Ad hoc share

F

Filly

Active Member
Joined
5 March 2017
Messages
41
Visit site
Hi

I am new to the equestrian world so I may be asking the impossible.

My son (10yrs) currently has lessons once a week. He is a very nervous rider and is not confident around horses or handling them at all.

He did attend Pony Club but it was very busy and consequently it has actually made him worse as there are so many confident girls there who make him feel embarrassed at his lack of experience.

I can't afford our own pony or really commit to a share agreement as I work shifts, but do adhoc agreements exist? for example - I book a day for a fee and we can go and groom, ride etc - but not have a commitment to have to do it every week or the same days each week.

I am in Northampton if anyone can suggest anything. Many thanks
 
They do - but it would be very difficult to find. I'd be happy to enter into an agreement like this with my perfect PC pony. But I'd have to know the family or get a request through an instructor first. (And I'm in surrey so no use to you anyway.)

It might be worth speaking to the Pony Club DC and explain the issue. Did you go to a branch rather than a center? Even girls get shy and nervous - and have to learn this stuff too, so it may be he was just in the wrong group. Also they might have an idea if anyone on the committee or an active parent might have a pony where this sort of arrangement could work.
 
Every share agreement is different so I'm sure there are people out there who have a pony that would love a bit of love and attention.

What you need is someone who will be around regardless of whether you can be there or not, maybe someone who has a nice pony and either their small jockey has got too big or lost interest.

Why not check out Preloved in your area, or put up a wanted ad?
 
Does your son actually want to ride? I can't help wondering why a boy who is nervous both handling and riding horses would want to carry on instead of going and playing football or his xBox?

As for an ad hoc arrangement, what's wrong with the one you have already with a riding school?

I can't help on whether you could get an arrangement privately, but I would have thought that a lot of people would not want a very nervous child to handle their pony. I have two, and I wouldn't, especially after the recent case where a girl won £3 million damages after falling of someone's horse.

Post where you are, Heidi, someone might be able to help you.
 
Last edited:
Many thanks everyone.

We have asked him frequently if he wants to continue riding but he insists he does. Unfortunately he has had a number of falls whilst jumping which scared him. He doesn't jump anymore - just does flat work.

The riding school do not have ponies to hire. They are very busy and the ponies are always required.
 
Pity you didn't live here, I know a lovely little pony who would suit. You can find a local pony who is maybe half retired or something so owner doesn't mind if it's used or not. I would say if he is still keen on riding private lessons would be the best thing for hi even if you paid for an hour and he only rode 30mins but had to groom, tack and warm up himself maybe. Some schools will be more helpful than others you just need to ask about.
 
He has private lessons as he prefers them. The trouble is that the horses are always in use - back to back lessons. I did suggest that we go to the school and I'll do stuff with him but he was mortified at that suggestion ����.

His school is shut for polling so I was going to go there with him then as there won't be many children about
 
Could he not be the first person at the yard then? And have his lesson before they're due to be used for lesson lessons?

Is there any trekking centre near by? He might enjoy just getting out without the pressure of lessons and people watching. It sounds like he's more nervous of the situation than the actual horses.
 
I am about five miles from Sixfields and have a very small, sweet and quiet pony your son would be welcome to come and groom and play with on the ground to get his confidence up a bit if that helps but I would need to be there (at least initially) to supervise

Pony could be taken in hand to fun shows too in time

The would be the possibility of riding in time (have larger pony) but not while he is nervous
 
Last edited:
HeidiPj said:
He has private lessons as he prefers them. The trouble is that the horses are always in use - back to back lessons. I did suggest that we go to the school and I'll do stuff with him but he was mortified at that suggestion ����.

His school is shut for polling so I was going to go there with him then as there won't be many children about
Click to expand...

Can you not choose what he does in his private lesson? Groom and handle for half an hour and ride for half an hour? I'll bet the pony would love it.
 
I've seen arrangements like this - saw one the other day looking for £10 every time you come as they wanted children to come fuss their ponies but could ride too if wanted.

I think riding school is still important though - I like the suggestions from others that he's the first one there or pay an hour to include grooming. If current one isn't willing could you find other riding schools instead maybe?
 
WelshD said:
I am about five miles from Sixfields and have a very small, sweet and quiet pony your son would be welcome to come and groom and play with on the ground to get his confidence up a bit if that helps but I would need to be there (at least initially) to supervise

Pony could be taken in hand to fun shows too in time

The would be the possibility of riding in time (have larger pony) but not while he is nervous
Click to expand...

Many thanks. Would he be too big to ride this one?
 
HeidiPj said:
Many thanks. Would he be too big to ride this one?
Click to expand...

I suppose it depends on how tall your son is, pony is only 11.2hh. he is dog quiet on the lead rein but takes the mickey out of some riders off the lead rein so a nervous rider is not suited but he is rock solid on the ground and will stand to be groomed and be dragged about on the ground very happily so could be good for confidence building if its simple time around ponies that your son needs

To echo what someone else said you'll struggle to find someone (outside of an official riding school) who will let a nervous person ride their own ponies in a share situation - it could be an insurance nightmare

In time if he gets more confident that would be different
 
WelshD said:
I suppose it depends on how tall your son is, pony is only 11.2hh. he is dog quiet on the lead rein but takes the mickey out of some riders off the lead rein so a nervous rider is not suited but he is rock solid on the ground and will stand to be groomed and be dragged about on the ground very happily so could be good for confidence building if its simple time around ponies that your son needs

To echo what someone else said you'll struggle to find someone (outside of an official riding school) who will let a nervous person ride their own ponies in a share situation - it could be an insurance nightmare

In time if he gets more confident that would be different
Click to expand...

What a lovely offer, a real chance to just chill with a pony.

If I knew how to add smiley faces I would lol
 
WelshD said:
I suppose it depends on how tall your son is, pony is only 11.2hh. he is dog quiet on the lead rein but takes the mickey out of some riders off the lead rein so a nervous rider is not suited but he is rock solid on the ground and will stand to be groomed and be dragged about on the ground very happily so could be good for confidence building if its simple time around ponies that your son needs

To echo what someone else said you'll struggle to find someone (outside of an official riding school) who will let a nervous person ride their own ponies in a share situation - it could be an insurance nightmare

In time if he gets more confident that would be different
Click to expand...

Many thanks - I will definitely speak to him. I think he would be too big as he rides 13.1 - 15hh at the stables
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
ask your riding school if they run stable management lessons or "pony days" in the school holidays.
Click to expand...

yes they do and he has attended them but they are so busy that the instructors don't have the time to spend with him. They are expected to be able to get on and do it at his age.
 
For the cost of an occasional share, I'd aim for two lessons a week and arrange them fir first thing / last thing so that you can work with the pony before or after the lesson. There will be stacks of older retired ponies than could do with attention and handling, but he may want to combine it with riding - be led by him.

I'd also try another riding school. Enough falls while learning to.jump to scare him suggests either pushing him too quickly, putting him on the wrong pony, or very very bad luck. A good school will understand the desire to have pony time- you ought to be able to find somewhere that will.let him quickly fuss and groom before or after a lesson.

What about asking for some handy pony / TREC type lessons? Brilliant for confidence!
 
HeidiPj said:
yes they do and he has attended them but they are so busy that the instructors don't have the time to spend with him. They are expected to be able to get on and do it at his age.
Click to expand...

Private stable management lessons to get him upto speed then, or ask if there's a novice adults course he could join. He won't feel quite such a misfit then as he would in a group of novice but younger children. If you were to put an ad out for someone with a retired horse he could use to gain non-ridden experience with I'm sure you'd find something and probably for free.
 
We are going to muck and turn out my instructors horse today so I will chat with him then. I have also been private messaged by another owner who may know of a pony.
 
Had a chat whilst doing my instructors pony. He wants to ride but doesn't "think " he wants to look after one unless he can ride it too. I am just going to leave it for now and aee what develops!

Many thanks everyone
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top