Concidering a sharer- advice?

[littlen]

Well after my last post I am seriously concidering a sharer.

I have a million and one questions though

Firstly, where on earth do I look for one?
How do I know he/she is the right one?
Do I trial them or do I let them get on with it?
How does insurance work?


Also, last year I had a lovely lady come and ride him once, she asked to share him but I declined as at the time I did not feel I wanted a sharer and she was also slightly novicey at the time. She seemed genuine and I hear her last share ended some months ago, would it be rude to send her a polite email saying ive changed my mind...even though its been a year?!

Horse is not an easy ride at all, and can be a bit of a nightmare at times. Would I be likley to find someone suitable! Also my school is rubbish in winter, so any riding would be hacking only realistically!

 

[maletto]

Look on the usual horsey websites. I had quite a lot of response on rightequine when i advertised and also NFED (depending on where you are)

You invite them to come and meet you and your horse and then assess whether you like them, like their riding style and if they get on with your horse.

I would definitely recommend a trial - I usually use 30 days and say that either party can stop the share at any time during the 30 days without a reason. Put this in your contract

Check with your insurers cos they might already be covered for 3rd party. If not, I don't think it costs much to add them onto your policy.

I don't think she would mind if you emailed her at all. situations change and she might be very pleased to hear from you.

 

[lexiedhb]

Newrider. com

Yes email the "old" person

Do whatever you feel comfortable with- trail, being there in the beginning etc etc then let em get on with it!

 

[Wizzkid]

Hiya

I would ask around and put an ad up in a few tack shops, that way you'll find people already living in the right sort of area.

I would be very specific in the ad about exactly what you want from your sharer. How many days they would have, how much money you are looking for and what yard duties are included (if any). I'd also be blunt about your horse's behaviour and what sort of riders he would best suit.

I would call the lady who asked to share him before as it would be easier to share with someone you already know/trust.

Good Luck

 

[Kat]

I've been a sharer but haven't shared my own horse out.

I think it is important to decide what you want and what your priorities are before you go any further. So is it mainly riding, or practical help or money that you need. What can you compromise on?

So I did shares where it was about mutual benefit, the owner got a break while I got some horsey time, no money exchanged hands. That is fine if the priority is having help or keeping your horse fit but rubbish if you are sharing because you are skint!

Personally I think whether money changes hands or not affects how formal the arrangement has to be and the nature of the relationship. For example if I was paying I'd want and agreement that I could ride a certain amount of times, I'd want to be given notice if there was to be a change, I'd want a fair amount of freedom of choice and I'd want to know what would happen if the horse needed time off. If no money is changing hands then I'm generally happy to do what I can when I can and change as and when.

Do make sure that you arrange what will happen as regards insurance, suggest your sharer joins the BHS as this includes good public liability and personal accident insurance. I took this out with my second share, and looking back it horrifies me that i was hacking alone on the roads on a very valuable TB mare without my own insurance on my first share!

In terms of finding someone, adverts in places where horsey people without their own horse might go and word of mouth are probably best. I'd chat to them about their experience and expectations on the phone and if you like them invite them to meet you and the horse and maybe have a ride and take it from there. I think it is fine to supervise the first few times they do your horse unless you are on the sort of yard where there is supervision and support (my second share was at livery on a riding school so no real worries about supervision there but on DIY it is important).

Throughout make sure you communicate, that is the most important thing, don't let and gripes or worries fester. Be clear about what you expect and what you want.