How to Choose a Horse Riding Instructor

To choose a horse riding instructor, check which certification they hold and at what level, then watch them teach before you book. Ask about helmets and insurance on that visit. CHA, ARIA and USDF each certify instructors in a different way, so knowing what each one tests helps you match a teacher to your goals. You can compare instructors in our horse trainer and instructor directory.

Start with your goals

EquiSearch suggests thinking about your goals before you look. Decide whether you want to ride Western or English and whether you plan to show. It recommends riding at least once a week, and possibly more. Your answers point you toward the right specialty and level.

Certification is one tool among several. A beginner's guide from Kentucky Equine Research points out that there are no national standards for riding instructor certification. It adds that a certificate doesn't guarantee an instructor will be a good fit for your child. When an instructor does hold one, it tells you that an outside group tested them, and you can check what that test covered.

What riding instructor certifications mean

Three groups that certify riding instructors are the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) and the United States Dressage Federation (USDF). Each one tests different things.

| | CHA | ARIA | USDF |
|-|-|-|-|
| Focus | Safety, horsemanship and group teaching, English or Western | 16 teaching specialties, from Recreational Riding to Dressage | Dressage riding, training and lungeing |
| Levels | Level 1 to Level 4, plus Master Instructor | Level I, II and III | Training through First Level, Second Level, Third through Fourth Level, plus FEI |
| How they test | 4 to 5 day clinic with written tests, practice teaching and a riding evaluation | Written tests, an oral presentation and, at Levels II and III, a video | Professional Development Assessment, then a written and verbal exam |
| Keeping it current | Renew every 3 years with 25 hours of continuing education | Annual renewal fee | 16 hours of continuing education each year, plus first aid and SafeSport training |

Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA)

CHA describes itself as the largest certifying organization in North America and says it has certified riding instructors for more than 45 years. Candidates attend a clinic that usually runs four to five days, with at least 40 required hours. They pass written tests and teach at least four practice lessons. Two CHA certified clinicians also evaluate their riding.

Staff score each candidate in five areas: safety, horsemanship, teaching skills, group control and professionalism. Candidates must score at least 7 out of 10 in safety. The lowest score in any area sets the level, from Level 1 for introductory arena work up to Level 4. Master Instructors teach both English and Western at Level 4. CHA certification is good for three years.

American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA)

ARIA has run its American Riding Instructor Certification Program since 1984. ARIA offers certification in 16 specialties, which range from Recreational Riding and Hunt Seat to Driving and Side Saddle. Its evaluation board assesses "professionalism, safety, and business and personal integrity."

ARIA's testing booklet explains the three levels. A Level I instructor, called Instructor in Training, has a good foundation as a horseman but doesn't yet have the age or teaching experience for Level II. A Level II instructor can teach beginner through intermediate students. A Level III instructor can teach advanced riders as well. Candidates take written tests and give a short oral presentation, and Levels II and III also require a video.

United States Dressage Federation (USDF)

USDF certification is for dressage. USDF says the program was designed to set a standard of excellence in dressage training and instruction in the United States. A certified instructor has been tested in riding and training, lungeing the horse and lungeing the rider, and has passed a written and verbal exam.

Levels follow the dressage test levels: Training through First Level, Second Level, and Third through Fourth Level, plus FEI certification. Candidates must attend a Professional Development Assessment before they can take a certification exam. To stay certified, instructors must do all of the following:

• Remain USDF members
• Complete 16 hours of continuing education each year
• Hold first aid training
• Stay current with SafeSport training
• Sign a code of conduct every year

Match the level to what you need

The level and specialty matter as much as the name of the group. CHA advises asking what the certification required and what level the instructor reached. It also says no CHA instructor should teach beyond the level CHA has judged within their abilities. For example, ARIA says a Level II instructor can teach beginner through intermediate students. If you ride dressage at the higher levels, look for USDF certification at Third through Fourth Level or FEI.

Safety questions to ask before you book

CHA's guide to finding the right riding instructor puts safety first. Ask these questions on the phone or during a visit:

• Do you require helmets? CHA says helmets should be required.
• What is the name of your insurance company? CHA suggests calling the insurer to confirm the coverage is current.
• Are you trained in first aid, and are you certified in CPR? CHA says a first riding instructor should be trained in first aid.
• Does the barn have a first aid kit, fire extinguishers, and smoke and fire alarms?
• Who helps during lessons? CHA says every helper should be an experienced horse handler who could manage a horse that spooks or runs off. Young students or parents acting as leaders are not a safe practice.
• Will you check that my helmet and boots fit? CHA says the instructor should.

The Kentucky Equine Research guide adds a question for parents. Ask whether someone supervises children at all times.

Helmets and boots

Ask what helmet the barn requires and whether it lends them. Montana State University Extension's helmet fact sheet says a riding helmet should be SEI certified and meet the ASTM F1163 standard, shown on a label inside the shell. It should fit as snugly as you can comfortably wear it, with the chin strap touching your jaw or chin. The fact sheet also says to replace any helmet that has been in a serious impact, since the damage may not be visible.

Footwear matters too. The 4-H Horse Project guide says to wear boots with proper heels that keep your feet from slipping through the stirrups. British Equestrian's first lesson guide gives the same advice. It also says most riding centers can provide a riding hat, but to check when you book.

Lesson formats

Most programs offer private lessons, group lessons, or both. CHA suggests asking which formats an instructor offers and what they recommend for you. It also says group lessons work best when all riders are at the same ability level.

The Kentucky Equine Research guide notes that a small group can be a good way for a child to learn and practice the basics, and that an instructor may start with a few private lessons first. CHA suggests asking how long each lesson is and how much of it you'll spend on the horse. Ask how many students ride in each group, too.

What lessons cost

Prices vary by area. EquiSearch's guide puts private beginner lessons at about $40 to $80 an hour, and semi private or group lessons at about $20 to $50 an hour. CHA also suggests asking about packages and when payment is due.

What a first lesson looks like

Expect to spend time on the ground. CHA says the first few lessons should teach you to handle and groom a horse on the ground before your first ride. EquiSearch notes that grooming and tacking up can add about an hour of learning time to a lesson.

Once you're in the saddle, British Equestrian says your coach will guide you through getting on and holding the reins. Lessons usually include exercises for steering and controlling speed. Beginners will most likely have a leader holding the horse the whole time. Wait for your coach to show you how to get off, since getting off correctly is a skill of its own. You may be welcome to help untack the horse and put it away afterward.

Don't expect fast progress. The Kentucky Equine Research guide says early lessons, especially for children, may not show much obvious progress, because much of the early learning is just getting comfortable on the horse.

Visit before you commit

CHA recommends visiting any instructor you're considering at least once. While you watch a lesson, look for these signs:

• The horses are calm and suitable for beginners, and they look healthy and relaxed.
• The instructor stays focused on students, without phone calls or texts.
• The instructor is patient and gives more positive feedback than negative.

The Kentucky Equine Research guide describes healthy lesson horses as clean, shiny and at a good weight. Ask for references and talk to current students or parents, as both CHA and EquiSearch suggest.

Warning signs

CHA's guide points to these warning signs:

• Students are asked to do something that feels unsafe or uncomfortable.
• The instructor teaches above their certified level.
• The instructor loses patience with students or horses.
• Horses look unhealthy or unhappy, or shy away from people.
• An instructor without a certification can't tell you about their experience and education.

How to use our directory

Our horse listings include instructors from the CHA member directory, ARIA, and USDF certified instructors, along with trainers' own websites. Every listing shows where it came from, so you can confirm a certification and its level at the source. You can browse by state, such as Kentucky or Texas.

Featured listings appear first and are always labeled as paid placement. You can read how results are sorted. Contact details come with an Unlimited Access plan.

If you're an instructor and find your listing, you can claim your profile for free.