Trek Leader

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About

A career as a Trek Leader

Trek Leaders organised and run horse and pony riding activities, particularly treks and hacks across the countryside - they are usually employed at a riding or trekking centre.   

Trek Leaders work with groups or individuals and need to be a good rider, friendly and have good communication skills. Visitors can be novice riders, through to experienced riders – the Trek Leader needs to plan treks with this in mind.

Also known as: Ride Leader

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Skills/Knowledge

You’ll need:

  • a genuine interest in horses and their welfare needs

  • to work well with others and on your own

  • to work outdoors in all weathers

  • good communication and customer service skills

  • physical skills such as mobility and co-ordination, and a good level of fitness and stamina

  • to understand the health and safety considerations of working around horses

  • patience and be able to stay calm under pressure

Equestrian businesses are often in quite remote areas, so having a driving licence can help. A full DBS, Disclosure Scotland or Garda Vetting check may be required if the role involves working with children or vulnerable people. You might take short courses in horse care and behaviours.

Salary
Typical salaries
range from
Typical Hours

Around 40 hours per week - working hours tend to be long and include early morning, evening and weekend work, especially during the summer. Many Trek Leaders work part-time or seasonally.

Day to Day
  • Assess riders' ability and confidence and choose horses or ponies to suit them

  • Explain safety procedures and riding techniques, such as mounting, dismounting and halting

  • Lead riders on treks and hacks, with the support of Trek Assistants

  • Plan trek routes that will suit a variety of riding abilities

  • Make sure that all riders wear appropriate clothing and follow safety procedures

  • Train the Trek Assistant, allowing them to plan and oversee rides

  • Make sure that tack is kept clean and in good order

  • Checking the standard of grooming and the general care of horses and ponies

Working Environment

Most of the work is outdoors, will be physically demanding and involve working in all weather conditions.

Training Available

Training is an essential part of any job, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to do your job safely and correctly. It also helps to strengthen your current skill set and prepares you for the next stage in your career.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships help you build the experience and skills that employers want to see. No matter what stage you’re at, they’ll help set you up for a bright future. There are lots of ways to get involved.

Trek Leader opportunities and careers paths

Trek Leaders may progress into a job within equine tourism. You may also have the opportunity to progress to Riding Centre Manager, but this will depend on the opportunities available and may mean moving to another establishment.

Industries

Trek Leader will usually work in one of the following industries. Click below to find out more about possible career paths.

Equine

Turn your love of horses into a fulfilling career – explore the equine industry’s exciting career prospects.

Covering everything from working in competition and race yards, riding schools and professional horse training, there are lots and lots of different career opportunities in the equine industry. If you love horses and are happy to work hard in all weathers, this could be the perfect environment for you.

Whether you chose to work in coaching, racing or trekking, you could work as a groom, instructor, yard manager or trainer. There are also lots of varied support roles available too – such as becoming a farrier, a vet and or even a specialist equine dentist.

  • The Equine industry supports approximately 900,000 horses and 2 million riders in the UK

  • The economic value of the equestrian sector to the UK is £4.7 billion

  • The number of horses in training to race per year has remained between 22,000 and 23,500 for 5 years in a row

  • The Irish equine breeding and racing industry generates over €1.8bn in economic activity and supports almost 29,000 jobs

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Qualifications

Qualifications for a Trek Leader

These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.

To find out more about qualification levels in the Republic of Ireland, please visit National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland (NFQIE)

To find out more about qualification levels in Scotland please visit Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

Select level
Title Level
Training for a Trek Leader

These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.

About Apprenticeships

Work, earn and learn

Whether you’re just starting out in the workplace, want to upskill or are considering changing direction, Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to build your career. Apprenticeships combine work with on-the-job training, so if you want to earn as you learn, there’s an apprenticeship out there for you – you can even start an apprenticeship if you already have a degree.

Apprenticeships for a career as an Trek Leader

All about Apprenticeships

Work, earn and learn – no matter where you are in your career, an apprenticeship can set you up for a bright future.

Let’s get started!

Want to take on an apprentice? Employers start here.

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a unique blend of work experience and study to help build the skills and knowledge you need for your career. Apprentices are employees – they have a contract, are paid and get the same benefits as everyone else. But the difference between an apprenticeship and a normal job is that apprentices are regularly released from work for training. Sometimes that’s a day a week, sometimes it’s for a longer block – it all depends on the job and the apprenticeship.

Apprentices work for all kinds of people at all kinds of stages in their lives. Most apprentices fall into one of three categories:

  • someone who is just starting their career
  • someone who already has a job and wants to move forward in their company
  • someone who already has a job and wants to retrain to make a career change.

Previously restricted to school leavers and young people, apprenticeships are now a dynamic way of retraining people of all ages - there’s no upper age limit. The minimum age to become an apprentice is 16 and candidates can’t be in full-time education.

Benefits of an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships offer a unique combination of paid work and study. They’re an exciting option for anyone who wants to gain experience, upskill or change career while working.

They offer a chance to work, learn and earn:

  • workplace experience and skills development
  • a nationally recognised qualification
  • employee benefits and a wage
  • no student loans or tuition fees
  • contact with industry professionals.

Vacancies

Interested in becoming an apprentice? Search for current opportunities and apply here.

Find your apprenticeship

You can also check vacancies on employer websites or get in touch with your local careers service.

Apprenticeship Stories

What’s it like to work, earn and learn? Find out what apprentice life is really like.

Explore apprenticeship stories

Alternatives to Apprenticeships

Useful Information

Useful Links

Association of British Riding Schools
Find out more

British Horse Society
Find out more

British Equestrian
Find out more

Funding Options

Thinking about your finances is important when you're looking at courses and training - different types of funding support is available depending on what type of course you're interested in and where you are located. We recommend you contact the training provider for more information on course costs and financing, but here are some links to connect you to support available:

Skills Hub Scotland

Skills Hub Scotland is an online skill sharing marketplace creating new opportunities to learn and share skills. Wherever you are located - if you have a skill to share, or a skill to learn, Skills Hub Scotland can help.

Initially founded as a response to the Scottish Government’s CivTech 5 programme in 2020 and aiming to offer a platform for those in rural or remote locations, Skills Hub Scotland has been developed into an important sectoral resource. If you have a skill to share with others or are a training provider, list your workshop or course (all skills from all sectors are welcome). If you are a learner, use Skills Hub Scotland to search for and book a course!

STEM

STEM is an approach to learning and development that incorporates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Learning in STEM connects to Education for Sustainable Development/Learning for Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals – this helps learners to understand that STEM plays a vital role in finding solutions to real world issues or challenges such as protecting biodiversity and tackling climate change. There are multiple pathways into a land-based STEM career including apprenticeships, further and higher education. This means that a career in STEM is open to everyone!

STEM Learning is the largest provider of STEM education and careers support in the UK. Their STEM Ambassadors programme sees volunteers representing a vast range of STEM-related jobs work with young people to bring STEM subjects alive through real life experiences. They help to open the doors to a world of opportunities and possibilities which come from pursuing STEM subjects and careers. To become a STEM Ambassador, you can register via the STEM Learning website: https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/join-stem-ambassador-programme

Lantra have worked in collaboration with STEM Ambassadors in Scotland to create two specific UK-wide Ambassadors schemes - Forestry and Aquaculture. Through these schemes, we want to make sure that those working in forestry and aquaculture have the support materials they need to take part in STEM activities. To find out more and register for the schemes, please follow the links below:

Smart Futures helps young people in Ireland discover the STEM subjects and careers that might be right for them. Co-ordinated and managed by Science Foundation Ireland, their programme allows young people to connect with people that are working in STEM, the organisations they’re working in and what their interests and skills are.

Not sure what you want to do?

Why not take a look at the Industries Explorer as an introduction to the different areas you could work in.

If we can support you with any specific information, please click the button below to get in touch.