Advice? First time sharing a horse.

equestrianabbie

equestrianabbie

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Hi everyone,

I hope you're all well.

I found a perfect horse a few miles from my home town that needs a sharer. I work part-time so I can make the 3 days a week, I can afford the monthly contribution. The only problem is that this is my first time sharing a horse, so I was wondering if any of you could give me some advice for when I go to see her on Wednesday.

Thanks in advance.
Abbie
 
I like it when sharers prove to be knowledgeable - I always go to tack up my horses and if someone offers to help/do it thats nice. Ask questions about what the horse has done and be specific in what the owner is looking for in a sharer as the wrong person really will drive the owner crazy! One lady I know wasnt specific enough in what she wanted in a sharer and now is desperate to get rid of said sharer but doesnt feel like she can (turns up way to late to do horse if doing morning, sharer doesnt know what she is and isnt allowed to do with said horse - its a bit of a nightmare all round). A contract between yourself and the owner is always helpful as it has in writing exactly what is expected from sharer/owner!!

Dont forget jods (as i dont like people riding in anything else as it can mark my saddle - fussy I know ;)!), hat, boots etc. Clarify what jobs you will need to do on your days as well! Hope it all works out well for you - have you owned/full loaned horses before?
 
Don't pretend to be someone you are not, just be honest about your abilities and experience. Honest and willing to learn is better than someone who pretends they know it all when they don't.

Ask as many questions as you want. Write the answers down.

I hope it goes well - I was lucky enough to have two lovely shares. :)
 
Snowysadude said:
I like it when sharers prove to be knowledgeable - I always go to tack up my horses and if someone offers to help/do it thats nice. Ask questions about what the horse has done and be specific in what the owner is looking for in a sharer as the wrong person really will drive the owner crazy! One lady I know wasnt specific enough in what she wanted in a sharer and now is desperate to get rid of said sharer but doesnt feel like she can (turns up way to late to do horse if doing morning, sharer doesnt know what she is and isnt allowed to do with said horse - its a bit of a nightmare all round). A contract between yourself and the owner is always helpful as it has in writing exactly what is expected from sharer/owner!!

Dont forget jods (as i dont like people riding in anything else as it can mark my saddle - fussy I know ;)!), hat, boots etc. Clarify what jobs you will need to do on your days as well! Hope it all works out well for you - have you owned/full loaned horses before?
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Thank your for the advice. I've spend a good few hours on the phone to the owner and she sounds absolutely lovely, I've been really lucky as I've heard a few horror stories.
She mainly needs someone to excerise the horse but I've said I'm more than happy to do the dirty work around the yard, I actually really enjoy it.

This is my first time, I've ridden and worked in riding schools/livery yards since I was 12 but I've never been financially stable to have my own horse. I've been looking for months for the perfect horse and I finally found her :-)
 
Heucherella said:
Don't pretend to be someone you are not, just be honest about your abilities and experience. Honest and willing to learn is better than someone who pretends they know it all when they don't.

Ask as many questions as you want. Write the answers down.

I hope it goes well - I was lucky enough to have two lovely shares. :)
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I totally agree with that :-)

I'm glad you had good experiences with your shares, did you write up contracts for each?
 
Just be very honest :)
I've been sharing with the same lady for 8 years now (2 horses) and I had no knowledge of 'jobs' when I started as I'd come from an RS so I'd never mucked out etc and she taught me everything.
If you are the right person for her horse she will be willing to teach you what you need to know - obviously different horses have different needs and routines.
Ask every question you need to know and don't be afraid of asking too much - showing interest can only be good!
Make sure you are clear what you can/can't do and ask about what you want out of said horse - for eg, if you want to hack where is there to hack? Is there someone you can hack with for the initial few weeks until you get confidence?
If you want to jump, does the horse? etc things like that.
When I tried my first pony out, I had a quick schooling session, a little jump and a walk round the roads on him, so I got an all round feel for everything.
Most importantly, just enjoy!!!! ;)
K x
ETA I've never had a contract, but I have been lucky in that Kel's owner has become more like a friend now I no longer pay towards her (except feed if I can get there before her! ;)) and have never had a reason to want to refer back to a contract. I really hope all goes well as sharing is the best thing I've ever done
 
Just make sure you communicate with the owner. Try to explain what you want from the share, be honest if you are having any problems with the horse and make it easy for her to talk to you about her side of things as well. I've had three wonderful sharers so it can work out!
 
Heucherella said:
Don't pretend to be someone you are not, just be honest about your abilities and experience. Honest and willing to learn is better than someone who pretends they know it all when they don't.

Ask as many questions as you want. Write the answers down.

I hope it goes well - I was lucky enough to have two lovely shares. :)
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^ this totally :)

I had to get a sharer for my mare a while back, due to money problems when i couldnt find work rather than a lack of time. The sharer was a novice when it came to stable chores/lunging ect and i taught her to do all those things and made a friend through it so it worked out really well :D
 
montyforever said:
^ this totally :)

I had to get a sharer for my mare a while back, due to money problems when i couldnt find work rather than a lack of time. The sharer was a novice when it came to stable chores/lunging ect and i taught her to do all those things and made a friend through it so it worked out really well :D
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That sounds brilliant. As I said, I've read so many horror stories before but I have such a good feeling about this. I've wanted this since I was about 10 so at almost 20 I'm so excited!
 
My daughter had 2 or 3 loans before we bought. Ask loads of questions and if once you have tried out the horse you are happy you could suggest a trial period to see how you all get on. We never had a contract but were lucky to have lovely owners and never had any problems. At the outset we asked very clearly that if we did anything that wasn't to the owners liking would they please, please tell us so we could put it right. I am pleased to say we had such a good reputation we that we were actually offered further loans by other owners on the yard because we were very particular and extremely reliable. I am very proud of that. :)
Good Luck and I hope it all goes well. Let us know how you get on.
 
jaijai said:
My daughter had 2 or 3 loans before we bought. Ask loads of questions and if once you have tried out the horse you are happy you could suggest a trial period to see how you all get on. We never had a contract but were lucky to have lovely owners and never had any problems. At the outset we asked very clearly that if we did anything that wasn't to the owners liking would they please, please tell us so we could put it right. I am pleased to say we had such a good reputation we that we were actually offered further loans by other owners on the yard because we were very particular and extremely reliable. I am very proud of that. :)
Good Luck and I hope it all goes well. Let us know how you get on.
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That's incredible, well done! The trial period is an excellent idea, thanks so much. I'm really hoping this all goes well, the owner seems absolutely lovely, we tend to have a good natter on the phone. I'll definitely let you know how it goes :-)
 
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