asked to pay for a trial ride

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Wiz201

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I'm having a trial ride on a Dales pony on Saturday for a potential share, and the owner is asking that I pay for the trial ride. Is this the norm? Last three shares I've tried, the owner did not ask for any money first day. The lady says its because she's had other people try the pony and they basically take him for a free ride then they decide he's not for them and leave, but she says its not fair on the horse :confused: I replied and said, that's fine, but I don't usually give up just after one session.
 
I've never paid for a trial ride either but I certainly understand where the pony's owner's coming from... People see an add for a lease and just go and try the horse, often without even the slightest intention to lease that or any other horse.
 
Taking the mick a little I'd think, how much is she talking? if it's a few £'s I'd do it rather than make a fuss but maybe ask her to refund you if it's her that decided not to go ahead with the share.
 
She may well not enforce it, she is probably just trying to weedle out the people looking for a free ride, must be hard when it's your time etc being given up. If you think it's a likely horse and it's not much money then I think I would agree to it personally. Good luck with your share hunt anyway :)
 
I wouldn't of thought it is the norm, no. Trial rides are part and parcel of looking for the right sharer or buyer. Yes it must get tiresome when you have to get through a few people before finding the right one, but getting paid is not going to guarantee people click with your horse.
And as for 'not being fair' on the horse - is he expecting a share of the funds? ;)
 
It is cheeky but I guess I can see where they're coming from, depends if there are other options available! I always found it hard to find shares locally so I suppose as long as everything else was right then maybe I'd cough up.
 
Well, its an ex RDA pony and he sounds ideal plus I know the location and the hacking. She's asking 20 pound a week so its half of what I'll pay but I'd prefer to try him for a bit longer before paying, like I said, I'm not one to give up after one session unless he does something very dangerous which I highly doubt he will. Shall I text her beforehand and ask her if she can let me try him for at least two days for a week?
 
Actually it's not a bad idea depending how much she is asking. From her point of view she will only get the serious people coming and when you consider it's £32 for half hour lesson at a riding school why not pay if you're getting a ride in a school plus a hack which is what I would expect if trying out a pony. Whilst it's not the norm I don't think it would put me off although wouldn't expect to pay more than about a tenner.
 
Hippophilia said:
I wouldn't of thought it is the norm, no. Trial rides are part and parcel of looking for the right sharer or buyer. Yes it must get tiresome when you have to get through a few people before finding the right one, but getting paid is not going to guarantee people click with your horse.
And as for 'not being fair' on the horse - is he expecting a share of the funds? ;)
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I know, that seems an odd thing to say, doesn't it? But I'm not new to strange horse owners.
 
Wiz201 said:
Well, its an ex RDA pony and he sounds ideal plus I know the location and the hacking. She's asking 20 pound a week so its half of what I'll pay but I'd prefer to try him for a bit longer before paying, like I said, I'm not one to give up after one session unless he does something very dangerous which I highly doubt he will. Shall I text her beforehand and ask her if she can let me try him for at least two days for a week?
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For the sake of £20 I would just pay but don't enter in a contract as such until you are happy, you will still be riding so you wouldn't be paying for nothing and it sounds like a good opportunity if you already know the area and a bit about him :) All shares are individual so don't think there are any rules set in stone, so just try to do what seems fair to both of you.
 
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I'd call her to talk about it rather than text, sometimes things in writing come out differently to how people intend them (as evidenced often on this forum!!)

Perhaps say it's a little unusual but how about you pay and she takes it off your first months share bill if you both decide to go ahead. Then she knows you're not a joy rider and you're not out of pocket compared to more common trial arrangements.
 
I can see where she is coming from especially if she has had a number of bad expierences. Maybe suggest that the fees be deducted from the first months costs when you take him on
 
Polos Mum said:
I'd call her to talk about it rather than text, sometimes things in writing come out differently to how people intend them (as evidenced often on this forum!!)

Perhaps say it's a little unusual but how about you pay and she takes it off your first months share bill if you both decide to go ahead. Then she knows you're not a joy rider and you're not out of pocket compared to more common trial arrangements.
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Yes, that's a good idea. Don't know why, I'm just more of a texting person than calling.
 
I would ask that if you pay it and then end up being the 'chosen' sharer that they take that off your first share payment

That seems a fair way to do it. Perhaps its a test to see how reasonable you are!
 
unless the pony is insured for hire then it will mean you and the pony are not insured, insurance classes loaning as a contribution not hire but paying to ride once is hiring the pony.

everyone i know gives a month free so the sharer is sure the pony/horse is the right one for them before they sign a contract for a longer period of time.

I would not pay to try out for potentially loaning
 
yes I'll do that, I think its the most reasonable thing to do. I've seen a picture of the pony, he is a chunky 14.3hh dales, I do have a soft spot for them as I did the majority of my learning to ride on one.
 
Spring Feather said:
Lol I think she's ballsy and I like her style! :D I've done the same when I've loaned out horses on my property. I also got fed up of people coming out for a free Sunday ride.
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Have to agree! Having been the victim of timewasters who IF they bother to turn up at all (after you've re-arranged your work/commitments etc and put others off) will then turn up uninvited at a completely different time to that which you've previously arranged, complete with chain smoking OH who stands over the stable doors flicking ash everywhere, kids by the score (theirs & other people's), disobedient dogs running around, etc etc.

So she's probably just trying to weedle out the freeloaders who've realised they're on to a good thing and are too tight to pay up and go for a ride at a riding school.

Think you should arm yourself with some questions etc which will show the loaner that you ARE genuine and have given the matter serious thought. Also be prepared to be detailed re. your previous experience/what sort of horse's you've had experience with, what you're seeking, someone who could give you a reference etc etc.

Having said this, to ask for money for a trial ride isn't the norm, but I CAN see if from her point of view, alas.
 
well it'll cost £10 for me to go for a half hour lesson if I went back to my old riding school so having the chance to pay £10 and being able to ride as long as I want whether its on a hack or in the menage will be better value for money. I hope this one goes well, last one the horse was a stubborn old mare who refused to walk out of the field despite all of my attempts. I did get her out but it took me ages so I hope this pony is easier. I think I'll ask for two fixed days this time so there is no tension or potential arguments like I had with the last owner either.
 
Jools2345 said:
unless the pony is insured for hire then it will mean you and the pony are not insured, insurance classes loaning as a contribution not hire but paying to ride once is hiring the pony.
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Maybe private horse insurance is different. I have business insurance and my horses and all the riders are insured. I charge for people riding my horses, saves any daytrippers from wasting theirs and my time.
 
Tell her she will need a local authority licence to take money for riding re horse! She's mad if she just lets strangers go off without prior knowledge of them anyway. I wouldn't want to share with her !!:confused:
 
I usually offer people a week's trial, paid @ the share price ... but tbf I do let them sit on the horse to make sure it's even a viable thought before I offer (!).
Amazing how many people want a "free" trial ... i.e. 2-3 days riding before they decide to commit money. Not on my ponies. Not surprisingly, the type of people who tend to stick around for years and years are also the ones who were happy enough to pull out £20 in the first week.
 
I went up and rode the pony as well as catching, grooming and tacking up etc all good and he was good to ride in the traffic and didn't act silly around seeing other horses etc. She did ask for £10 but I asked her to take it off the first months bill, and she obviously didn't want to do that, but she agreed to. She also wanted paying up front but I said to her I find it easier to pay for March's bill on 1st april. Would that sound reasonable to you folks?
 
Wiz201 said:
I went up and rode the pony as well as catching, grooming and tacking up etc all good and he was good to ride in the traffic and didn't act silly around seeing other horses etc. She did ask for £10 but I asked her to take it off the first months bill, and she obviously didn't want to do that, but she agreed to. She also wanted paying up front but I said to her I find it easier to pay for March's bill on 1st april. Would that sound reasonable to you folks?
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livery bills, hay bedding etc all have to be paid up front , now i did not agree with being charged for a trial ride but i would not agree to payment at the end of the month, i would want money up front
 
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