Allowing someone else to ride/compete your horses?

Blizzard

Blizzard

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I have a lot going on at the moment, family stuff etc, and although Im still spending plenty of time with the horses, well I just dont seem to have the energy to ride at the moment.

I feel like Beau is missing out in a way, he is an absolute saint and so willing and kind, plus he is only 6, when we got him he had had a year off, but he was been going great since we got him.

However I feel he should be out doing stuff, he has had almost 2 months off now, for various injury reasons, (fighting!) but now he is fine and ready to be ridden again.

He is such a good horse and I know once some of my family stuff is sorted out I will be in a better frame of mind to start doing things.

I just dont know what to do to be honest, give him more time off while I get sorted out, or find someone to ride him.

My problem is trusting someone with him, and people lying about their abilities. I couldnt bear for something to happen to him or someone to ruin him.

Maybe time off is the way forward.

Lance is lame at the mo so thats not an issue.

Ho hum!
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What would you do?
 

Im in exactly the same position. Arch has been off for a week now and Ive advertised for a sharer or to go out on loan, as I to just dont have the time or the energy either at the mo, plus alot is going on in my life aswell. He to, is 6 and I feel he is being wasted.
 
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How long do you think it will be before you can start taking him out and about?
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Well the situation is my mum has a brain tumour so Im caring for her every day until 3pm, after that Im straight up the yard but because of the worry, and my younger bro to think about, well my time up the yard is just to relax to be honest.

Hence the lack of energy to ride.

As for when I will be ready to srtat getting out and about, it depends what happens with my mum I guess.

My OH rides, but can only ride at the weekend because of work, and he is a novice.

Beau will never be for sale, I just dont want him to be missing out.
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Beau won't care whether he is ridden or not. He'll be quite happy munching away in his field with his buddies.

I don't think you need to worry about him and I think that tasking yourself with finding someone suitable and then worrying about how they get on with him and how they ride etc is just going to add to everything on your plate.

If someone comes along that you know and trust then great, if not then let him have some time off, it won't do him any harm.

And, don't forget if you need a hand with anything at all please please give me a shout.
 
Well I ride about 5other people's horses, but al of them I have known for a long time and they have approached me out on the hunting field or such- so they know what I am capeable of. Alot of riders my age find it nice to have more than one ride- I find it easy to ride 4 or five horses in a day and it gives me something to do- often I ride down to another yard on Oshk or Wills, put them in a spare stable and ride the others, you're probably best going to a local event and approaching someone there, or advertising?
 
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Beau won't care whether he is ridden or not. He'll be quite happy munching away in his field with his buddies.

I don't think you need to worry about him and I think that tasking yourself with finding someone suitable and then worrying about how they get on with him and how they ride etc is just going to add to everything on your plate.

If someone comes along that you know and trust then great, if not then let him have some time off, it won't do him any harm.

And, don't forget if you need a hand with anything at all please please give me a shout.

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Thanks Laura, that means a lot! I actually enjoy the day to day stuff as it takes my mind off things.

I think you are right, I dont think he will mind, just sometimes feel like Im making him miss out when people are going on sponsored rides or half day hacks.

Def agree with it putting more on my plate finding someone suitable for him...i was tempted to put an ad up but I know I will be inundated with schoolgirls wanting horses to ride over the summer hols!
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My advice - don't do it

When my father was ill in hospital the girl who helps with us totally took the p*ss and gave us even more stress

Unless you want an annoying distraction I really wouldn't advise it

Without being harsh - a sharer will generally be cr*p rider or want paying to ride. Anyone who is a decent rider will generally have their own horse as you scrimp and save to keep them. Might be harsh, but have the same opinion of loaning horses - I will only ever do it for people I know and 100% trust. Otherwise people wanting a free horse and treat it like trash as they can give it back!

Beau is happy in the field and time off won't hurt - someone trashing your horse, will!
 
to be honest I wouldn't bother looking for a sharer for him unless you know someone as it is just another thing for you to do and with everything going on at the moment you really don't need anything else to worry about. Beau will be fine and I'm sure the last thing he is worrying about is being ridden every day
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he may enjoy the time off totally or just get OH to ride him at the weekends either way I'm sure he won't mind at all. As long as he is well cared for (ok spoilt rotten
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) then there is no problem IMO. Please don't worry about it as you have enough on your plate at the moment
 
Thank you Sue. PMSL at spoiled rotten, you know me too well!
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I agree, he is happy, and I guess horses dont care what they are doing as long as they are loved and have plenty of food LOL.

I suppose what makes it a bit easier is that Im not really missing summer, as we arent having one!
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You don't spoil them do you?
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was purely a guess
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Why make your life more complicated by getting a sharer or someone to ride him and then stressing about what they are doing? might as well just let him have a holiday sure as hell won't do him any harm, whereas a bad rider can!
Hells bells if this is summer what is the winter going to be like?
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Beau is happy in the field and time off won't hurt - someone trashing your horse, will!

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This is what Im afraid of, thank you guys you have made me feel better.

Looking at it logically finding a 'stranger' to ride him, seeing if they are suitable and if they will look after him etc, well it will just add even more onto my plate.

I advertised for a rider for my old mare, luckily I found the most lovely lady who I trust completely, unfortunately she has her own horse now.
Before finding her I had people ringing who hadnt even sat on a horse, but who didnt want to pay for riding lessons!
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Although Beau is good, he is 17.3hh and only young, easily ruined I think.
If I knew someone who could do him justice, ie they wanted to do some dressage etc, then it would be great, but I think the risks are too great as you say.
 
First of all {Hug} not the nicest situation.

I agree Beau won't be bothered about not being ridden but I understand where your coming from - It is a shame to see a lovely horse sitting in a field not out and about galloping around a cross country course and hacking in the *rare* summer sun shine.

Word of mouth would be a much better way but don't espect the perfect rider to jump out and beg you. Have you any friends or know anyone that might like a extra ride? Why don't you to encourage a rider to have lessons on him, so you don't have to worry about him being spolit, he furthers his education to for when your ready to ride yourself.

Just remember know one is going to be perfect for him because there not you and you won't 100% agree with every thing they do - that doesn't mean its wrong - Its just different.
 
eek I dread to think what winter is going to be like!

Our hay is now cut baled and wrapped though so thats one less thing to worry about, you cant get hay for love nor money here.
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don't I'm worried enough how to feed Pidge and Sunny with the lack of hay and haylage
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everything has already gone up in price and people are stockpiling already which is great if you've got the space if not
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Thanks FMN. Unfortunately the people I know are either busy with their own horses, or think he is too much horse for them.

He has had a lot of dressage training and a huge jump, very brave too, but again its the trust thing. As much as I would love to see him out there doing things, I have to weigh up the pro's and cons I guess.
And the worry!
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We didnt have a good yield, only 45 big bales of haylege, JUST enough to get us through winter.

If you are really struggling, or closer to winter if you are not sorted, let me know as I may be able to find someone with big bales of hay. Providing they will let them go.
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I too would love to find a sharer for my boy especially over the winter as I have had a serious illness and he was my getting better motivational present but somedays it is all a bit too much. The problem is that there are very few knowledgeable sharers out there and I think you certainly don't need any extra stress! Not sure whether this would be financially viable but have you considered trying to get a schooling livery deal with a reputable teacher - ie some have livery yards and ride say three times a week for you and then you do the rest and it is all included in the (albit more expensive) livery bill? At least then you know your horse is being worked and schooling improved by a professional rather than any old joe blogs? Just an idea. Really hope your Mum gets better and everything gets a little easier for you. Take care. L
 
that's not good! Should be ok in a crisis as Aunty lives on a farm and has done hay this year - or will do when she gets it cut! Will bear that offer in mind if we do get stuck thanks
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If not will just have to feed alternatives to hay, me thinks we are in for an expensive winter!
 
Agree with all the replies about it adding to the worry you are going through, horses are happiest doing what they do best which is eating !Its often far nicer to spend a day watching them and enjoying them rather than stressing and worrying about riding or training.
But dont agree with some comments on sharers/riders etc. The horse in my sig was gievn to me as a ride/competition horse, then was fully given to me. I would never have a horse if it wasnt for the generosity of some others. All my previous horses/ rides have been given to me by people or either didnt have the time or inclination to do it themselves and I was and still am so grateful for the opportunities that I have had.
I never asked for anything to ride mind, or put myself about so perhaps someone will just crop up for you..
 
I would put them on a share with someone. If you where to put them on loan, it wouldn't be fair to then take away the horse when your energy it back, unless you gave them notice =]
 
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I would put them on a share with someone. If you where to put them on loan, it wouldn't be fair to then take away the horse when your energy it back, unless you gave them notice =]

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I have no intention of putting him up for loan, ever.
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that's not good! Should be ok in a crisis as Aunty lives on a farm and has done hay this year - or will do when she gets it cut! Will bear that offer in mind if we do get stuck thanks
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If not will just have to feed alternatives to hay, me thinks we are in for an expensive winter!

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I think you are right!
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But dont agree with some comments on sharers/riders etc. The horse in my sig was gievn to me as a ride/competition horse, then was fully given to me. I would never have a horse if it wasnt for the generosity of some others. All my previous horses/ rides have been given to me by people or either didnt have the time or inclination to do it themselves and I was and still am so grateful for the opportunities that I have had.
I never asked for anything to ride mind, or put myself about so perhaps someone will just crop up for you..

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I totally agree, both mine started off as loan horses, there are good loaners and loanee's out there.
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