Horse Riding Coach or Instructor

A horse riding coach or instructor teaches individuals and groups horsemanship skills in Australian equestrian settings such as riding schools, clubs, or private facilities. They assess riders' abilities, design progressive training programmes, and provide hands-on instruction in disciplines such as dressage, show jumping, cross-country, or recreational hacking. They also manage horse welfare, facility safety, and may conduct coaching at competitions or events.

Assess riders' current skill levels, experience, and learning objectives to determine appropriate training pathways and lesson structures. Design and deliver structured riding lessons tailored to individual or group needs, progressively building technical competency in horsemanship. Demonstrate correct riding techniques, including seat position, rein contact, leg aids, and balance, then correct rider errors through feedback and repetition. Select and prepare appropriate horses matched to riders' weight, height, experience, and learning goals. Conduct pre-lesson safety checks on tack (saddle, bridle, stirrups, reins) and horses to identify hazards or equipment faults. Teach riders to handle, groom, tack up, and care for horses according to equine welfare standards and safe handling practices. Instruct riders in discipline-specific techniques such as jumping grids and courses, dressage patterns and movements, or cross-country navigation. Monitor riders and horses during lessons for signs of fatigue, stress, injury, or unsafe behaviour and intervene or cease activity where necessary.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate IV or Certificate III with at least two years of on-the-job training (ABS skill level 3). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

The pay ceiling is low and earnings are highly variable. Most positions are part-time or casual with inconsistent hours tied to student demand and seasons. Physical wear on your body is real too.

Practically speaking, outer suburbs with land and private properties offer more opportunities than city centres. Regional towns with strong equestrian culture (like areas around horse studs) also employ coaches. Remote work isn't an option.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 4523, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Active Listeningcore
• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Continuous Learning and Upskillingcore
• Customer Needs Assessmentcore
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligencecore
• Feedback Collection and Actioningcore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Group Facilitationcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Professional Boundaries Maintenancecore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Appointment Scheduling
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Inclusive Practice
• Invoicing and Billing Administration
• Problem Solving
• Record Management
• Regulatory and Legislative Awareness
• Workload Self-Management
• Written Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026