Do paying sharers think more about the commitment?

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maggie123

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I've now had two people come and start sharing my mare, only to cancel after a couple of weeks saying they haven't got the time. Why would you answer an add asking for someone with time to spend to ride and care etc only to then turn around and say you're too busy? They both seemed nice people and I'm sure they didn't mislead on purpose, but its irritating, especially as I've just bought an expensive lockable saddle rack so I can leave my tack at the yard for sharer to ride. I'm not asking for any money and she lives out so low maintenance. Do you think if I charged a little bit people would think more about saying 'yes'? Does paying for something = seeing it as more important or have I just been unlucky?
 
I have always had a better relationship with the owner and have felt the commitment more seriously when money hasn't changed hands (and esp where chores are involved), but perhaps that's just me. I guess I'd say you've been unlucky, and that it depends entirely on the person.
 
Unless your sharers have had experience of caring for horses, they may enter into sharing wearing rose coloured goggles, I came back to horses after a long time, I'd comepletely forgotten what hard work they can be, by the time I do the caring, poo picking, grooming etc, I rarely have the time or energy to ride, I don't think money= commitment, after all they could pay a RS to ride
 
I've never paid for any of my shares (and would be reluctant to do so) but if I say I'm going to take on the responsibility then I wouldn't even consider walking away without an exceedingly good reason. I would hope that I'm not alone in that. Maybe some people do take the mindset of "I've paid, therefore I better do it" but you could conversely think "Oh well, I've paid so she can do it"

Personally, I think your set up sounds great - don't want to move to London do you?
 
TBH I doubt it makes any difference. You get reliable people and unreliable ones, you just need to find the former!
 
Just to add - i'm saying perhaps ask for something because you'd filter out the "ooo it's free we'll have that one" approach, that I always feel is half-hearted that they go into thinking they can drop whenever they fancy. If you found the right person then you could probably drop the payment if you felt like they were committed.
I always paid for my share horses, but was never committed to them because of the money.
 
I started out paying for my share horse and I don't anymore - and that was 10 years ago :p still with the same lady now, but took her horse on after myself and her daughter very sadly outgrew the first one.
I've stuck with Kelly through major illness and come back every few weeks from uni to see her, not being able to ride for approx 20 months so I'd say that's commitment! :)
I think you have just been unlucky.
K x
 
Timefort - thats the thing - horse is on a fast train out of London, l live in zone 3 myself!! Thats why I want a sharer, to help out during the week / odd weekends as I have a busy career and 'other' life here in London. As shares here is surrey and the other home counties are so expensive I thought I might find someone horsey that couldn't afford to ride here in London but had some time....
 
I paid for my first share but not the second, or my current one. I'm lucky that the people aren't asking for a financial contribution, I just do the yard stuff on the days I go and ride. It doesn't make a difference to me if I pay or not, I've made a commitment to the horse and owner that I will go so I do, even though I have to drive over half an hour and recently haven't been able to ride much as it keeps blooming raining!

But then again, I only found a share when I knew I was fully able to take on the commitment with time and money, and I had just finished equine college when I got my first share so was used to getting up and working on the yard.
 
I think it does make a little difference to some people. If you've paid for something it takes on more value.

Think of it this way, if you don't feel like going out, you're more likely to go if you've bought tickets to something than if you haven't.

Having said that I do know some very reliable people who share and don't pay.
 
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