Finding horsesitters

Caol Ila

Caol Ila

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23 January 2012
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Amazingly, in 15+ years of horse ownership, I have never had this particular dilemma. When I've gone out of town for a few days or more, there have always been other liveries about who have been willing and able to exercise my horse while I'm away. However, there's no one at my current yard with the time or skills to deal with her. She's an easy, straightforward horse to handle if you're confident and give her the impression that know what you're doing, but she'll take the p*ss out of beginners and the timid. She's a solid, forgiving 18-year old (American) Second Level schoolmaster; however, I've worked hard at training her to a really light hand and these days she gets quite grumpy about heavy-handed, pully riders, understandably! And there seems to be no shortage of "dressage" riders out there who try to get a horse round by hanging on the bit. :( Basically she'll be a good girl for anyone who is confident, who can stop, steer, and not pull on her face.

I just had to give her an unplanned two week vacation when my car died and it took two weeks of faff to conclude that it wasn't going to cheaply be brought to life and then buy new wheels. She was fresh as anything when I got back to the barn and we had a couple very exciting rides.

How have you guys gone about finding someone to ride your horse for a week or two here and there? As I said in the first paragraph, I've always used other liveries, people who I knew reasonably well and who I had seen interact with their horses and thus I knew they'd be all right with mine. So I'm feeling a bit reticent to post on Gumtree or whatever and deal with all the weird random responses and potential morons.
 
I would do it if you were near me! Sadly you are not but have you tried looking on the British Grooms Association website, there is a big list of freelance grooms on there, many of whom do riding. The I guess ot's just a case of talking to the person to find out what sort of rider they are, what attitude they have, how understanding they are of correct way of going etc, then if you feel happy let them have a sit on her whilst you are there to check you follow the same riding philosophies.
 
The horse is in South Lanarkshire, near Larkhall.

I'm not really looking for a "trainer." Just someone to sit and potter about on her. ;-)
 
I would also be wary of putting up an advert, better to find someone by word of mouth if you can. I have always asked at local tack shop and our riding club where I have found recommendations of competent people.
 
I found a really lovely girl on this site, but sadly we were too far apart geographically for it to work out! Put the word out and see if you get any responses
ps Still looking for hacking companion - Yateleyish area
 
might be worth calling your vet to see if they know of anyone. An equine vet is likely to have come across a few. Not quite the same clearly, but that is how I have found cat and dog sitters in the past
 
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