Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

[Justina]

Hej

First of all, sorry about this English topic on a Swedish forum! But my Swedish language skills are not yet good enough for me to be trying to write in Swedish - don't want to make you laugh too hard

Where to start...
I am more or less planning to move to Sweden (more precisely, to Lund) next autumn, as my husband is currently studying there - and we have a little son, so it is difficult living apart as a family.
Also, being a fan of Sweden, I'm really happy to do so

However, this means leaving my beloved job at home. And this is where I have my doubts Having invested so many years in working with and studying about horses, I have now established a rather good reputation for myself as an instructor - and it's really scary having to start from zero in a new country! It would be a shame to have to give it up because I really enjoy it and have invested so much time (and money) improving myself and my teaching techniques.

So obviously I want to cosult you, Swedish, riders and horselovers, whether it is actually possible for me to work as an instructor in Sweden?

Of course, the main problem is language... This means I cannot just work at a riding school as for the time being I can only give instructions in English. I actually do know Danish as I lived in Denmark as a teenager, so I do understand quite a bit of Swedish, especially when reading (that's how I managed to get onto this forum ), but it will still take a while for me to learn to speak it well.

Is working as a freelance instructor an option? What is the legal side to this? I want to have all the right legal documentation, of course, so that I don't get in trouble.
And generally speaking, what is the situation with instructors in Sweden? What kind of specialists are required most of all? I havea few areas of training which I specialise in, and I wonder if they would be useful in Sweden, too.

Sorry about the long post Looking really forward to hearing your opinions

 

[Sulax]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

Welcome to Sweden! Here the worksituation (often)demands that you have your education on paper, if it's gonna mean something. So make sure you have all your papers in order, and ask you current employer if he or she can write some kind of resume for you. Like a reference, that you can show to the people you meet on your jobinterwiews. (Sorry if my spelling in english is off, by the way). Of course you can work as an instructor here in Sweden. But make sure you have a meeting with "skatteverket" about taxes and payments so that everything is worked out right from the beginning. Good Luck and again, welcome to Sweden!!

 

[iNHALE]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

First of all, welcome to Sweden! Secondly, working as an instructor in Sweden is absolutely doable, however, as you probably know already, horses overall don't generally bring in any huge sums of money, which is the reason why many swedes who seek to work with horses full time move abroad, preferably to Germany or any other big horse country where the chanses of getting a bigger paycheck is better than over here. Though there are ofc people who work with horses full time here, but you should be aware that the market for horserelated work is very tough, and as Sulax above said, it's hard to get a decent amount of customers if you don't have your skills printed on paper or have any other means of backing up what you're teaching.

A lot of the time people are more or less required to have attended some form of equestrian education before customers trust them enough to pay for services. If you're a instructor, having some kind of document that shows which trainers you've been learning from in the past for example is a huge help.

My tip to you is that i absolutely think you should give it a try if that's what you realy want, but don't be too disapointed or shocked if you can't make a living out of it, especiellt not at first. It's very very common that instructors are working part time as instructors and have another part time job on the side to make ends meet. If you do well later on you can move over to being an instructor full time, but don't have too high hopes of making ends meet with only that to begin with.

 

[Ottilia]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

Welcome!

You don't say whether you are from an European Union country or not. If you are you don't need a working permit. If not you'll probably have to contact "migrationsverket" to get one.

If you wanna freelance you should get something that is called a "F-skattesedel" which is for paying tax in a private firm. In Swedish it is called "enskild firma" To be able to say that you have a F-skattesedel is like saying that you are a serious trainer who is proffessional - compared to those who occassionaly give some lessons. Besides the fact that you should pay your taxes if you go to skatteverket.se you should be able to look around, and maybe call them to get help with what to do.

I would advertise on the internet, e.g. on this homepage, but I would also advertise on billboards in different stables in the area. Since you are moving to Lund you'll have Flyinge in the area. I would start to advertise there if you don't know about any other stables.

I myself live in Stockholm so I don't know about the trainer situation in Lund, however the area is full of horses and riders so I guess it shouldn't be impossible to freelance if you have a car and can go to your customers.
As for language it will probably not be the biggest obstacle, many swedes love to practice their English. However, if you understand Swedish I would recommend you to write that out when looking for new students, so that you don't throw off those who aren't so confident in English.
Good Luck!

 

[Justina]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

Wow, thank you all so much for your answers and for such a warm welcome

I am originally from Lithuania (yes, that scary place in Eastern Europe where all the horrible immigrants come from ), but for a big part of my life I've lived and studied abroad (mostly Denmark and England).
I did a Bachelors degree in Equine studies in England, but that doesn't give you a qualification as an instructor, they have different diplomas for that. Also, both in Denmark and in England I was mostly riding and improving my skills, and only started teaching on a full time basis when I came back to Lithuania after my studies.
The problem is that over here we have no official qualifications for riding instructors, so that's a very big problem for me as I only have my former student and employers who can give me recommendations.

Which could be an issue - even though they might be well-known in the Baltic region , noone in Sweden knows them, so will those recommendations even help me? I will have one recommendation from a trainer/rider in Sweden, but he is Portuguese and mostly does Working Equitation.

I have noticed that the Swedes are exellent English speakers - which is also appearant in this forum So perhaps if I work freelance it shouldn't be a problem.
Thank you so much for your advice on the legal and tax issues - I will definitely look into that, so that my "business" is legal.

In regards to making a living of it... Well I don't think there are many countries where riders/trainers get paid a lot. If I did it for the money - well, I wouldn't do it Here, in Lithuania, I also work in my family's business alongside with my training so I can definitely make ends meet - and enjoy doing what I love.
To begin with I know for a fact that I would not be doing it full time or earning a lot. But that's fine as I have a little son (he is only 3 months old now), and my husband studies full-time, so I wouldn't have the time to work a lot anyway.

Again, apologies for this long post - but you are helping me so much, it's great I was feeling very sceptical and doubtful regarding my prospects as an instructor in Sweden, but you've made me feel as if it can actually happen!

I am very interested - what are the training "fashions and trends" in Sweden now?

 

[SaraXX]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

Working Equitation is "on the move" so if you´re in to that - i don´t think you´ll have a problem

 

[moon]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

The most important thing is to built a good reputation as a instruction, that goes all over the world. So if you are good at your work you get lots of jobs over time.
The economy today all over the world will hold you back a little bit, since people cant afford as much training as before. Someday it will be better offcourse.......

Skåne is a big horse area, so its a good place to start at as an instructor you need a car in Sweden, and that cost a lot since the gasoline are VERY expensive in Sweden !!
I dont think you can make a living of it in Sweden, since everything is so expensive here, and if you pay taxes it will be even harder. Most instructors who pay taxes has a business, where they educate young horses, breeding work, and instruct people...................

Good luch whatever you do Ewa

 

[Araminta]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

Hi and Welcome!

I really haven't got anything constructive to say but when reading this discussion I started to hear this really broad swedish accent in my head and now I can't get rid of it!! Trying to read a quite serious article in English at the same time and it doesn't work out at all with the horrible accent

I'm blaming the late hour

A big GOOD LUCK and fingers crossed. I think you'll do just fine

 

[Boerperd]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

If I were I would contact a stable that you think might be intressed in the your specialareas and see If you can come and have guest lessons and see If your teaching suites Swedish people... And also to see If you like the Swedes;-)

 

[Ottilia]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

if you're into WE maybe this homepage can help you were to start: http://www.workingequitation.se/

As someone said, WE is growing in Sweden, we even had a clinic introducing it to the local ridingschool a couple of years ago. I think you could reach out to curious people maybe by offering weekend- introduction sessions. That would be a fun event that will probably work well for introducing new people to the sport and as yourself as a trainer. I think if it is easy to book two or three lessons more people will be willing to try a new trainer before they commit

 

[Justina]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

Working Equitation is "on the move" so if you´re in to that - i don´t think you´ll have a problem

I know that WE is quite "hot" in Sweden now, unfortunately, I have no training in it, the instructor that I have visited (the one who can recommend me), Paulo Bastos, was giving me dressage tuition... Had I known that Working Equitation would help me - I would have definitely done that!

 

[Justina]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

The most important thing is to built a good reputation as a instruction, that goes all over the world. So if you are good at your work you get lots of jobs over time.
The economy today all over the world will hold you back a little bit, since people cant afford as much training as before. Someday it will be better offcourse.......

Skåne is a big horse area, so its a good place to start at as an instructor you need a car in Sweden, and that cost a lot since the gasoline are VERY expensive in Sweden !!
I dont think you can make a living of it in Sweden, since everything is so expensive here, and if you pay taxes it will be even harder. Most instructors who pay taxes has a business, where they educate young horses, breeding work, and instruct people...................

Good luch whatever you do Ewa

Without a doubt reputation is of utmost importance - it's one of the reasons why I am so scared of leaving my current jobs, as I have already established a reputation for myself here, and in Sweden I would be starting from zero
Anyway, I'm not looking to completely make a living of it - first of all, I want to do what I love. If all goes well and I earn a good reputation and make new connections then it might be possible to get into more work with horses. Or not I might just do the training thing part-time and work in a different area

How much is petrol these days in Sweden? I actually drive a diesel car, so that would be more relevant. Here in Lithuania petrol prices are currently around 14-15 SEK per litre.

 

[Justina]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

Hi and Welcome!

I really haven't got anything constructive to say but when reading this discussion I started to hear this really broad swedish accent in my head and now I can't get rid of it!! Trying to read a quite serious article in English at the same time and it doesn't work out at all with the horrible accent

I'm blaming the late hour

A big GOOD LUCK and fingers crossed. I think you'll do just fine

Haha, I'm pretty sure that it's not as bad as you say The worst accents by far (to my ear) are Slavic

Thanks for the support

 

[Justina]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

If I were I would contact a stable that you think might be intressed in the your specialareas and see If you can come and have guest lessons and see If your teaching suites Swedish people... And also to see If you like the Swedes;-)

Well that's one of my main dilemmas - should I be trying to work at a stable or should I try to freelance? At the moment I think that freelancing would possibly give me more working opportunities - I might be wrong, of course.
And as for liking the Swedes I've spent some time in Sweden (on holiday and riding) and met a lot of Swedes - so far it's been great You guys are much more open, friendly and tolerant (of immigrants such as myself ) than, for example, the Danish, who don't like you unless you can speak the language In Sweden I've never encountered that problem. Of course, I absolutely must learn Swedish, but I don't find that a problem - I love learning new languages

 

[Justina]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

if you're into WE maybe this homepage can help you were to start: http://www.workingequitation.se/

As someone said, WE is growing in Sweden, we even had a clinic introducing it to the local ridingschool a couple of years ago. I think you could reach out to curious people maybe by offering weekend- introduction sessions. That would be a fun event that will probably work well for introducing new people to the sport and as yourself as a trainer. I think if it is easy to book two or three lessons more people will be willing to try a new trainer before they commit

Like I said, unfortunately, I have no training in WE But since it's so popular I might decide to get some training in it with my instructor Thanks !

 

[Lobelia]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

Well that's one of my main dilemmas - should I be trying to work at a stable or should I try to freelance? At the moment I think that freelancing would possibly give me more working opportunities - I might be wrong, of course.
And as for liking the Swedes I've spent some time in Sweden (on holiday and riding) and met a lot of Swedes - so far it's been great You guys are much more open, friendly and tolerant (of immigrants such as myself ) than, for example, the Danish, who don't like you unless you can speak the language In Sweden I've never encountered that problem. Of course, I absolutely must learn Swedish, but I don't find that a problem - I love learning new languages

I don't actually think you have to decide if to try to work at a stable or freelance, you could do both on a part time base. If you want to learn Swedish fast its good to have colleges to talk with and since you have a little one it might work to try to find a part time work and and try to get some freelance work on the side, and when the child grows up and you get more contacts expand that side and maybe quit the job if all goes well.

 

[Ottilia]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

Like I said, unfortunately, I have no training in WE But since it's so popular I might decide to get some training in it with my instructor Thanks !

Sorry I missed that, I skimmed through your answer as I was on a lecture () and I thought you had WE training.

 

[Kosmostanten]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

Welcome to Sweden
I can't answer your questions, but I'm so curious about the horse and equestrian life in Lithuania. Are there a lot of horses ? what breeds, and how are the horses kept?
I visitid Lithuania for the first time about a month ago. We stayed in the Klaipeda/Neringa area for about a week, and we hardly saw any horses at all...though I was looking for them all the time (as I suppose all horse-lovers do wherever they go )
I was thinking that perhaps the horses aren't let out to graze? since we didn't see any fences either. My Lithuanian-born sister-in-law, who was our guide, didn't know, since she's never been interested in horses.

Only horse we met was this beautiful little guy in Klaipeda:

Unfortunately, the driver didn't speak English, so she couldn't answer all my questions.

Sorry for an offtopic post

 

[Sar]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

Are you bringing a horse or are you planning to buy one? Your rep will grow if you do well yourself on various events and competitions.
Are you getting any "parental wages" for your son?

I think it can be quite hard to fit in a lot of lessons with at 3 month old baby (at least if your breastfeeding).

I suggest that you put up posters on billboards in different stables or put in an ad in the local paper. Go around different stables and present yourself, maybe offer a free lesson or two to get references?

You can also offer to ride and educate horses yourself, maybe that will work even better?
I don't think the language will be a problem anyways.

I wish you the best of luck and welcome you to Sweden!
P.S. I also doubt that WE really should be that popular, it's quite a new branch so maybe it will be easier that way, there aren't that many WE teachers.

 

[Lager]

Sv: Working as a riding instructor in Sweden?...

I think a good start is to contact the ridingschools and major ridingclubs in the area, perhaps also privat stables - to see if you might be able to have lessons there on a weekly on monthly basis. Perhaps work part time in one of the ridingschools? That way you automatically get into contact with trainers, riders, and can start buildning up a reputation and a social network.

Sar makes a good point concerning competitions and events - that is an excellent opportunitie to be seen, and to network. Skåne is not that big, even if there is a lot of horses and riders - and if you make good results people will notice you. Especially if you make good results on different horses, and therefore show that you´re capable of educating both horse and rider so to speak.

Here WE is not that big, even if we have one small club that offers WE-training, academic ridning, and a little western. But most private trainers, and all the main ridingclubs, focus on competions - mainly dressage, and/or showjumping.

Wish you all the best!