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Therapeutic Riding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sterling Search Inc.

CFBO

San Juan Capistrano, CA · On-site

$180K - $210K/yr

Shea Therapeutic Riding Center (Shea Center) in San Juan Capistrano has retained Sterling Search, Inc. to conduct a search for its new Chief Financial and Business Officer. The Chief Financial and ...

Trinity Services, Inc.

Barn Hand Intern

Manhattan, IL · On-site

$15/hr

STRIDES provides therapeutic riding lessons for individuals with disabilities through Trinity Services, Inc., as well as riding lessons for the general public. The program also hosts birthday parties ...

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How much do therapeutic riding jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 3, 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.

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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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,872 per year, or $32.6 per hour.
Animal Program Instructor

Animal Program Instructor

Glade Run Lutheran Services

Zelienople, PA • On-site

$10 - $47.70/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Glade Run Adventures offers fun, therapeutic experiences for individuals with mental and/or physical challenges, including autism. Tailored to individual goals, participants of all ages can benefit from these unique interactive animal, horticulture and sensory park experiences.
ACADEMIC AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
  1. High school graduate (or equivalent) preferred.
  2. Must possess in-depth knowledge and experience with Western and English styles of riding.
  3. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  1. Must have audio/visual/verbal acuity to provide supervision for the clients and to perform essential job functions.
  2. Ability to work outdoors in changing weather conditions.
  3. Mobility and physical strength to perform all tasks of the program areas inclusive of instructing, riding, saddling, moving necessary equipment for lessons, and miscellaneous tasks around program area.
  4. Must have emotional stability to perform essential job functions

EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must have emotional stability to perform essential job functions.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
  1. Must possess a basic knowledge of equine behavior and psychology.
  2. Demonstrate ability to work with individuals and small groups.
  3. Must possess an ability to communicate therapeutic lesson and program information to a wide variety of individuals with patience and understanding.
  4. Must possess verbal and written communication skills.
  5. Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record is required.
  6. Must be able to adjust hours to job requirements.
  7. Access to a telephone.
  8. Must have acceptable Pennsylvania State Police clearance, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History clearance and FBI clearance.
  9. Demonstrated ability to adjust to change.
  10. Demonstrated ability to work independently.
  11. Demonstrated ability and willingness to ask questions if uncertain about specific job tasks or changes.
  12. Must be able to identify with the Agency Mission Statement and support the Agency's Core Values.

GENERAL DUTIES:
  1. Process personal job-related issues as required (i.e., power struggles with supervisor, owner, volunteers, etc.).
  2. Know and follow the Agency Policies and Procedures.
  3. Attend work regularly.
  4. Use proper call off procedure.
  5. Keep the Agency environment and property clean and safe. Report any unsafe conditions to the proper personnel.

CORE DUTIES:
  1. Assist and instruct therapeutic riding lessons and therapeutic animal related activities for the clients of Glade Run Lutheran Services as well as clients from the community.
  2. Assist and instruct therapeutic horticultural activities for the clients of Glade Run Lutheran Services as well as clients from the community.
  3. Work with the agency and program staff to develop the Therapeutic Animal and Horticulture Program through suggestions and implementation of development goals.
  4. Assist with and provide required animal and plant care.
  5. Assist and provide care for facilities, equipment, and supplies for the safety of all participants in the program areas.
  6. Assist with training and supervision of client and community adult and junior volunteers for the safety of all participants in the program areas.
  7. Complete required paperwork in timely manner.

OTHER DUTIES:
  1. Demonstrate competence in the safe handling and moving of horses.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge related to the care and treatment of horses and small animals.
  3. Demonstrate initiative and follow-through to completion on all projects and assignments.
  4. Honor a flexible schedule which meets the needs of the clients of Glade Run Lutheran Services.

Pay Rates:
$23.85 hourly for Private Therapeutic Lessons
$37.10 hourly for Semi-Private Therapeutic Lessons
$47.70 hourly for Group Therapeutic Lessons
$10.00 hourly Admin/Non-instruction rate
Job Location
Zelienople, PA, United States
Position Type
Part-Time (minimum of 6 hours per week - including weekdays and/or weekends)
Who We Are: Founded in 1854 by the Rev. Dr. William Passavant in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, Glade Run has evolved over the last 170 years to meet the changing and increasingly challenging needs of children, adults and families throughout Western Pennsylvania and beyond. Last year, Glade Run served over 7,000 individuals with impactful, innovative services in school, home, and community based settings.
Glade Run uses the Sanctuary® Model as our blueprint for clinical and organizational change which, at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community while applying the following Sanctuary commitments within all aspects of our programming: Nonviolence, Emotional Intelligence, Social Learning, Democracy, Open Communication, Social Responsibility, and Growth and Change. Our recognition that trauma is pervasive in the experience of human beings forms the basis for Glade Run's culture as we focus not only on the individuals in which we serve, but equally on our staff and the systems who provide their treatment. Glade Run is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
What We Offer:
  • Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, and paid holidays for full-time staff
  • 401K offerings with agency match at $1.00 per dollar contributed up to 4% of salary
  • Agency provided life insurance and long-term disability coverage for full-time staff
  • Voluntary benefit options; including Disability Insurance (Short-Term Disability), Cancer Coverage, Critical Illness, Medical Bridge, Accident Insurance, Life Insurance and Identify Theft Protection
  • Paid mileage reimbursement
  • Paid training and administrative time
  • Cell phone reimbursement
  • Licensure Supervision for FREE!
  • Free credentialing assistance
  • Quarterly productivity incentives
  • Tuition reimbursement for full-time staff
  • Flexible work schedules (as applicable)
  • Annual merit increases for eligible positions based upon the yearly budget
  • New Hire Incentive Bonuses
  • Employee Referral Bonus Incentives
  • Employee Discount Program
  • Approved Agency for Public Student Loan Forgiveness
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Partnership with Geneva College offering a 25% tuition discount on select degree programs
  • Partnership with Capella University offering scholarships, tuition discounts, and free professional
    development opportunities
  • Opportunities for membership to civic/community organizations
  • As of August 31, 2024, a CARF Three-Year Accreditation has been awarded to Glade Run Lutheran Services for the following (programs/services): Case Management/Services Coordination: Mental Health (Adults), Case Management/Services Coordination: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents), Intensive Family-Based Services: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents), Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Adults), Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents), Outpatient Treatment: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Adults), Partial Hospitalization: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents)
  • Glade Run is Sanctuary certified - we provide a supportive, respectful environment for our clients and our staff where shared governance, open communication, social learning and responsibility, non-violence, emotional intelligence, and growth and change are paramount in all aspects of our programming.

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