Equine Lead & Riding Instructor
Elysian – Liss/Froxfield, Hampshire
£25,356 - £33,000 a year (FTE) · Full-time · September start
About the role
Do you combine real equine coaching ability with a genuine gift for working with young people? At Elysian, horses aren't just present, they're used purposefully to build confidence, resilience and life skills in children and young people, including those with SEND and SEMH needs.
We're looking for an experienced, hands-on Equine Lead & Riding Instructor to join our Liss/Froxfield provision this September. You'll plan and deliver therapeutic and educational riding sessions, oversee day-to-day equine care and welfare, and mentor the apprentices and volunteers working alongside you. Alongside our therapeutic programmes, you'll also deliver external riding lessons for clients.
This is a practical, outdoor role for someone who's as comfortable mucking out and assessing a horse's readiness for a session as they are coaching a nervous first-time rider or a confident, competition-ready teenager.
What you'll do
- Plan, deliver and evaluate equine-based learning and therapeutic sessions (groundwork, ridden and non-ridden) for individuals and groups of young people, including those with complex emotional, social, behavioural, learning and mental-health needs
- Undertake riding assessments, set individualised goals with other staff and professionals, and monitor progress
- Coach and instruct riders of all abilities, from beginners to advanced
- Provide day-to-day mentoring and guidance to apprentices, volunteers and new team members
- Oversee general equine care: grooming, tacking up/untacking, turnout, feeding, mucking out, tack and equipment maintenance
- Deliver training and rehabilitation work with equines (groundwork, ridden work, long-reining, lunging)
- Ensure equine welfare at all times, liaising with vet, farrier, dentist and barefoot trimmer as needed
- Maintain accurate records: session logs, equine care logs, risk assessments and incident reports
- Maintain compliance with the Riding Establishment Licence and all relevant health & safety and safeguarding requirements
What we're looking for
Essential:
- Solid experience in equine care, management and coaching
- Minimum 5 years' experience of direct client work
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, professional boundaries and health & safety in an equine environment
- Excellent communication skills, spoken and written
Desirable:
- BHS Level 3 Coaching Qualification (formerly known as AI), or equivalent
- Qualification or experience in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) or Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT)
- Experience supervising apprentices, volunteers or junior staff
- Experience working in a SEND or SEMH education setting
Job details
- Job type: Full-time, 5 out of 7 days including a weekend day (reduced hours by negotiation)
- Salary: £25,356.00 - £33,000.00 per year (FTE)
- Location: Elysian sites, based at Liss/Froxfield
- Start date: September 2026
How to apply
To find out more or apply - go on our website https://elysianuk.org/work-with-us/
For enuiries you can email [email protected],
Elysian is committed to the safeguarding of children and young people. All roles with Elysian are subject to safeguarding scrutiny, including references and DBS checks, prior to commencing employment.
Pay: £25,356.00-£33,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
