Lead the delivery of the quality and success of all aspects of program operations, management, relationship and curriculum development, and staff development. 
  • Develop strategic long-term program expansion goals and program budget as a member of the leadership team.
  • Manage, train, and motivate a team of FT staff members, and contracted Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRI), Equine Specialists (ES), Registered Therapists and CTRI’s or ES’s In-Training.
  • Lead PATH Accreditation standard changes and the center accreditation requirements.
  • Ensure that curriculum and goals are clearly set for each participant.
  • Oversee the effective use of program measurement tools, oversees data collection, lesson plans, evaluate outcomes and provide information to the Executive Director and Development Director.
  • Maintain and cultivate funded program partnerships with school sites and other nonprofit partners, identifying future partners and opportunities for potential funding.
  • Oversee the interviewing, assessment of new participants and collaborate with program team on new participant placement. 
  • Ensure appropriate mount for each participant in collaboration with the Barn Manager.
  • Work with the program team to maintain proper student records for PATH Intl. compliance.
  • Coordinate and manage educational and training opportunities for revenue generating opportunities that engage interested CTRI or ES candidates within PATH Region 5 and beyond.
  • Record and maintain all appropriate records as required by PATH PAC standards.
  • Maintain sufficient instructional staff to accommodate participants with a goal of achieving EATSF’s strategic targets.
  • Communicate with participants, family members, guardians and partnering organizations on EATSF program, participant progression, concerns, challenges, and successes on a regular basis.
  • Assist with the planning and execution of special events as a member of the EATSF team and as the program expert.
 
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT:
  • Manage and lead the instructor team to fulfill the programmatic needs of the organization.
  • Approve payroll and timesheets for contracted program team on a bi-weekly basis.
  • Ensure all lesson plans and progress notes are completed each week for all participants.
  • Ensure teaching tools are appropriate and available for classes.
  • Maintain PATH Intl instructor compliance records, per accreditation.
  • Lead the development of educational initiatives for instructor team for EATSF and industry professionals in Region 5 of PATH.
  • Recruit and mentor interested CTRI's, ES's to assist in the delivery of service. 
  • Hire, train, and mentor new CTRI, ES, Registered Therapists.
  • Teach participants, as needed.
  • Manage Program Coordinator to create deliverables for the volunteer recruitment, training, and maintenance program.
  • Other duties as assigned.
 
Key Skills:
  • Dependable and cooperative attitude.
  • Flexible and able to adapt to change.
  • Expert problem solving and decision-making skills.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum of a bachelor's degree from a four-year university.
  • Demonstrated success developing and evaluating program models, and successfully operationalizing innovative programs.
  • Horse and riding experience, English or Western required.
  • Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification from PATH International, other certifications preferred but not required.
  • Strength in hiring, recruiting, managing, developing, coaching, and retaining individuals and teams, empowering them to elevate their levels of responsibility and performance.
  • Work well with people from various backgrounds, abilities, and communities, and in a team-oriented environment, maintaining harmonious relationships.
  • Ability to work independently, be flexible and manage multiple priorities with high efficiency, excellent attention to detail and analytical skills.
  • Detail-orientated with excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal, and writing skills.
  • Proficiency with database software and excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Must be able to work in a variety of environments (indoor and outdoor) with the ability to traverse easily on different surfaces and lift 30 pounds.
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to and passion for individuals with special needs and the EATSF mission.