Do these people exist?!

C

chestnut cob

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I'm starting to think about looking for a sharer or full loaner for my horse - are there experienced riders out there who mainly want to hack? I'd like to know if I'm being realistic!

I have a 17hh IDxTB gelding who turned 16yo this spring and is starting to need a quieter life. He's done a fair bit of work over the years, mostly hunting (and mostly before I got him), and because he's a big horse his joints have suffered a bit from it all. He is a lovely boy, well mannered and well schooled but he can be sharp. I've done everything with him and although he's a bit arthritic, he is still enjoying his work and happy. I would be looking for an experienced rider who mainly wants to hack (he'd hack all day and in fact this year is the first year I've known him to really enjoy his hacking so I think that is his way of telling me this is what he wants to do now) and do a bit of light schooling occasionally. I don't want him to be jumped after this summer because he has ringbone in front - he's sound for hacking and flat schooling but I don't want to put unnecessary pressure on his front legs by someone jumping him. I should also point out that when I say he can be sharp, he can just be a bit spooky and "looky", not naughty and is actually v easy to hack - I go everywhere on the buckle end. He'll canter in front or behind in company if the loaner was to go on fields etc with friends and is snaffle mouthed at all times (bar hunting, which they wouldn't be doing anyway).

There must be experienced riders out there who don't all want to jump, hunt and compete? It wouldn't need to be someone with vast experience, just someone who would be confident on a big ex-hunter and who has common sense. I've started putting the word out locally and am hoping I'll find someone that way but I'm wondering about a little advert in tack shops etc too.

Thanks :)

ETA - I feel I need to justify myself a bit in case I am jumped on... I am not trying to loan out a knackered horse or something that needs to be retired. He is happy, enjoys his work and hates to be in a field not doing anything. He is just getting to a stage where he needs a quieter life :)
 
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There are plenty of experineced people out there who dont want to jump and compete! Me for one!! I currently have a horse on loan that I hack 3 times a week and occasionally school. Never jump because I lost my confidence several years ago and although I would like to compete it isnt something Im despertate to do. I would say Im quite experinced and am confident on big spooky horses (like the one I currently ride!! - she can be abit of a nutter!) So yes they are out there. Put an advert up and see what you get. Good Luck :D
 
I am sure there is!

There have got to be people in the same position as your horse that have competed, jumped and are very decent riders etc but that now may be a bit stiff or arthritic (dont mean that to sound rude, you know what I mean) that just want a quieter life aswell, you may just want to ask around or advertise for an experience mature rider. I am sure there are people that would love to have a good hack on a well schooled, well mannered horse! xxx
 
I am exactly that kind of rider - just got my own horse but only to do the activities you describe.

I think your horse sounds lovely. I would put a qualifier of Sharp - as you have done - looky and spooky - in your ad, as the moment I hear the word I think that I wouldn't be able to cope! And my own horse sounds far worse and I manage fine.

Good luck.
 
Just a thought re. my earlier post... is it worth popping an ad up in local tack shops and the like? I'm really hoping he will go through word of mouth, especially as I'm not looking for something immediately, more a case of if the right person comes along... I want him to stay local (ideally at present yard) so I'm thinking tack shops would be better than eg Horsemart.

Thanks :)
 
Yes of course! I share, and I just hack. I work in a really pressurised environment, so it's great to just get on and go at the weekends (and after work in the summer) at my own pace.

On winter nights i school (myself) but thats only because the darkness doesn't allow me to hack out.

Maybe things will change in the future - but quite simply I don't have the time to fit in proper schooling/eventing. I am sure there are plenty of others like me - I know there are at my yard.
 
City Mare said:
Yes of course! I share, and I just hack. I work in a really pressurised environment, so it's great to just get on and go at the weekends (and after work in the summer) at my own pace.

On winter nights i school (myself) but thats only because the darkness doesn't allow me to hack out.

Maybe things will change in the future - but quite simply I don't have the time to fit in proper schooling/eventing. I am sure there are plenty of others like me - I know there are at my yard.
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Maybe he needs to come to your yard, you all sound perfect!! ;)
 
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