What questions should I be asking potential sharers??

[atillathefun]

Now I have my ad sorted - Thanks :)
I want to keep a list of questions to ask I know to ask usual stuff about experience and if they have shared before but can you think of anything else

Thankyou

[notpoodle]

what do they want to do with the horse (are they happy hackers? jumpers? dressage?)? do they have a rough idea what to do if something goes wrong (first aid wise. obviously, theyd ring you and/or the vet in an emergency but id want to be sure they at least know what to put on ie a cut or something). have they ridden outside lessons (someone i know has just started sharing a horse .... turns out she has never picked out feet or done a girth up on her own in her life ...)? would they still pay and help if they couldnt ride (if the horse is lame or something)? i'd also be wary of people who bang on about just how experienced and great they are, as those people tend not to be :D

julia
x

[atillathefun]

Thankyou theres some good points there and your so right about the ones that bang on - I too had a sharer for a couple of weeks who hadnt ridden outside of lessons, she told me she had but couldnt tack up or muck out!!

[Ross]

Do they intend to have lessons with your horse?
Age, height and weight (height and weight obviously because of their suitability to ride the horse, but age will tell you whether they're personally paying the bills or their parents...)
Sre they used to being in charge of the horse (it's very different from being at a riding school - needn't be the end of everything, but you need to know)
Do they have their own transport? (for themselves, not the horse!)

Also, try and just natter to them - lots of things come out when you're just talking! And it's important that you can get on with the person.

Hope you find someone nice :)

Ross

[april89]

Best thing to do is to have possible sharers up a couple of times. Show them what to do the first time, watch them the next and go from there. Once you've found a sharer just drop in on occasions that you know they'll be there (during a trial period) and just check everythings fine (although i would tell them you'll be doing that else they may feel a bit affronted) just talk to them the whole time. People exagurate but by watching them you should get a good feeling about what they're like. When I started loaning a previous horse the owner made my first ride one with her instructor teaching me so she could get a more objective opinion)
Good luck - only wish I lived closer!

[Wobblydeb]

Ask them what their plans are for insurance, and what will happen if they cannot make it to the yard (if they are going to be caring for, as well as ridding your neddy). :)

When I looked at a share, the owner borrowed another livery's horse and came out on a hack with me. It was nice - I got to see some of the surrounding area, and she got a chance to see how I rode her horse :)

You might want to ask if they have a registered instructor or person known to you who can provide a reference (verbal or written) :)

[xhorse_riderx]

if they have any experience with stable juties and first aid for horses.