Advice on sharing a horse

[louise1]

Hi there people. I would like to try share a horse so that i can learn about looking after a horse whilst i learn how to ride. I was going to advertise myself on the classified part on Nr but want a bit of advise first.

Here goes.... I have only had 5 lessons so far, i am still perfecting my rising trot/serpentines/trail tracking etc. Should i have a lot more lessons first before i advertise? I am confident around horses but i will not do more than i am taught/told to do etc ( i did ride 20+ years ago but am still a novice) I am on the heavy side -15 stone size 18-20 but currantly am learning on a 16 2 hh horse with no problems - would my weight be a problem sharing? I am, in the new year, planning to go heathly and lose my weight due to my dream on horse riding/sharing/loaning etc. I am willing to muck out/groom/clean tack etc and generally do all the dirty stuff! but i will be have to be shown by the owner what to do (only the once as i am a quick learner!) I would also be available 3 times a week to help out, one day is a sunday, but i do have riding lessons on a thursday morning.(i could even cover the owners hols!!)

What do you think? should i wait a bit until i have had more lessons/lost weight? Or, should i, in the new year just put a honest advert in the classifieds and hope for the best?

:D

merry christmas everyone!!:)

[danielle:>]

Hiya,

I wouldn't wait to lose weight till you start advertising, as long as you specify in you ad that you want something big and/or cobby, you should be fine. Sharing is a great experience, with the right horse (I shared about a year ago but the horse was a little crazy - still learnt a lot though) you can learn loads. I'm sure you'll be able to find something safe and suitable for your level of riding, which can teach you a lot, and you will have a great time! :) Keep us updated on you search, and we would love regular updates when you do find your perfect share! Good luck! :P

Danielle
xxx

PS - Try having a look on adtrader for a share, either the paper or website (they have the same ads) as you should see a few advertised local to you. You could also put up ads in your local livery yards, as I'm sure some owners would like a sharer but haven't advertised. That's how I found my first share. You could also contact your local riding club and ask if they know of anything suitable.

[Afellpony]

I would wait a bit until you've had a few more lessons, then think about having a horse on loan.

[c2b]

I assisted someone with their horse for about a year. Started off doing everything supervised then went on to pretty much do it alone. I did very little riding of that horse and kept up my lessons at a RI. If you just want to learn the nuts and bolts of horse keeping rather than riding along with the realities of owning a horse you will I am sure find many an owner who would be pleased to have help during the winter months and teach you in return. When it comes to riding though many owners myself included get very protective of their horses especially with novices.
As for your weight... Within a year of owning my own I have lost over 4 stone!!!

[amandal]

I'd chat to your instructor, that's how I got my first share, he put me in touch with someone, the owner was reassured because my RI had recommended me, you soon lose weight/get fit etc riding and caring for them.

[Chinarider]

I agree with Amandal s suggestion, speak to your RI. perhaps you could loan a school horse , I am sure they would appreciate some help during the week .

Good luck :)

[Alfies-slave]

Nothing personal, but I wouldn't share a horse with someone with little experience. I wouldn't want someone making mistakes with one of mine!

It is best, and cheaper for you if you help out at a riding school where there are experienced people on hand. Once you can ride and have learnt about stable management you will be compedent enough to take on a horse of your own or share one.

[Debs0571]

I am in a similar position to you, had 7 lessons and I have been truly bitten by the horse bug! I have spoken to a few people and have decided to wait until spring, to look for a share, mainly to get a few more lessons in and feel more comfortable with tacking, untacking, basic stable management etc. I can really empathise though, I guess we have to be giuded for a little while untill we have a little more experience!:D
Let us know how you get on...

[Ross]

Is there any chance of you being able to help out at the RS? That way, you'd build up some basic knowledge before advertising for a share, which would give owners more confidence. But I wouldn't let being very novice put you off - I had a very novice rider sharing Rohan at one point and it was fine, though he was on part livery so she didn't need to do any stable chores, and I knew the other people at the yard were keeping an eye on things when I wasn't around. That may sound like we were spying on her, but it's very easy to make mistakes around horses, and it helps to have someone around when you're not very sure...

Ross

[Waikato Valuta]

I have been looking for someone to do this with my horse. People are so hard to find. Although I must admit he would need a more experienced rider.

My friend however has the perfect horse. A 16hh Clydesdale who can hack all day and do the odd jump. He is ridden by Beginners. But I find it so hard to find people. A few people have responded to my advertisements but the either not turned up or never rung back.

I would snap you up if you were over here.

[Deana]

Hi Louise,

I am thinking of looking to loan this year at some point too and class myself as very novice. My RS do a stable management course, which i am considering doing first.

The horsey bug certainly grabs hold of you doesn't it.

[KateWooten]

I don't see any problem at all in you uadvertising straight away, and asking around. You're obvously completely honest about your abilities, and what you're prepared to do, and what you want to do. You might find someone locally who could benefit from your help for a few months, while you learn the ropes - that would make you invaluable to help people out with taking care of their horse if they had to go away for a weekend or whatever ... that way you'll start making horsey friends and you'll hear about horses to loan or share as they come up. I wouldn't expect to find a full share or loan at this point, just get out, help out, and see what happens.

[icegirl]

Dont see why you shouldnt start looking around and maybe getting some more lessons in the meantime. I think one thing tends to lead to another in the horsey world. If you are keen to do it, you will find a way.:)

[louise1]

thanks for all your responses , people, i knew i would get some good answers. i am going to ask my ri at my next lesson (04.01.07) to see if there are stable management courses available in the new year, also maybe to learn the ropes of horse care etc. Also i am thinking about uping my lessons to 2 a week!

But if there are any of you in the Fleet/farnborough/farnham/yateley/crondall etc area wanting a person to help you muck out and groom your horse (necessarily riding) give me a shout - i dont mind get my hands dirty!!!

[rowdent]

Good luck! I hope you find what you're after.. Horse sharing can be very rewarding... :D

[stormandsummer]

Good luck with advertising i knew before i found my sharer i would have snapped you up :D weight and being a novice is no problem with me and i am sure others will feel the same ( I am a larger rider too and proud of it :D ) my sharer is large too and was a complete novice she had never even sat on a horse but i spent alot of time with her and gave her lessons and supervision too she is worth her weight in gold to me, she is really helping me out at the moment being as i have broken my foot.

I totally trust her with my baby the way I see it we all have to learn/start somewhere ;) I know before i bought my first horse ( current ) one i helped out at the RS for ages, mind you this is where i bought roams from :D

good luck honey and never let your weight stop you from doing anything :D

[Soozy]

I advertised in Ad Trader and said that I only wanted to learn the ropes and to get my confidence back after 30 years of not being around horses. I felt it would be better to learn on a one-to-one basis. I finally had a call from a girl who had 4 horses and just wanted help in the winter when they were stabled for longer periods. It was great, I had a fantastic time, and learned loads, and made another friend! Being the winter I saw the work at it's worst, freezing cold mornings, fog, and dark afternoons! I took riding lessons from a School separately.

[xxxkristinaxxx]

I shared a horse once, but it didnt work out that well.
I would reccomend doing 'own a pony days' at your riding school (they do them for adults at some places).
Or help with friends horses, then when you are more confident get your own horse on loan.
If you did share a horse, its good if you get along with the other owner ....

[Retty]

Really depends on the horse owner, personally I prefer to have a novice sharer that way you can show the sharer how you like your horse cared for and give advice and guidance on how you would like your horse ridden aswell - this can be time consuming but for me well worth it! I would look for a share and just be as honest as possible, stating that you are looking for a cob type and that you are happy to learn all the care duties before taking on the share and continue to take lessons in the meantime - good luck with it all and I am sure you will find your perfect equine partner soon :)

[louise1]

thanks everyone for your responses. I will be asking later what to say in my advert.