Conference noted::equitation

    Hi Zina,
    
    I know there is a note in here on obtaining your instructors
    license.  Use the DIR/TITLE=LICENSE command.
    
    **Marti**
    

    Good lord YES you need insurance.  That waiver isn't going to hold
    up in court if someone sues you... There's this little thing
    called negligence that's real hard to defend against.
    
    But, the person who owns the barn may carry liability for outside
    instructors.
    
    -maureen
    

    When I got my instructor's license 7 years ago, teaching someone on
    their own horse was considered "coaching."  At the time they didn't
    have a license covering it, but were talking about instituting one.  
    Check with the state to see what licensing they now have--it used to 
    either be beginner and advanced or beginner, intermediate & advanced.
    
    In any event, you're much better off with the license.  If something
    happened and you were sued and you didn't have a license, you would get
    creamed.
    
    As for waivers, if the student shows up in court in bandages and a 
    wheelchair, nobody is going to care what they signed ahead of time.  
    Remember that your average judge and jury is not likely to be a 
    horseperson (i.e. someone who knows the risks from personal experience, 
    but does it anyway) and even some horsepeople can be pretty awful about
    it.
    
    Based on note 855, it sounds like getting a license is easier than it
    used to be.  When I got it the written test was a breeze (any 4-h'er
    could have clinched it), but I had to apprentice at a going operation
    for 6 months and needed 3 references (I ultimately got 5 references due
    to the circumstances of my apprenticeship).  I didn't mind the
    apprenticeship because I got paid for it and I kept working there after
    I got the license!
    

    
    
    	Thank you all so much for responding SO fast and with great
    	information!
    
    	P.S.  I'm in the process of filling out my application for
    	my Cert.
    
    	Zina

    I"d also check the laws in your state regarding liability.  I know that
    in Colorado they are trying to get a new law passed that limits the
    liability resulting from an equine accident.  It is true that a waiver
    doesn't stop people from suing you, but if they have to sign one it
    makes them realize there is some danger involved in the sport.  Your
    insurance company might also require you to require that your students
    wear helmets with harnesses.

    re .3, .6: 
    
    There are some other recent decisions that improve the standing of
    waivers in some states.  Washington, recognizing the 'inherent danger'
    of equestrian sports, is beginning to honor such waivers.  It might
    take a few decades (if ever) to work its way to the East Coast but such
    reforms are heartening.
    
    					monty

    How much money does a dressage lesson cost?
    I'm licensed in Germany to teach till medium level. I'm considering
    to give lesson in Miami and I don't know for how much I can ask.
    I get $20 for a lesson in Germany, is there a different price in the
    USA?
    Thanks in advance,
    Renate 

    
    $20 would be a little low for Mass (not sure about Florida) assuming a
    half hour private (single horse and rider) lesson.
    
    Be sure to check with the state of Florida - you may need a trainers
    lesson. Massachuetts offers one bet FLorida does also.
    
    Nancy
    

    I took beginner's Western riding lessons in Florida last February and
    the cost was $27.50 per hour which I thought was pretty reasonable.
    
    Gita

    Thanks for your respond!
    
    Do you think I can take $ 30 for half an hour private lesson?
    
    What's a trainers lesson? Something special or do they only want to
    have a look at the trainer, how good he/she is.
    
    Is there a book with all the special words you use in the lessons?
    I need it with the translation to German. 
    
    Renate

    I'd guess .9 was meant to say "license" instead of "lesson".  You could
    try writing to the State of Florida government agencies to find
    information about what their requirements are for teaching, if any.  
    
    I don't know the exact name or address -- maybe some noter from Florida
    could provide it?  If not, I'll look it up this weekend and enter the
    info on Monday.
    
    I expect you would have no trouble charging $30 for a half-hour lesson.
    As for special words used in lessons, I think you will find that you
    already know them.  But there are also several (well, one anyway...)
    books that have English-French-German horsey terms in them.  I might
    even have one hanging around.  You could either borrow it, or order a
    copy from the publisher.  I'll look for that this weekend, too.
    
    Good luck!
    
    -ellie

    Whew!  Had a hard time finding this note again!
    
    I didn't get a chance to go to the library this past weekend, so I
    heven't been able to look up where you would write to get information
    on riding instructor licensing in Florida.  However, you could try
    putting a note in the FLORIDA conference (TALLIS::FLORIDA).  Someone
    there might be able to give you the address of the state government
    agencies.
    
    -ellie

    Well, I'm not shure if I should ask for a trainers license. I havn't
    got a work permit so I think I get proplems. Isn't it possible to
    give some lessons without a license and work permit? Or could I apply
    for a permit if somebody would employ me at a stable as a teacher?
    
    I never informed the government when I gave lessons so I never paid 
    tax for it in Germany. Is it different in the USA?
    
    Renate

Different rules apply in different states.  In Massachusetts, you are 
*supposed* to be licensed to teach before you can accept money for it.

<the following is NOT a promotion>
It would not surprise me to learn that there are probably many instructors 
in Mass. that are not licensed.  Not everyone follows the rules.  Not everyone
KNOWS the rules.  

As a riding student, I would feel much better taking lessons from a certified
instructor, rather than someone who may have no formal training. (In Mass, 
potential instructors are required to apprentice for a period of time, in
addition to having 3 recommendations testifying to their ability, in addition
to passing a written exam.)

You are trusted to report your income to the IRS yourself (or at least that 
part that you earn separately from being employed as a trainer at a stable,
which would probably be responsible for reporting what they paid you.)

I suggest that you find out what the _rules_ are for Florida. Unfortunately,
most of us can only comment on the New England area.

If Florida requires a license for instructors, you would have to follow that 
state's procedure for obtaining your license.  

In these suit-happy days, I would pay close attention to how/when you break 
the rules.  Ignorance is not an excuse any more.