Can anyone refer me to someone to ask about being a horseback riding instructor?
I love horses and am experienced in riding. I have attended camps where you receive riding instruction. I would like to teach others to ride. My problems are: I don’t know who to contact in Birmingham, Alabama about this, I do not own a horse of my own, and I am not certified.I am trying to work my way through school and looking for a way to share my knowledge of riding with younger horse lovers.
How experienced is experienced? Trot a 10m circle experienced or canter half-pass into a pirouette experienced? A lot of people THINK they’re qualified to teach when they aren’t, and it’s morally wrong to charge people for lessons when you have no credentials. Even some people who do have credentials should not be teaching. I don’t want to name names, but I know a very successful international show jumper who has no business teaching. Sure, her riding is fabulous (I’ve never seen a more technically perfect ride) but she can’t teach to save her life, yet she makes a living doing it.
I’m not trying to nag at you – I don’t know what your credentials are – but if all you’ve had is a couple of camps to get your instruction from I’d be nervous referring people to you. I just want to you honestly take a good look at your ability. If you have the skills, then go for it.
That being said, it’s strongly recommended to get insurance if you’re going to teach – people will sue you for anything these days! You could go to barns and put up flyers, place an ad in the local newspaper, place ads in tack shops, etc. Just get your name out there and advertise yourself. There’s no one person you can contact who can set you up – you have to go out there and pimp yourself out!