How to become a Horse Trainer
Educates and prepares horses for riding, breeding, racing, work, show, competitions, or other horse sports and activities.
Main tasks
- Evaluates horses' physical condition and temperament to determine training needs
- Develops and implements training programs to improve horses' performance and behaviour, and reports on horses' progress
- Educates horses to obey verbal and non-verbal commands
- Trains horses to accept riders and pull vehicles
- Trains and conditions horses to perform in competitions, races and other horse-related activities
- Provides care and maintenance for horses, including feeding, grooming and medical attention
- May evaluate and select horses for purchase or sale based on their potential and suitability
- May assist with breeding and foaling processes, including selecting suitable mates and overseeing mating procedures
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Horse Care (ACM30821); Certificate IV in Racing (Racehorse Trainer) (RGR40118); Certificate III in Racing (Trackwork Rider) (RGR30518); Certificate IV in Equine Care (ACM40921); Diploma of Equine Management (ACM50421); Diploma of Horse Stud Management (RGR50319); Diploma of Racing (Racehorse Trainer) (RGR50118)
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $66,352 a year
- About 26,000 people work in this job group now, and about 28,900 are projected by 2035. (+11%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Horse Trainer?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Horse Care; Certificate IV in Racing (Racehorse Trainer).
How much does a Horse Trainer earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $66,352 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Horse Trainer a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 26,000 to about 28,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Horse Trainer?
Usually not. Only 9% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Horse Care; Certificate IV in Racing (Racehorse Trainer).
Will AI change the work of a Horse Trainer?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04