Does anybody have someone ride their horse just as and when they can?

[HollyWoozle]

I would love to ride from time to time and have nothing suitable here. I work a 40+ hour week and can't commit to a full share, no space in the field for a loan, local riding schools don't answer or are fully booked and I am just wondering if anyone has a successful casual share type arrangement (either as the owner or the rider)? For example someone who hacks a horse once a week or as and when they can?

I did post in a local FB group and was offered a few more committed shares (several times a week) or the ride on two ex-racers who hadn't been ridden in months, which I politely declined. Am more than happy to pay for it and am absolutely not fussed about horses' shape, size or age, I would just love to ride out from time to time on something unlikely to kill me, even on an older horse just at a walk. I wouldn't be much use in the school but am no speed demon, am responsible, always wear high vis, can give references, BHS gold member, recent equine first aid course, have own horses and do still ride sporadically as I test/escort riding holidays a few times a year.

I guess it is unlikely that I would find something suitable but if anybody has an arrangement such as this then please let me know to give me hope. We have five here and they are all retired or too small for me but we want to keep them to the end of their days.

 

[TheMule]

I would love to ride from time to time and have nothing suitable here. I work a 40+ hour week and can't commit to a full share, no space in the field for a loan, local riding schools don't answer or are fully booked and I am just wondering if anyone has a successful casual share type arrangement (either as the owner or the rider)? For example someone who hacks a horse once a week or as and when they can?

I did post in a local FB group and was offered a few more committed shares (several times a week) or the ride on two ex-racers who hadn't been ridden in months, which I politely declined. Am more than happy to pay for it and am absolutely not fussed about horses shape, size or age, I would just love to ride out from time to time on something unlikely to kill me, even on an older horse just at a walk. I wouldn't be much use in the school but am no speed demon, am responsible, always wear high vis, can give references, BHS gold member, recent equine first aid course, have own horses and do still ride sporadically as I test/escort riding holidays a few times a year.

I guess it is unlikely that I would find something suitable but if anybody has an arrangement such as this then please let me know to give me hope. We have five here and they are all retired or too small for me but we want to keep them to the end of their days.

Yes- I have a lovely woman who comes and hacks out the old boy with me on the young horses. She doesn’t pay, it isnt a formal share, but she helps me out sometimes with various things (keeps an eye if I'm away, helps with vet visits etc) and it works well for both of us. I found her through Preloved, she had an advert saying she was looking for occasional riding and was willing to help in return.

 

[Red-1]

Rigs has a few people who drop by. He's had 4 riders in addition to me so far this year. Sadly, he is really a stroll around the village only type ride (TBF, he would do more if I got him fit but he is mainly a companion so I let him be) and not many people want to come out and get dressed up for 40 minutes at walk. It also coincides with when I am riding, no one has had him out alone. Because of that, and that we are generally unsociable (LOL) it is infrequent.

I would be more likely to be enthusiastic if someone delighted in strolling round the village (so I felt like someone was gaining) and would also like to occasionally come out in the box when I take big lad out. Just to chat and take photos.

Stuff I am doing is a bit low key for most.

 

[ester]

Mum doesn’t have Facebook etc but has managed to get a few as and when opportunities just by mentioning it to some people, like the tackshop lady.

most as and when’s I know have been people with a prior relationship re friends/share etc that has stopped and they’ve gone back to I think it’s probably trickier to have if it’s totally a new thing.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I advertised on preloved years ago for a rider to ride with me on one of my horses, I found a lovely girl and she still rides now and our arrangement is pretty flexible and it's a when we have time kind of thing, she has just had a baby and has 2 small children so she hasn't ridden since before the baby but will start again once she stops breastfeeding.

We have never had set days I don't charge her any money to ride it helps me out so I'm happy and she gets to ride a nice horse it works for us.

 

[Barton Bounty]

If you were close to me you could have a choice of two

 

[HashRouge]

I was doing that with my "share" horse. It wasn't really a proper share - I could ride him as much or as little as I wanted, whenever I wanted. I just had to let the owner know the day before.

 

[Winters100]

Yes, since I had covid about 4 months ago I have been struggling with energy. I have a lovely couple who both ride well and they come 2 to 3 times a week to ride. Horses are on part livery (everything done except for adding vitamins to food and exercise), so there are no 'jobs', just checking that all is in order and letting me know if something is amiss, and neither do I ask for money, but it helps me a lot to have help to keep them fit, especially my good doer.

 

[chaps89]

I have 2 that I ride regularly and 1 I ride as and when. Occasionally I manage to ride him 2 weeks in a row, then it might be 4 weeks before I manage to ride him again.
His owner is just happy for any extra, so it works. I already knew his owner though and she’s a lovely lady so it works for us.

 

[HollyWoozle]

This is all very encouraging, thanks for the replies!

 

[tda]

Yes I have one here that needs riding more than I can manage atm.
I pay a friend to ride her twice a week now.
A friend of a friend comes to ride usually during the school hols, but pony can do so much more
I would love some more riders

 

[planete]

I had a fellow livery hack my semi retired Arab occasionally when I started working my young horse. They both enjoyed it, there were no chores and no money involved. Keep looking and mentioning it to people locally, I am sure you will find something.

 

[timefort]

Yep, I have a friend come and ride as and when they want/ I ask. It works very well for us. If I can't go up (horse on livery), they'll pop up and ride/exercise for me and if they want a ride they let me know. Horse is an older, confidence-giving girl and I wouldn't want a full time sharer but this way helps me and friend out in different ways.

 

[Goldie's mum]

I used to ride a steady Eddy for a lady who started 4 year olds & needed accompanying on their first hacks. Very casual & whenever we both were free. We found each other by word of mouth (chatting to someone at work). Keep telling everyone.

 

[spacefaer]

I've got a couple of people who both have jobs and commitments, and tbh, no intention of owning their own horse but they come as and when, one more often than the other. Suits me as I get bored hacking by myself, and taking two means we can go further. One of my riders also came on fun rides, hound exercise and autumn hunting last season. I don't pay either of them, but I pay for the fun rides etc as she's doing me a favour

 

[Sir barnaby]

Yes I have a friend who rides 2/3 a week depending on her work schedule. It helps me keep Barney fit and I don’t need to ride so much as my knees are knackered, and she gets free riding, now though she is looking to buy her own horse so I will lose a excellent rider?

 

[teapot]

I've been wondering this too so thanks for posting

 

[Winters100]

This is all very encouraging, thanks for the replies!

I am quite sure that you will find someone. I see many people here commenting that they have problems finding enough time to keep their horses fit, so it will probably be very helpful for someone.

 

[GoldenWillow]

I've had that type of arrangement when my mare was retired, I was very lucky and able to ride as and when I was able to.

An arrangement like that would also suit me as J can always do with a bit more exercise.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

I’ve had a couple of sharers who didn’t have regular slots. We just worked it out on a week by week basis. Mine have always ridden out with me on one of my two horses.

 

[HorseMaid]

My horse has got a "Tuesday" rider who my friend found when she was selling her tent (the lady bought the tent), she's been fabulous and has enjoyed having a nice horse to ride. I think she'd be available for extras if she had the time too and it's taken a bit of pressure off. I've also recently acquired a summer rider in the form of a Hartpury student who's home for the summer (procured through another friend). It's been immensely helpful to me as I've got a huge amount going on in my personal life currently and hopefully things will be a bit better by the time the student goes back. I'm not exoe ting anything from them payment wise and am really grateful for the help!

 

[J&S]

Yes I have a lady who lives in the village come to ride my companion pony twice a week, or more or less, depending on her other obligations as a very busy granny and RDA person! I pay all the ponys' expenses but she will come and help out with them if I go away or am poorly. I could not do with out her tbh, and now that I am going to have to take the roll as a full time carer for my OH she will be invaluable. I would think there are many owners who could do with a hand now and then!

 

[HollyWoozle]

This is all really promising, I will keep looking, thank you! As we keep our horses at the family home I don't really encounter many other local horse owners but maybe I'll put a post somewhere. I'll definitely keep asking around too... more than happy to hack out with the owner to give them some company too.

 

[Peglo]

A couple of years ago I was asked if I wanted to ride a lasses horse through friends of mine. She had two and liked to get them both out. both my horses were retired so it was nice to get back in the saddle. Now she’s one of my best horsey friends and has been helping me with my riding horse and has taken us to lots of stuff this summer. She likes the company and think she likes seeing the difference she’s made to me and my horse.

good luck in your search. I’m sure there’s someone about that would like a hand exercising.

 

[Fransurrey]

I have this arrangement. Lovely lady contacts me every so often to see if my boy is 'free' on a certain day or date. It gives her a break from being a mum. All she wants to do is plod around the woods and chill out and I get the day off. Win win!

 

[JBM]

would actually love to have this arrangement for my mare! She loves to get out and id love to be able to hack both of mine together

 

[Birker2020]

I'm having someone ride my horse starting tonight, five days a week is the plan. Get him back into work over the next month or two and then I will take over 'the reins' so to speak and if he goes lame or decks me he's off to live the rest of his day at a lovely retirement home I'm hoping to send him to.

I think if I was having a youngster having seen other liveries do similar, I'd employ someone to ride for me once a week. I think I'd also have a lesson once a week too.