Sharing Dilemma?

[domane]

Being a natural-born-worrier this is something I have thought of, so at the moment it's purely hypothetical...

I have had a few enquiries from people to be Cherry's sharer (which I am absolutely delighted about :D ) Never thought I would be in a position where I would be able to choose the "right" one, but there you go!

Question is.... supposing you know that person is right for your horse BUT you really just don't like them? Do you grit your teeth and get on with it OR turn them down in the hope that someone better comes along.

Of course, ideally it would be a person who you do get on with. In the rose-tinted world of Jane I see my sharer as a new best friend but then my gemini twin steps in and slaps me back to reality and I realise that I may not actually like this person but that they are good with Cherry.

I don't expect to see a lot of them as we would be doing alternate days, but I would still expect fairly close contact...

Anyone been in this situation??? :)

[poohsmate]

never been in that situation myself, but i would not have anyone i did not feel comfortable with, regardless of how good a rider they are:(

[cazrider]

I agree with poohsmate Jane. I have to be able to get on with Sennie's sharer. It's pretty much as important. However, I think you'll find that if they are prepared to put Cherry's welfare first, and fit in with your routine, then they'd be fine anyway. You don't need them as "best friend" but I think it's really important that you like them and you agree over Cherry.:)

[Guest]

No you have to like them!!

[Whatanejit]

Definately have to like them Jane.

Will pm you.

xx

Dee

[ambatt]

Make sure you get on with the person or it will never work and it could get uppleasant.
Make sure you have a contract drawn up between you and your potential sharer.
Make sure your potential sharer has a 'rider only' insurance policy before she sets foot on your horses.
I recently had a very negative sharer experience, not one I would be in a rush to repeat, fortunately I have now found the most excellent loan home for my horse.

Good Luck!

[Libbyo]

Id agree. Liking the person is inmortant. You also need to tryust them. There are VERY few people in this world I could say I dont like but trust. Thinking about it cant even think of one person.
Id agree about the insurance too. Also set down on paper a contract type of thing.
Days, type of riding allowed, who rides- just the sharer or other outsiders?
Horse details
contact details
vet/emergency details
your next person to contact in an emergency detail
a time period ie 3months 6months reviewable
pament type
notice type
That way you both have everything above board at the begining.

libbyo :)

[katieB]

I couldnt imagine thinking someone was right for my horse unless I got on with them, its an important part of having a sharer. Im sure the right person will stand out a mile when you meet these people, if not then keep looking, after all its YOUR baby :)

[Skib]

Getting on amiably is important. And honesty essential. But lots of people who ride well dont have marvellous social skills with humans.
When I have a horse, or even when I am looking for a share, there are factors that come in.
First does the potential sharer really like your particular horse - or is it for them a second best choice because nothing better is on offer? I myself seem to click with some horses and not others. I was saying yesterday that there are horses at our yard - perfectly honest safe horses, that I dont really enjoy riding that much and I wouldnt want to share.
Then I would look for someone who can communicate well with your horse. It seems to me that the way people ride is as significant as how advanced they are. It is not worth sharing with a very experienced competent rider if she rides in a way that you dont like and your horse is not used to.

[domane]

First does the potential sharer really like your particular horse - or is it for them a second best choice because nothing better is on offer? I myself seem to click with some horses and not others. I was saying yesterday that there are horses at our yard - perfectly honest safe horses, that I dont really enjoy riding that much and I wouldnt want to share.
VERY good point Skib! One I hadn't even considered as I so adore my girlie that I imagine that naturally everyone will feel the same, but of course that is not necessarily so! Thanks for pointing that out.

[cazrider]

It's funny isn't it how we make the assumption that everyone will adore our horse like we do. Someone came to see Sennie when I advertised him to share, and she clearly didn't particularly like him. I was gobsmacked.:eek:

[NoviceNic]

You have to like your sharer. If you didnt like them then everything they do with Cherry will grate on you. I have to ditto what KatieB has said "The right person will stand out". I had got Bonnie almost lined up with one loan family but something was telling me not to let them say what day they would take her. I thought it was becuase I didnt really want Bonnie to go until another family rang and wanted to have her. They rang on the Tuesday and Bonnie was taken up to them on the Saturday. Of Course I had tears but I wasnt worried about the new loan family.

[colettybetty]

totally agree with Skib, I had a sharer for one of mine, she was relible and pleasant and we got on, but, I discovered my horse didn't like her.I had niggles about the situation and I thought it was just me being over protective, but then I realised it wasn't my horse she loved, it was the ride.Big difference !
My horse started napping with her and seemed to have lost his cheeky spark.I immediately stopped her riding him (tactfully:rolleyes: ) and the difference in him overnight was amazing.
still need a sharer for him, but will do without unless its someone that can add to the quality of his life.

[breeches]

whoever sees cherry will love her, its wether she likes them....