First hello and Sharer information

[ReggiePerrin]

Hello! I've been a lurker for a while now and have really enjoyed reading everybody's stories and advice. But now I need some advice as I've been tying myself up in knots all day!

Like most or all on here I've been in love with horses since before I can remember. I started riding once a week when I was 7 and when I was 15 was lucky enough to have use of a friends outgrown pony for a couple of years although it was still kept at her yard. Uni and lack of funds got in the way but after nearly a 15 year break I took up riding again last June. I went on a fantastic riding holiday in France and have been riding practically every weekend since at a local riding centre. But no suprise, now I want more!! I've never had sole charge of a horse and feel that while I'm a competent rider I have huge amounts to learn on being responsible for a horse of my own (I'm aiming for 2011!) The plan had been to do my stage 1 and 2 exams next year at the centre I ride at to give me more experience and confidence and keep half an eye out for a sharer at the same time.

Yesterday I found one and sent off an email enquiring and heard back. It's just for 2 days and the money isn't too much of a stretch.

I work in London during the day so although I can ride morning or evening in the summer I'm worried that I'm never going to get to ride during the winter. I'm also worried that I don't know enough about horse management to take it on?!

So crisis of confidence!!

Anybody got any advice?

 

[silverbreeze]

I would be straight with the sharer. The horse may be on a yard that has loads of people willing to lend you a hand!

You could spend time with the owner on your none shared days and then be more confident on your own days too.

It's great that you are concerned about this as so many get themselves a horse and have no idea about stable management; that is when things go wrong.

Do the 2 days fall in the week? Usually a share consists of at least one weekend day too so you would benefit from horsey time in the winter also.

 

[devilinajar]

You could ask you riding school if they need any help on a weekend to get you going!! I did this and learnt so much about horse managment!

 

[Divasmum]

Be straight with the owner and say your stable management is rusty. I am sure this can be overcome. You must be very excited about the prospect of a horse to share. Let us know how you get on.

 

[ReggiePerrin]

Divasmum, yes I am excited, excited beyond! That's half the problem, it stops you being logical Part of me thinks I'm better off waiting until I'm feeling more confident and part of me just thinks I should just get on with it - being honest with the owner of course.

I had thought about offering my services to the riding school but it's a 35 min bike ride away, they have plenty of staff already and to be honest, while I really want to do this I don't want to be giving up my whole weekend. That's why I like the idea of doing the stage exams as the training is on a Friday night so doesn't take up all my time. I know I'll have to wave goodbye to all other activities and interests once I've got a horse but want to hang on to some of them for a while yet!

 

[UKa]

Hi, I honestly wouldn't worry too much. The fact that you are having all these doubts and put a lot of thought into it seems to say to me that you know more than you think already and you are already learning by doing the exams which is more than many people have as background when they go to share - and I am sure you can talk through stuff with the owner and let them shadow you for the first few times you are there. You will learn an awful lot through practice! And I wouldn't expect my sharer to know all ins and outs of horse care, as long as they then agree to be in touch with any quesitons or problems and as an owner I would expect to be there for major problems. As a sharer you can learn without having to manage a horse by yourself!
Regarding the riding, maybe you can arrange for one of the days to be at the weekend and ask if there is a floodlit school then you can ride any time at night or in the morning even in the winter. Not sure whether you mentioned what the facilities were at the place you enquired about.

I hope it doesn't stop you from getting into a share arrangement I think you have nothing to worry about!

 

[ljpinkhorse]

I would say get a share on a livery yard , but be honest when trying out the horse about both your riding and stable management abilitys .

A couple of years ago i got my first pony on part loan and although we where ' thrown in at the deep end ' stable management wise ( pony kept on DIY and at our riding sc hool the ponies where even tacked up ect for us ) there where plenty of other liverys willing to help and we soon picked up what to do !

So i would say - go for it