If you have a passion for working with horses, have you ever considered channeling this interest toward a fulfilling career? The world of equine studies is broad, encompassing potential roles that range from barn manager or riding instructor to equine veterinary assistant and horse trainer.
One potential career path you will not want to overlook if you enjoy working directly with horses and other riders, though, is that of equestrian coaching. In this rewarding role, equine professionals can teach horsemanship to riders of all ages and abilities while putting their knowledge of human and equine biomechanics to work.
Could a career as an equestrian coach be right for you? Learn more about this potential career path, along with the skills and formal training needed to enter this field.
Understanding Equestrianism
Before we dive deeper into the roles and responsibilities of an equestrian coach, it is important to understand equestrianism as a broader field. In simplest terms, equestrianism refers to the art or skill of horse riding or driving.
Overview of the Equestrian Industry
Of course, if we dive deeper into the equestrian industry, working in the field is almost always about more than just horsemanship (unless you are actually competing for a living). However, in most cases, those who end up working in the equestrian industry may start out loving horses from a young age or even develop an interest in horses later in life. They may go on to pursue degrees in equine studies or more specific concentrations in the field.
From there, they may apply the skills and knowledge learned in an equine studies (or similar) program to explore career options in such areas as:
- Business management, including the launching and running of an equine farm or similar venture.
- Equine wellness, including roles in physical rehabilitation, equine massage, and even equine veterinary assisting.
- Equestrian coaching or teaching the art and skill of horse riding or driving to people from different walks of life.
Knowledge and Ethics in the Equine Industry
No matter where you may see yourself working in the equine industry, there are some important ethical considerations to keep in mind as you prepare to study and work in this unique field.
Importance of Ethical Considerations
Perhaps the most important topic when it comes to equine ethics, especially for those relatively new to the field itself, is that of horse welfare and dignity. Above all else, the physical and mental health of a horse should be at the forefront at all times. This means that when working with horses, the animal’s wellness and dignity should be prioritized over the pursuit of records, rewards, and medals.
This also means that those working in the equine field need to have solid knowledge when it comes to principles of equine care management. Assessing and reducing risks of injury or harm to horses should be a daily practice. Training methods, including those used in equestrian coaching, should avoid punishment or fear- and stress-inducing interactions.
Safe and Productive Teaching
Those under the instruction of equestrian coaches rely on their coaches to provide them with safe, responsible, and productive methods at all times. With this in mind, it is the responsibility of the coach to ensure that they are up-to-speed on all relevant equestrian industry knowledge regarding safety best practices.
Emphasis on Safety
At the end of the day, it is important for coaches and riders alike to remember that horses, while gentle and beautiful creatures, are enormous animals that could do humans a great deal of harm. Because of this, equestrian coaches need to keep safety at the forefront of their teaching at all times.
This means taking the time to conduct safety checks on all riders and equipment, as well as teaching about horse behavior and how to spot potential signs of stress, aggression, or fear in a horse. Equestrian coaches teach basic safety measures as well as the important elements of facility planning and maintenance that prevent trauma or risk injury to animals, humans, or property.Productive Teaching Methods
As part of most standard equestrian coach training, instructors will learn about tried-and-true productive teaching methods and best practices to apply in the field. All of these methods are built upon the foundational understanding that horses and humans need to establish a strong sense of trust before a real working relationship between equine and human can begin.
Equestrian coaches, then, may use a variety of techniques to teach new skills, help riders or drivers build trust with horses, establish a sense of leadership, and even overcome common fears and apprehensions that may arise along the way. Humane training practices and confidence-building exercises take time to learn but become an essential part of the instructor’s toolkit with experience.
Equine and Human Biomechanics
In addition to being able to carry out safe and effective teaching, equestrian coaches also need to have an in-depth understanding of both equine and human biomechanics.
Understanding Equine Biomechanics
Specifically, equine biomechanics refers to the study of horses’ skeletal structures, how their bodies can move, and the impact that gravity and other forces can have on their bodies. Understanding equine biomechanics is crucial for aspiring coaches. This knowledge helps them identify potential injury risks and take preventive steps to ensure horses remain comfortable and injury-free. The quality of the animal’s movement is also a central element in how they perform in the competition arena, if that is something the student aspires to do.
Human Biomechanics in Horsemanship
Just as understanding the nuances of equine biomechanics is critical in equestrian coaching, so is knowing the biomechanics of the human rider. A strong knowledge of human biomechanics and physiology could help coaches better understand the effects that a rider’s positioning and movements on a horse could have on not just the horse, but the person’s riding abilities as well. This knowledge is then used to improve posture and the use of the body in a way that enhances riding while reducing the risk of injury.
Teaching Skills Beyond Riding Techniques
While being able to teach riding techniques to people of all abilities is an important part of the job for any equestrian coach, there are other skills that could be just as crucial. This includes communication skills, as well as critical thinking and decision-making for riders.
Communication Skills in Equestrian Coaching
Equestrian coaches need to instill the value of communication in riders of all ages and backgrounds. This may include demonstrating to riders how to speak to horses in a tone that is calm and reassuring rather than harsh or commanding. This, combined with teaching the power of body language and understanding the body language of the horse, could make all the difference in outcomes.
Critical Thinking and Decision-Making
Riding a horse also requires riders to be able to think quickly and make split-second decisions. With this in mind, equestrian coaches should be prepared to instill critical thinking, decision-making, and risk-reduction skills in their students as part of their work. This is particularly true when it comes to being able to make quick decisions based on context, such as physical cues from a horse and other factors.
Professional Development for Equestrian Coaches
If you feel like you may have what it takes to work as an equestrian coach, then you may be wondering what kinds of designations and formal training you may need to enter this field.
Training and Certifications Required
First, understand that the specific training and certifications required to work as an equestrian coach could vary from one employer to the next. In some cases, animal trainers (including equine coaches) may only possess a high school diploma or equivalent. However, many have gone on to pursue additional certifications, such as:
- American Riding Instructor’s Association Certification
- Certified Horsemanship Association Certification
Certification to teach in a specific discipline, through an organization like the United States Dressage Federation, the United States Eventing Association, or the United States Hunter Jumper Association
Continuous Education and Industry Trends
In addition to having proper certification, having a formal education in equine studies or a similar field could also go a long way when it comes to pursuing career opportunities in this dynamic field. For example, having a bachelor’s degree in equine studies could be a great way to build the foundational skills and knowledge needed to be a more effective equestrian coach.
Career Paths and Opportunities
Another benefit to having a formal degree in equine studies or a related field is the fact that you could always explore other related career paths and professional opportunities aside from coaching. For instance, those with equine studies degrees may go on to work in equine wellness, equine business management, barn management, equine nutrition, or just about any other aspect of horse care you could imagine.
Career Pathways and Professional Credentials
A degree in equine studies can provide the foundational knowledge and skills needed for a variety of equine-related careers, including equestrian coaching, horse management, and equine wellness. While many equine studies programs offer comprehensive education in these areas, they may not fulfill the educational requirements for certain professional credentials. However, students are often encouraged to pursue additional certifications, such as the American Riding Instructor’s Association (ARIA) Instructor Certification, to enhance their qualifications. Equine studies programs often offer customizable pathways, allowing students to choose concentrations that align with their specific career goals. These programs typically emphasize flexibility and practical industry insights, preparing students to succeed in various roles across the equine industry. These certifications may have other requirements outside of education.
Ready to Pursue Your Degree in Equine Studies?
Working as an equestrian coach can be challenging, yet extremely rewarding and fulfilling at the same time. Each day on the job could bring forth new opportunities to grow professionally while helping riders and horses refine their own skills. And who knows? Your equestrian coaching skills could be just what a young rider needs to grow their confidence and build a lifelong love for horses.
Interested in learning more about an equine studies program? Post University’s bachelor’s degree in equine studies could be an excellent starting point. In this industry-focused program, you may build the foundation of insights necessary to communicate, think critically, and make important decisions in the equine field. Similarly, Post University offers a number of concentrations to suit your needs, including an equestrian coaching concentration that could help you prepare for one of the many instructor certifications available from third parties.
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Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from any Post program. To learn more about Post’s programs and their outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions advisor.