Horse Trainer
Animal Sciences & Husbandry
A program that focuses on the horse, horsemanship, and related subjects and prepares individuals to care for horses and horse equipment; ride and drive horses for leisure, sport, show, and professional purposes; and manage the training of horses and riders.
What Horse Trainers Do
A program that focuses on the horse, horsemanship, and related subjects and prepares individuals to care for horses and horse equipment; ride and drive horses for leisure, sport, show, and professional purposes; and manage the training of horses and riders.
Common Tasks
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- 1Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- 2Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- 3Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- 4Supervise laboratory sessions and field work and coordinate laboratory operations.
- 5Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
What You'll Learn
Types of Horse Trainers
Work Environment
Locations
- • Horse farms and private stables
- • Training barns and riding schools
- • Racetracks and show grounds
- • Equestrian centers and boarding facilities
- • Therapeutic riding programs
Schedule
Schedules are often routine but can include early mornings, weekends, and longer days around shows, races, or client needs.
Physical Demands
The work is physically active with lots of standing, walking, handling tack, and working horses daily. There is ongoing risk of strains and injuries from lifting, repetitive tasks, and unpredictable animal behavior.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 58,000 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand can rise as equestrian sports, recreational riding, and therapeutic riding programs expand, increasing the need for well-trained horses and skilled handlers. More owners also seek professional help for behavior, safety, and performance training.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Hands-on work with horses every day
- • Variety of settings (barns, shows, racetracks, private clients)
- • Clear skill progression and reputation-based career growth
- • Opportunities for self-employment or contract work
- • Work can be highly rewarding when horses and riders improve
Cons
- • Lower median pay in many training roles compared with other trades
- • Physically demanding with higher injury risk
- • Weekend/holiday work is common, especially during competition seasons
- • Work can be seasonal and sensitive to the economy
- • Client expectations and animal welfare responsibilities can be stressful
Common Questions About the Horse Trainer Trade
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