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Please click here for a list of Instructors
Click here for a complete Instructor Information Package.
Do you hire riding instructors to teach beginners?
Or do you plan to look for work as an Instructor for beginners?
 There’s a program for people 16 years of age (at date of application) and older who may want to teach beginners at summer camps, trail riding establishments/clubs, or assist at lesson stables. It will provide assurance to consumers and employers that the Instructor can give a safe, fun and constructive start to horseback riding.
This program is not intended for individuals who will teach competitors. If they wish to teach competitors, they should become certified English, Western or Saddle Seat coaches.
The goal of the Instructor Program is to develop an Instructor who is capable of teaching at the beginner level, primarily on the flat, in a safe and constructive fashion. It also acts as an introduction to the Equine Canada coaching program.
PREREQUISITES:
Candidates must have completed the following prerequisites prior to applying for the Instructor Assessment, please note that the AEF offers the NCCP throughout the year, check our website for future course dates:
1. Completing the Learn to Ride Program - Old Learn to Ride Level II OR New Learn to Ride Level 6 OR Pony Club “C2” Standard Certificate
2. New NCCP/Equine Canada Equestrian Specific Theory Course (replaces Module A and Learn to Teach courses)
3. Current Standard First Aid Certificate
4. Current AEF membership and Current Equine Canada Gold Sport License plus Coaching Levy Fee.
5. Mentor Program
6. Signed Coaching Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Privacy Document
7. Criminal Record Search (including vulnerable sectors)
Once you have completed all of the above prerequisites, and you are ready to submit an application for an Assessment; contact the office or email
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CERTIFICATION:
The Assessment consists of a written test, an oral phase covering stable management and bandaging, lunging, and teaching a mounted and unmounted lesson. If the candidate is successful at the Assessment, the Alberta Equestrian Federation will award them an "EC Instructor of Beginners Program" Certificate. If the candidate is unsuccessful, they have 2 years from the date of the assessment to retake the unsuccessful phase(s) only, provided they have received additional mentoring and forwarded proof of such to the AEF.
TO REMAIN CERTIFIED:
In order to remain “active” as an Instructor, successful candidates are required to follow the same Updating Policy & Procedures as Certified Coaches. Each Instructor is required to submit 20 hours of updating for every 3-year period. For the complete updating policy, contact the AEF office. Please note that your AEF and Equine Canada Memberships along with First Aid Certification/Criminal Record Search must also be kept current.
INSURANCE:
It is also strongly recommended that all riding instructors in the Horse industry carry commercial insurance.
ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Part 1
General Impression
The examiner is to consider the professional appearance of the candidate. Their manner of presentation, maturity and attitude as well as their ability to establish rapport with their students and their demonstrated ability for decision making throughout the assessment is important.
Part 2
Written
The written test has been designed to assess the sound thought process of the candidate in different teaching situations and not their memorizing skills.
Part 3
Oral
Bandages - Stable and polo/exercise wrap. Bandages should be clean and in good repair. Application of a variety of protective boots may also be required.
Tack - Care of tack, fitting, safe maintenance of tack, etc.
First Aid - Candidates should bring a basic first aid kit (both horse and human) to the assessment and know its contents and uses. Questions on treating basic wounds will be asked.
Unsoundness - emphasis should be on scenarios that would occur in a lesson - coughs, tying up, ABCs, etc.
Feeding - basic rules of feeding and feeding in relation to the riding lesson - a very hot horse vs. lazy horse.
Stall and Stable - how to keep a horse safe and happy. Sizes of stalls, door widths, heights for buckets and tie rings, flooring and bedding.
Part 4
Unmounted Lesson
Candidates are to present their lesson topics as if instructing a group of students. A list of possible teaching topics is provided on the following page.
Part 5
Mounted Lesson
A lesson plan should be submitted for the mounted topic. Candidates should assume that the horses and riders are warmed up and should deal directly with their assigned topic. The aim is to teach a group lesson, identify safety concerns, control of ride, etc.
Part 6
Lunging
The candidate must demonstrate the correct fitting of the tack and equipment and correctly fit all protective boots. Candidates should be able to assess the suitability of the horse for use with a novice rider. The second part is lunging a rider. In this section, the candidate is assessed on their safety technique, mounting procedure and correct adjustment of the stirrups and girth. Candidates should be able to identify basic equitation flaws and determine what exercises could be used on the lunge to help the rider. Lunging with a cavesson, well-fitting halter, or noseband method are all acceptable.
POSSIBLE TEACHING TOPICS
Unmounted Lesson Topics
Fitting of helmets and safe riding attire
Grooming Procedure
Tack Cleaning
Proper leading and turning of the horse
Bridling - Proper fitting and technique
Saddling - Proper technique and fitting, including girth and breastplate
Fire Safety - Procedure
Fire Safety - General
Foot Care
Tying a horse properly in the stall
Blanketing and unblanketing a horse
Fitting martingales
Mounted Lesson Topics
Introduce and practice the trot
Introduce and practice the posting trot
Introduce and practice the canter
Introduce and practice a circle
Introduce and practice a turn
Introduce and practice changing the rein
Introduce and practice exercises to practice eye control
Introduce and practice exercises at the walk to teach steering and control
Introduce and practice identifying the correct canter lead and how to correct the lead
Introduce and practice changing the leading file
Introduce and practice 3-point position at walk & trot
Introduce and practice 2-point position at walk & trot
Use of games or props should be encouraged, where appropriate.
ADMINISTRATION:
All Assessments are to be arranged by the Alberta Equestrian Federation.
MENTORS:
Mentors must be a CURRENT, Certified Equine Canada Coach 1 or higher who is willing to share their expertise with potential Instructors. Potential Instructors must contact the AEF office to inform the Coaching Administrator who their Mentor(s) will be. The Mentor(s) must sign off on each section of the Mentor process for Mentoring to be completed.
Please keep in mind that the Instructor Program Mentoring hours is a minimum guideline. Depending on experience, some candidates may require further mentoring in order to be able to teach up to the required standard.
Recommended Reading for the Instructor Program:
~ Stable Management in Canada~
~ English Coach 1 Manual~
Please Note: Candidates are required to bring their own equipment, all clean and in good repair (please do not assume that the facility will have equipment for you):
Bandages (polo/exercise and stable)
Lunging – lunge line, lunge whip, side reins, boots, gloves, etc.
First Aid kits for both horse and human
Teaching tools (games/props) for your mounted and unmounted lessons
Pens and paper for the written test
“Guinea pig” students will be used for the lessons, but candidates should be aware that students MAY be above the beginner level. This will not affect how you are assessed.
Click here for a complete Instructor Information Package.
All manuals are available at the Alberta Equestrian Federation office.
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