Advice on a "sort of" share.....

I

iang

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Hi all,
Im Ian, I've just joined up so please be gentle with me!

I'm looking for some equine related advice and what better place to come.... I hope

so, I've just got into riding. I rode as a child but it's been about 18 years since being in saddle. I'm having lessons and have recently begun to ride my partners 16.1 TB. Which now Im Back riding a big riding school cob is getting a bit frustrating. the reason I'm not riding my partners horse all the time is because I'm in Bristol, her stables are two hours away in Shropshire.

now I'm becoming established and enjoying riding more and more i want to learn more about the stable management, horse care etc an also to ride a more forward horse.
so my question is, how do I go about finding someone I can help with the stable side of things but would be willing to help me develop as a rider.

And if anyone knows of a riding school in or around Bristol that has forward horses. Would need something reasonably big, I'm 6 foot 4!

cheers,

Ian.
 
Problem with riding school horses is that they will never be as 'forward' as for example your partner's horse, all RC horses are pretty dead to the legs as they are kicked day in day out by various riders of all levels of abilities. However that is not to see you cant get a RS horse moving - you just need to get better with your riding!

Speak to your current riding school first and explain your problem - you might be limited to that one horse because of your height, or they might have an alternative horse for you to ride who is not so sluggish. Ask for extra help with getting the horse more forward, all horses will be forwards you just have to work a lot harder at getting it out of a RS horse! Your instructor should advise you to do lots more transitions - for example when you first get on, do you work in open order? If you do (i.e. dont go straight into a ride and have 5-10 mins of warming up by yourselves) then instead of just walking and trotting round and round, start by doing LOADS of transitions, and never accepting a sluggish transition from the horse.

Your instructor should also help you with your aids - you need to get better at giving a firm squeeze, if that doesnt work quickly followed by a firm kick, and if that doesnt work quickly followed by a sharp tap with the crop/schooling whip. Too many people just tickle their horses with the whip and dont actually use it properly - RS horses again are pretty dead to just being tickled with the whip, they will have that all the time so you need to be firm with them.

I dont mean this to sound harsh in any way but it sounds like its a bit too soon for you to share a horse - that is a logical step after you feel you have done all you can with RS horses. Once I reached the point where I could get all of the horses (even the laziest horse) to canter a 20m circle without stopping that was when it clicked I was probably ready for a share. They could put me on any of the horses at the RS and I was confident I could ride that horse well and get a good result from it. That took me almost 2 years (I was riding for many years as a youngster, had a break, went back to the RS and then spent 2 years having lessons).

Ask your RS if they offer stable management lessons too - most will offer courses or something like that in horse care and stable management. And try google if you are really not happy with your current RS, I've done a quick search and this place looks great (says they dont do beginners really, for people that can already trot and above so sounds like it could suit you):

http://www.avonridingcentre.org.uk/about-the-avon-riding-centre/

Ring around a number of riding schools and explain your situation, ask if they have horses suited to you (with your height that might rule a few places out) - go along and watch a few lessons at these schools and see what you think.

Hope this helps and good luck!
 
Hi KC,
I think I've probably asked the wrong question. It's not really a horse share I'm after in the truest sense. I guess I'm looking to see if anyone would like to have a willing assistant a few nights a week. And then maybe in the future it circumstances suit I can ride.
I'm still a little green to most of this so apologies.
I can get the RS horse to canter in a circle without to much of a problem, he's just particularly dead legged as you mentioned.

Daft as it sounds, I haven't rang round any other schools but had looked at the one you suggested and handily, it's 2 mins from work. I'm going to nip in tomorrow and make some enquiries.

Thanks for the taking the time to give some much needed advice!

Ian.
 
I think saying no RS horse will be as forward as his partner's horse is very wrong. Our RS horses are anything but! One decided to scamper off and belt round the yard today. The big lads, all fairly young, are very forward, responsive and ridden out by the YM.

I hope you find what you're looking for, OP.
 
iang said:
Hi KC,
I think I've probably asked the wrong question. It's not really a horse share I'm after in the truest sense. I guess I'm looking to see if anyone would like to have a willing assistant a few nights a week. And then maybe in the future it circumstances suit I can ride.

I think you might struggle to find this kind of arrangement, most owners want someone relatively experienced however there is no harm in trying - I'd suggest you post on advert explaining what you are looking for; maybe say you want to learn more about horse care and stable management so are offering your services for free in helping out with stable duties in exchange for a bit of guidance/tuition and eventually some riding in the future.

The best places to advertise would be on Preloved, Equine Adverts and local horsey facebook groups. I think this kind of advert would be free on those sites so you wouldnt have to spend any money either.

Good luck with the riding school today - let us know how you get on!
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kc100 said:
I think you might struggle to find this kind of arrangement, most owners want someone relatively experienced however there is no harm in trying - I'd suggest you post on advert explaining what you are looking for; maybe say you want to learn more about horse care and stable management so are offering your services for free in helping out with stable duties in exchange for a bit of guidance/tuition and eventually some riding in the future.
Click to expand...

I for one would be more than happy to have someone to help/advise/boss on stable management and horse handling. I think Ian has a great plan and I did exactly the same for a lady who had two. I mucked out and turned out both every Saturday in return for a 45 minute plod, I learnt loads even though I don't manage my own stables like she did. I got ideas to take away and learnt what I wouldn't do, I'm eternally greatful for those 6 months.
 
Hi 9tails. That's exactly the sort of arrangement I'm looking for, glad to find someone who's had such a positive experience to share and that they may exist somewhere in the big wide world.

I'll pop a post on those sites KC and see what comes of it. I'm going to ask at avon riding school too, i believe they are a riding school for both disabled and able bodied riders. Maybe some sort of volunteering role a few hours a week may help them too
That feels like its giving something back to the world too which is always a nice prospect.

Ian.
 
I popped into Avon riding school today. Looks really good! Slight problem in that I'm 2 stone over the weight limit!! Most of their horses are for kids so not suitable for me. That was the same of kingsweston riding school in Bristol.......... ******!!

The search continues.....
 
What a shame! Always seems bonkers to me that riding schools dont cater for heavier riders these days, to write off tall people like yourself or the vast amount of people who are a bit heaver than the norm (my fiance would be one, he's short but stocky and plays rugby, he's about 15st and he'd never be allowed on at a RS!).

I have however had a look at preloved to see what is for part loan around the Bristol area - what about this chap? http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/109083953/part-loan-17hh-wbx-gelding.html

He looks gorgeous! Might be worth contacting his owner to explain your situation, I think if you told him/her you were planning on having regular lessons with the horse they might be ok with it - yes you are not super experienced but if you are reliable and show you are willing to learn they would be foolish to turn you down.

How about this one? Not sure how close to you they are but size wise horse should be good and its a bit older than the last one:
http://www.horsemart.co.uk/17-1-tb-gentle-giant-for-full-loan-possible-share-/Horses/307516
 
I went to see Summer House and Tumpy Green Schools today. Both looked very very good. However, Summer house looked the best. And I could see the benefit of an indoor ménage when it was blowing a gale outside!

I'm going to give those ones a ring this evening, have a chat and see how it goes.
Will let you know....
Ian.
 
Don't rule out looking for a share, I have a lady for my TB, like you she could ride but really needed more experience on the ground. TBH i'd be lost without her now!

She pays slightly more than your average share but in exchange we concentrate on something new to learn every weekend, for example how to pull a mane, bandage, put studs in etc. While we mix feeds I can talk to her about the feeds I use and why I use them, what they contain etc etc. Most of the things I show her i'd be doing anyway with my other horse so it's not really a problem for me.

She's been with me for almost a year, I do think that it's a good idea to try and stay with someone for at least that amount of time, that way you have gone through the seasons and have experienced things like what rugs to use, worming programs and such like. I've also let her know when the farrier, dentist, vet is coming and that way if she wants to be there she can experience those aswell. She's also come to a few shows to groom for me and recently we went to her first clear round.

My biggest advice would to be honest about your ability's and knowledge, be willing to learn and then like my lady make yourself indispensable! A lot of people would appreciate the extra help especially if they own more than one horse.

I hope you find something suitable and well done on wanting to broaden your knowledge!
 
Hi CeeCee,
I'm going to give them a look and ask if I can meet them and explain what I'm after and what I can offer. Fortunately, I have lots of time and can use it however I like.
I'm obviously going to carry on with the lessons in the background. Also, my partner has offered to help me out if I can find someone who'd like some help...
Ian.
 
Sounds exciting. With winter coming up I am sure a lot of people would like help. Did the RDA place need volunteers? how about local horse charities? I am fairly close to World Horse Welfare (ILPH as was) in Norfolk and did my NVQ stage 1 & 2 there a few years ago, I think they were toying with the idea of doing a horse owners certificate. Some colleges also do part time and distance learning. Another avenue to try would perhaps be your local Riding Club, they are always looking for volunteers for shows, jump judging, dressage writers etc. You can learn a lot from helping out and make good contacts.

I agree that you need to be absolutely honest about your ability, nothing more annoying (or dangerous) than someone who pretends to know what they don't. It doesn't help your learning experience either.

I would keep on with the riding lessons too - keep us posted!
 
Well that's nice of you to say so. It's better than being a miserable ****** I suppose!

I am on Facebook, do you know what the page is called?

Ian.
 
Started having lessons at summerhouse Equestrian centre. Very impressed so far! Good instructors and nice forward and responsive horses.
Not had chance to dig into the share thing much but will get to it later this week I hope.
 
I know this is a few months old now but I was in your position back in May 13. Tumpy do a free horse care diploma which is sat mornings 9-1 you get 1/2 riding lesson and then you have practical work and then work in the classroom. Its really built up my knowledge and I now actually own a horse! Their always taking people so give them a call and speak to Renee. Good luck Karina
 
I second Urchinwood. I went there for jump/XC lessons before I went onto share. They have great facilities and horses. They used to have an adults dressage lesson at the same time as mine and they all had fairly large horses. As Smellsofhorse said, Michelle (I think) runs the BHS there too. They also hold BE events and I did some jump judging for them, which was a great experience to see things from a judges POV.

Feel free to PM me if you want.
 
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