Looking for a sharer I think :(

CharliesAngel

CharliesAngel

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Jan 15, 2010
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gosh, years ago there were hoards of horsey mad folk looking for something to ride, where are they all now?

In all seriousness, we are in a very horsey area and I think nowadays , horse ownership is more common and they are easier to come by.

Anyway, Briea has been off for 2 weeks with me being away at the RHS and now Ive come home ill so I image she will be off another week :( Brook is turned away and I was hoping to bring her back into work at the end of the summer - realistically I will not keep the 2 of them going. So, Ive advertised for someone to come and ride, no contribution required. Just looking for someone who wants to come and hack her out and Id also travel her to lessons and comps for them. Not had anyone come forward :(
 
I would have snapped someone's hand off to have free riding in exchange for a bit of yard work. Just pondering here but could it seem 'too good to be true' do you think, potential sharers maybe wondering what's the catch? Although that wouldn't have put me off it might some folk?
 
As a rider who only rides at a riding school and who scours "sharer" adverts, it is really difficult. Any horse that sounds suitable is an unrealistically far journey and anything sufficiently local states experienced rider needed and/or no-one straight out of RS.
Whilst I understand why people want someone who has a decent breadth of riding experience to ride their horses, the riders most likely to want to share are those who are finding riding school not quite enough, so the two markets dont really quite match up!
 
ah yeh I do get that, it must be hard. I have to admit Ive said no beginners as well and Id include someone just out of RS :(
 
Where are you?
I do think it is out of touch to exclude riding school riders. I have been riding 14 years and have shared as well. I am none the less a RS rider and meet plenty of RS adult riders who have ridden since childhood and now have busy jobs, often involving overseas travel -so they buy their riding from riding schools. I know someone who has just retired and could be candidate for a share.
True that schools cater for kids and beginners - but in the south east of England where the costs of ownership are so high, schools offer much more than that - One can search out specialist lessons on high quality horses. We have staff taking BHS stage 4 and beyond and they all get expert tuition.
My experience last year was that people looking for sharers dont consider me - Just like you. But our teachers see how we ride and trust us. My share was one teacher's horse and the horse I switched to this year is another teacher's personal horse. The advantage of riding and loving your teacher's horse (over a normal share) is one knows it wont be sold on. These arrangements and shares are usually made by word of mouth.

However your ad may be confusing a share with getting unpaid help in return for riding. I would always expect to pay for a share. By charging for the share, you establish that you are offering something of value and attract replies to your ad. You can then use to money to employ help? Or negotiate with the sharer once you find they are good. The reason you may not have replies from potential helpers just now is that the riding schools take on extra staff in the summer and students who know horses take the RS jobs to help finance their uni courses.
 
I’m not looking for anything in return at all, not even any work. I’m just offering riding. Im in North East Scotland.. I hear what you are saying Skib but a privately owned, kept at home, quirky horse is still a million miles away from anything at a RS and where Im sure some experienced RS riders would do a great job, Im really not being precious - it’s about risk and liability. Everyone has to learn but its just the way of it that we learn a lot from our mistakes and you cant replace experience, and by that I mean experience outside of a RS, it’s never the same - you can have ridden for 20 years on grand prix level RS horses but hack out a green, home owned (so not got the routine of a yard and believe me they often ARE different) and you will be thrown a whole new set of challenges. I’m just covering my back.
 
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Calluna said:
As a rider who only rides at a riding school and who scours "sharer" adverts, it is really difficult. Any horse that sounds suitable is an unrealistically far journey and anything sufficiently local states experienced rider needed and/or no-one straight out of RS.
Whilst I understand why people want someone who has a decent breadth of riding experience to ride their horses, the riders most likely to want to share are those who are finding riding school not quite enough, so the two markets dont really quite match up!
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Where abouts are you Calluna? I've got a gorgeous if occasionally opinionated mare who I would happily share with someone like you.
 
When I was looking at ads, I avoided any with the words 'quirky' or 'needs experienced rider' as my experiences in buying horses has shown me that these phrases can be euphemisms for 'dangerous, barely rideable!!' I've been bucked off too many horses who were for sale! So now I always read those ads as meaning 'I can't ride my own horse so I want someone else come and school/retrain it for me'.

As that is not your situation I would make sure your ad is not putting people off. You can always assess their level of experience and ability after you get some interest.
 
I should add, if I had an arena I might think differently but at the moment the paddock i use to ride in is surrounded by mares & foals and a stallion so not really in use.
 
Ive literally just said, nice 14.2hh, looking for someone to ride her and Id happily transport to RC, no beginners. I thought Id find out more about the individual person rather than put anyone off if that makes sense
 
CharliesAngel said:
I hear what you are saying Skib but a privately owned, kept at home, quirky horse is still a million miles away from anything at a RS and where Im sure some experienced RS riders would do a great job, Im really not being precious - it’s about risk and liability.
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Well that puts paid to me ever sharing again - Quite frankly a horse is a horse. I have ridden friend's privately owned horses and seen no difference between them and RS horses. Obviously competition horses tend to be quicker off the leg - and I found the dressage warm bloods spooky. But that is why we were taught to ride so lightly and I like horses that respond to just a thought.
If you have quirky horse whom you havent yet taught to hack, it isnt surprising you cant find anyone to share it. Round here you would need to pay someone to school it for you. Again round here, the young trainers wear air vests for that.
And you can never cover yourself - either as rider or owner. Out hacking things happen - a sudden pheasant flying up or a green horse frightened and even the experienced riders and instructors come off and may end dead or in hospital. As happened to one young trainer earlier this year. That is the reality of it.
And from the sharers point of view - there are dozens of horses for share. But most very young and unschooled or very old.
 
@Skib I find that reply rather rude. I didn’t say my horse cant hack, she can hack very well thank you. I just wouldn’t risk someone with limited experience to take her out on their own. Of course I know I can’t cover myself completely, however I , as the responsible owner, can minimise the risks both to my horse, the rider and 3rd parties. Each to their own but in so many ways your reply is just cementing my thoughts.
 
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Your question was why you cant find a sharer. It wouldnt help if I simply said you were totally right. Or would it?

Two things are happening just now to make it harder for you. RSs are taking on and paying temporary staff to cover extra work during the school summer hols and people going off to uni in the autumn are looking for good sharers for their horses while they are away.
I am not looking for a share but I do know both the lovely horses I have ridden came to me via an RI. May be network with instructors and let them suggest an unlikely candidate. And put that rider on your horse.
It all depends on whether that horse and rider click. I am fine on a horse like my share other people on the yard may find a problem. But I am not happy on other horses that are regarded as simple and safe. I think it is the horse who chooses who it likes being ridden by. And you can tell from watching applicants try her.
 
I'd bite your hand off too, something nice to ride, have lessons, and compete with no jobs, its a shame you've had no bites, perhaps if both horses aren't doing a lot, as they are at home, advertising both together to perhaps both be part loaned/shared by 2 friends or let them know its loan of one but they have you to ride with too if they want, might be more attractive??? riding totally alone can be off putting for some people.
I have to say when I saw the ad for my loan there was a small contribution price on it, which was fine, but they don't actually charge anything, they just didn't want joy riders coming along :)
Are you part of a RC? perhaps they could put word about for you?
Have you tried your local FB horsey group? there is loads f people advertising wanting a share on ours at the moment, including quite a few students just wanting a summer of riding but it might get things going for you :)
 
Thanks Jessey - one of the reasons Im offering riding (perhaps sharer is the wrong word?) is because Brook is turned away at the moment but I plan to bring her back in at the end of summer and then I wont be able to keep 2 going, so if I had someone who wanted to hack out or join me at lessons they could ride Briea and Id take her along to lessons etc with Brook for them. Brook’s only turned away as she’s young and having a break to grow a bit.
Ive had someone come forward today :D fingers crossed.
 
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