Exercising horses for other people

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chaps89

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Hi.

First time poster here, hope it's ok to jump in with a question
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Would you ever look for some-one to just ride your horse for you (in a non-professional capacity)? And would you actively look for this person (if so where- tack shops/local yards or online?) or want to know them first?

I have my own horse but due to arthritis he's only in light work and I miss doing more serious schooling/jumping but have neither time or money to take on another ned full time.
I've done college & nvq as well as pracitcal yard experience/grooms positions previously but now I'd also like to do my BHS stages in the autumn/next spring but am definitely out of practice, so I'm looking for something else to ride just a few evenings a week.
I know it's a long shot as I work office hours so can't imagine anyone willing to do the jobs for some-one else to ride (especially in evenings/at weekends when, if they work, they'd be most likely to ride themselves), but just wondering really if there's been times when you/a friend have looked for some-one to ride your neds for you and where you've looked?!

Or am I barking up the wrong tree and should I go back to riding schools (which there is only 1 decent one in my area and it's quite costly, especially as I already have to hire a school and pay extra to have my own private instructor to come and give lessons on my own horse)

I hope those wafflings made sense
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!

I really hope this doesn't come across as advertising
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I'm just looking for advice/peoples experiences of letting others ride for them.

Thanks
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There are plenty of people who need their horses exercised more than they have time for, and usually just ask for chores to be done in return, poo picking, mucking out, tack cleaning that kind of thing.
 
I'm on the Leicestershire/Warwickshire border, feel free to pm if you want.
As I'm no longer on a livery yard I don't have any first hand contacts to ask about through, and those I used to ride for have either moved away or sold the horse on, so would local tack shops be the best way forward do you think?
 
I think it takes a while to find the right person to exercise for - don't just accept whoever offers you a horse as sometimes they're nuts! I'm riding for someone at the moment who has broken herself so its worth more to her to have someone ride/school her horse for free than it is to pay someone to do it. This way her horse is kept going so when she is able she can get straight back on and doesn't have to work on bringing fitness/level headedness back to it. There are pro's and cons to every situation thought - but if you do agree something with an owner - be clear about it - and remember - it's their horse and at the end of the day they can do what they want with it

hope you find someone nice
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I ride for other people. I tend to school less than straightforward horses or naughty ones which is what I like as I love working with a horse and seeing them come good.

The people I currently ride for don't ask for anything in return, no chores, no money, they just want ot see their horses happy. They also have a friend who wants their horse schooled and have asked me to work him and want to pay me.
 
Peacelily- you're absolutely right- I've had my fair share of nutcases offered to me before- sometimes it wisest to say no. Also had to learn the hard way about getting too attached to some-one elses horse, so hopefully I'll keep my head screwed on the right way this time!
Sounds like you've got a nice arrangement going with the owner of the horse you ride tho
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LittleMissTate- it looks like over time people have got to know of you, but initially how did you find some-one to ride for? I take it you manage to not get too attached to your proteges either?

I feel at least a little hopeful there may be an option of riding for other people out there now, so thank-you
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Chaps89 - Yeah 'tis a good arrangement and I'm so grateful as have also had some complete psyco's! I found her by word of mouth after someone saw me ride and my being quite chatty it soon came out that I was looking for a horse to ride and she put me in contact...its always worth chatting to as many people as you know or don't know as you never know what might happen - and I think word of mouth is better - as LittleMissTate has probably found if she's riding for a few people
 
I only started riding again last year after a 3 and a half year break after selling my own, but before that I was quite well known locally for bringing on ponies and problem ponies as a teenager.

My mums friend sent me in the direction of a friend of hers who needed help with her eventers as she had suddenly been left with a yard full of horses by herself so I helped her for a while, that lady had friends who had a pony that needed schooling so I helped them out for a bit. I then started working part time for a friend of theres who had a sj yard in my village and rode for them a bit too.

Someone I knew from years back got in touch with me to say they had heard I was riding again and asked if I would reback their 17 year old who hadn't been ridden for 4 years as they had been having problems when they tried so I gave them a hand. It was then discovered he had a problem with his feet so he was retired and I started riding anotherone for them. They then went a bit strange on me but that's another story entirely!!

While they were messing me around I decided I had had enough, so randomly google searched horses for loan and found a horse advertised locally that needed a rider. I got in touch, went to see her later that week and been working her ever since. She has got her issues and is very special but there is nothing more rewarding than seeing her come good. They also have the haffie I have been doing some work with.

Basically word of mouth helps massively. As does experience. The fact I have worked at hunt kennels, eventers and sj yard has done me no end of favours but people do like personal recomendation.

I did get very lucky with my current projects because as I say, it was only because the other owners were getting funny that I randomly searched online and stumbled across them!!
 
I would love to find someone like you to ride my horse! Due to a lack of babysitters, I usually only ride my horse once a week and hence he is never very fit. I have tried to find sharers/riders in the past but have only found complete novices who cannot even tack up properly. I don't expect anyone to look after him , but they would have to get him in & groom him. Although it would be nice to have a contribution to his keep, I don't need it so would not expect anyone to pay to ride him, but no capable riders are interested. Shame we are not closer.
 
I've spent the last 4 years riding other peoples horses, I don't actually know why I went out and bought another horse to be honest.
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I could of just got one of loan but its not the same is it and wouldnt be without my own horse.

I think there are plenty of people out there who would love a trust worthy, experianced rider to help exercise and compete their horses, even if its just for a short term.

Word spreads but also bobbing a sign at your local tack shop may help.
 
I am meeting up with a lady at the weekend who advertised on a local online directory for a rider for her two horses as they need exercising during the week. If it comes off the situation will suit me really well because my horse is on box rest (and is unbacked anyway!) and I'm going barmy without anything to ride, and it suits her because she doesn't have to pay anyone to exercise her horses- I guess the short answer is YES it is possible
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I have I have 4 horses to ride, 1 of which is my own, the other 3 I ride for other people, infact I find that I usually have other horses on the go as well as mine. Word gets out fast, do you have any horsey friends that you can go and visit to spread the word on their yard?
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Tate- Sounds like you had a lucky break- and that word of mouth does the job
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Marmalade- if you ever feel like re-locating... Hope you find some-one who can help you out soon tho

Kenzo- there's definitely nothing quite like having your own horse tho is there?

ali_m a& damnation- think you both prove there are people out there just wanting their horse riding.
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Because I'm no longer on a livery yard or in touch with people I used to ride for (long story short- we moved off the last livery yard due to nasty atmosphere, 6 months later YO ran off with one of the liveries husbands and the yard was shut down) I think I'm going to have to stick with ads in local tack shops and put word out through my instructor & farrier etc. I'll let you know if anything exciting happens!
 
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