Instructor questions

[belle]

By the end of this year I hope to have left my job and do some freelance teaching, but I have some questions.

To start with how much could I charge?

Also, as I am not BHS qualified, would insurance be a problem?

[Mehitabel]

yes, i would say insurance would be a problem. i teach both for the yard my lot are at, and also do freelance for the liveries at the yard, but not via the yard, if you see what i mean. i'm covered under the yard's public liability insurance for the riding school lessons i do, but not when i teach the liveries and they pay me directly. i had to sign a disclaimer saying that laura (yard owner) was not liable for any accidents in my livery lessons, and the liveries had to sign a disclaimer saying they were riding their own horses at their own risk and wouldn't sue if they fell off!
you will definitely need some kind of public liability insurance, especially if you're teaching people who aren't friends. you might have trouble getting this if you aren't qualified, or you don't have any first aid qualifications.
how much you can charge depends very much on how good you are, what kind of thing you do, what makes you different from all the other instructors in the area, and what kind of people you will be teaching. someone who is a happy hacker and just wants to improve and make their horse happier will want to pay less than someone wanting to do big-gusset dressage.

[Tootsie4U]

Experience, training, certification, qualifications, and a good personality is what I look for in an instructor. The more of these qualities they have, the less I mind paying more money for them.

My current instructor is USDF and something else (brain fart) certified. She goes to instructor clinics regularly (once a month maybe) and hosts her own recognized dressage shows. She asks $45/lesson (45 mins.) private.

My previous instructor was teaching so that she could pay for college. She didnt have any expereience other than her own riding time and she wasnt qualified under anything. She charged $20/lesson (45 mins.) private.

As you can see, I dont mind paying more than double what I was for the better quality of instruction.

I do not know your personal story, nor do I know much about BHS. But, I hope this helps you. :)

Ps - I tend to think that someone seeking lessons strictly for the fun of it may not agree with me. I consider myself an eager to learn rider who is aiming at becoming a serious competitior.

[belle]

I am quite experienced, having worked with horses for 8 years, the last 4 on a professional basis, training novice horses and difficult horses, and teaching also.

I have also done the college route but they could not offer the BHS exams.

[janet hakeney]

Es and Belle you are on very dodgy ground, here is extract from Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 Section 2
Section 2 of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 states:

(1) A person cannot by reference to any contract term or to a notice given to persons generally or to particular persons exclude or restrict his liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence.

(2) In the case of other loss or damage (for example damage to property), a person cannot so exclude or restrict his liability except in so far as the term or notice satisfies the requirement of reasonableness.

(3) Where a contract term or notice purports to exclude or restrict liability for negligence a person's agreement to or awareness of it is not of itself to be taken as indicating his voluntary acceptance of any risk.

Why don't you get qualified and get some insurance?

[Wally]

Get in touch with some insurance companies, tell them EXACTLY what you propose to do, some may well quote you, but it may well be loaded and not in your favour.

[DebO]

Try South Essex Insurance group 01708 850000

I teach at a riding school and have yet to take my PTT and Stage 3. I am covered under their insurance.

I also look after other peoples horses and when I rang up the insurance company I mentioned my business partner and I offer freelance lessons. They have insured me with freelance liability.
If you are not qualified it usually means you have to pay more for the premiums.

Just because you are not qualified doesn't mean you are no good at teaching. It boils down to experience and maturity.

[belle]

Thanks ever so much DebO, sounds exactly like what I am looking for!

:D