Am I being too optimistic? (slightly long sorry)

K

kins

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I've been considering looking around to see if anyone in my area wants (free) help with mucking out/grooming/feeding/exercising if needed etc, especially as the Winter's coming in now, but i'm not sure if I would get much interest. I've been riding since I was 4 so have a fair amount of experience in that area, but sadly not as much in the practical stable management side of things, which I would really like to improve on (with a view to taking my BHS exams).

Helping out at my riding school isn't an option unfortunately as it's so far away (50 minute drive), and it's hard enough getting a lift there for my lesson let alone asking to be dropped off and picked up several hours later.
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So in summary would you be willing to have someone helping out who had only a little experience in the stable management area and might need teaching (but tends to pick things up quickly), or do you think i'm wandering up the wrong path?

Thanks
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In my opinion so long as you're honest I think you'll be fine. I've helped out with quite a few other people's horses and to be fair so long as you can ride that's the main thing. Mucking out and sticking a bucket of feed in and haynet is easy! If you are riding someone elses horse they should make all decisions about feeding, which rugs, routine etc. As long as you're happing handling the horse I wouldn't expect owners to suddenly expect you to bandage, make decisions about injuries etc. etc. I'm sure you'll be fine.
 
Thanks guys that makes me feel a lot better
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I'll stick up a few adverts around my area, worst that can happen is no one responds
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Personally I'd far rather have someone helping who was willing to learn than someone who thinks they know it all - good luck with finding a nice horse.
 
I'd definitely stick an ad up!! As long as you're willing to learn, I think people would want you to help, especially at this time of year.

I did a few BHS Horse Owners certificates before I started sharing horses, they cover everything you need to know- from tack to field management, illness and injury to feeding, fittening routines to how to muck out! I've still got all my notes so they are a good point of reference.

I started sharing horses a year ago and picked everything up as I went along, you need to be willing to learn and take any criticism on the chin. With my first share horse, I was up on the days that her owner wasn't, but I had a lot of help from another fantastic livery on the yard- she and I did most things together! She taught me quicker ways to muck out, how to bandage, lunge etc which was invaluable... she even gave me lessons on her horse as my share horse was an arse to catch and some days refused to come in from the field!!

As long as you've got the support on the yard, be it from liveries or owners... you should be fine and will pick things up super quickly
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Definately! As long as the person was keen, I would have no problem with "training" them. I even have a fab safe schoolmaster competition horse for you to learn on! Pity I'm in Scotland though (and can't find anyone like you at all, no-one can be bothered up here - I've had two sharers give up on sharing fab schoolmaster horse on full livery after 6 weeks and 8 weeks respectively - and I didn't even charge them a penny!).
 
Pity you don't live near me - I'd be happy to train you in my ways of mucking out and poo-picking.
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I'm wanting a sharer at the minute for my cob but don't think I'll find one as I don't want paying but I do want to be able to swap the days to suit me on a weekly basis.
 
One bit of advice. Very few people muck out in the same way. It's always best to ask how they do their beds & what they expect you to do.

Make sure you keep to their way (even if it seems a little old) as there is nothing worse than someone doing your bed wrong.

I'm sure you'll get some interest.
 
Hm, am thinking I should relocate! Doubt I could persuade my parents though sadly :P

DollyDolls: good point, i'll definately take that on board, thanks.

Thanks for all the advice and support everyone
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