Getting a sharer?

[dominobrown]

I work all the time and have 3 horse to ride. I am pondering about getting a sharer for my older horse. He is 18, has evented to Novice, Elem dressage,showing etc in the past and competitively too. I don't have time and was thinking whether it would be worth finding a sharer? He has been ridden 2/3 times week over winter, by various people over the last year and done beach/ fun/ hunt rides. He is mannerly and well schooled but still by no means a horse for beginner, and although a beginner can take him for a hack in company I would want a half decent rider.... by that I mean someone who can ride... not hang off his move and bear in mind he a 17hh competition horse with a brain. He is sensible enough, and by no means sharp for a competition horse but not a riding school horse.
Is it worth finding a sharer? I think I would require them to take out insurance. I was thinking at least 2 days a week, maybe helping with chores and is it cheeky to ask for a financial contribution? And if so what kind of figures? I have an outdoor arena and very good off and on road hacking. I would be willing to take them to the odd show/ beach ride etc if it suited logistically and if the contributed to fuel costs etc.
Do you think people would be interested? Absolutely no interest in selling him or him moving yards. Anyone else share a horse and the deal they have? Will it be more hassle than its worth?!

 

[ester]

Yes people will definitely be interested, you will just have to do good vetting
not cheeky to ask for financials (though you might also find a v good person who cant do the financials) going rate here is usually £100 for 2 days a week + DIY chores and most of us use BHS gold membership for the 3rd party insurance.

 

[Wishfilly]

Definitely people out there who would be interested- if you're near a uni town, for example, there would likely be lots of students who've had to leave horses at home interested. Or equally older professionals who don't have time for a horse full time at the moment. I think most working people would like a weekend day, but obviously it's up to you and you may find someone happy with weekdays only.

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for help with chores and a token financial contribution of £10-15 a day given he sounds like a nice horse and you've got decent facilities. If the rider is more important than price, you could always drop the contribution if you find the right person. If they aren't doing chores, then definitely a higher financial contribution.

I would ask to see videos of the person riding, if you can.

 

[dominobrown]

Thanks. It’s not something I have ever had any involvement in so had no idea of what kind of financial/ if any contribution there would be.
I am in the Lake District, it was a livery yard but isn’t now so it’s quiet. I could be flexible with days etc. I think if I could ride him once or twice a week to keep him tuned up as it where. When eventing he was regularly scoring high 20‘s and he came from Wills Oakden‘s so he is not a yak, so for someone wanting to do a prelim/ novice test he would be a nice horse to have a go on. He did some hunt rides last year with a teenager who was a good riding school rider but not had their own horse before and was fun but sensible. He is not really a project as he has been there done that and kept ticking over winter so as soon as someone gets to know him there is no reason that they couldn’t be out and about.

The vetting process for the people sounds daunting
I was thinking BHS or harryhall/ world horse welfare insurance? Will have a look and see what there is. I would expect the sharer to pay and sort their own insurance?

 

[ester]

For your purposes they need their own 3rd party liability minimum, any more is up to them.
I think you just need to be v. clear what sort of person you want and not be afraid to say no not for you/horse (though they might not ride their best first time). I think it's ok to say have a trial month first/they only hack with you for a bit etc. For the most part when a share has ended for me I've rapidly been poached by someone else , I'm a v useful sharer . Current owner has 2 horses and 2 sharers, one previous sharer was a bit more novice but the deal then was that she would have a weekly lesson while she got to grips with him and then I taught to hack (and stop . . ) . It's nice that we can take both beast out places sometimes too.

 

[Wishfilly]

Thanks. It’s not something I have ever had any involvement in so had no idea of what kind of financial/ if any contribution there would be.
I am in the Lake District, it was a livery yard but isn’t now so it’s quiet. I could be flexible with days etc. I think if I could ride him once or twice a week to keep him tuned up as it where. When eventing he was regularly scoring high 20‘s and he came from Wills Oakden‘s so he is not a yak, so for someone wanting to do a prelim/ novice test he would be a nice horse to have a go on. He did some hunt rides last year with a teenager who was a good riding school rider but not had their own horse before and was fun but sensible. He is not really a project as he has been there done that and kept ticking over winter so as soon as someone gets to know him there is no reason that they couldn’t be out and about.

The vetting process for the people sounds daunting
I was thinking BHS or harryhall/ world horse welfare insurance? Will have a look and see what there is. I would expect the sharer to pay and sort their own insurance?

I'm rural south west with cheap livery, so I imagine somewhere where livery is a bit more expensive would be more. I definitely think there are people out there who will value what he is and would be willing to pay a decent amount, but as a former sharer, I *personally* think if someone is doing chores when they ride, then a financial contribution should be some what token. Others may disagree though.

I always had BHS insurance to cover myself, and would expect to pay that myself. I often rode friend's etc alongside more formal shares/loans so definitely saw insurance as my own responsibility. I think Harry Hall/WHW are basically the same but I've never looked at them.

In terms of vetting, now that smartphones etc are ubiquitous, I think it's fine to ask for a video of someone riding- most people have got something or could get something, even if it's not super recent. You can probably tell from a video if they're completely unsuitable! And then they come and ride with you a few times, and you'll probably be able to tell if they get on with him. It's for the sharer's benefit too as not everyone gets on with every horse or every set up!

It may also be worth putting the word out with your farrier and other equine professionals as they may know someone who is looking?

He sounds lovely and if you find the right person someone will be very lucky!

 

[Andrew657]

Yes - this sounds very similar to the horse I share. Previously evented (BE80/90) and now owner has youngster that she wants to concentrate on. I have a share 3 days (with flexibility both ways) and make a financial contribution.

I do chores when I go to the yard - but as owner has two - this is normally for both horses - but don't normally have to go to yard morning and evening.

Chores vary depending on whether doing morning or evening.

I have insurance - which gives public lability and also limited emergency vet fees cover for accidents happening in my care.

Yes - think people will be interested - I know I only managed to get current share because although I didn't know owner - I had previously kept my horses on sister yard - so knew lots of people in common who could vouch for me.

 

[dominobrown]

A help with chores would be great.
Probably start with a Facebook post and take it from there...

 

[Abacus]

Your horse sounds super and you should find people interested, so take your time and vet them carefully. A financial contribution is certainly justified as he’s safe and fun, and you aren’t asking them to school him for you or take on a horse with some issues. I’ve always worked it out as a price per day based on the total cost of keeping him. Agree entirely about the points on insurance. If you can find someone through word of mouth it would be best - ask your instructor, farrier, anyone local that knows plenty of people.

I’ve shared mine a few times, and sometimes it has been brilliant, others more trouble than it’s worth. If you do find someone and they prove to be the latter, just politely end it quickly. My older horse (now 27) has been shared by the same person for 10 years and she’s now a close friend (she came through a horsemart ad), more than anything I love it that she adores him and clearly gets so much from her time with him. Personally I got back into horses after university via a share for a couple of years and it was a brilliant step back into getting my own. I’m a great believer in sharing - with the right person!

 

[NoodlesHalloween]

So I have shared a few times and currently looking to just get my own so I am not compromising a lot on things I don't always agree with. I have my own insurance and I do not mind making a token contribution if I am doing yard chores, turning out etc, feeds and collecting feed supplies and mucking out. If no chores then it seems £20 a day is the standard rate. I agree its really important to get the right person and also have time to support them settling in to your routine and making sure communication is really clear on expectations and prompt on any queries they have regarding the care of your horse. From my experience moving forwards I would also have a written agreement just so everyone is on the same page with their expectations, for instance if your horse was injured and the sharer could not ride would you still be expecting them to help with rehab and pay the daily rate?

 

[Splash2310]

Shame you’re in the Lake District, he sounds like the perfect horse to share! As others have said, be really careful in vetting people and make sure you’re happy and confident in their riding and ability to do chores etc.

I’m down south, and previously I’ve paid £100pcm for DIY (2, then moved to 3 days a week), £15 a day for 5 day livery, and now about £170pcm for pretty much unlimited riding and 5 day livery.

 

[marmalade76]

It can work really well if you find the right person - someone who's a good enough rider/handler that you trust and get on well with - this is far more important than any financial contribution IMO and whilst I'm not suggesting you should allow someone to share for nothing, I would be willing to be flexible on this but not the other.

 

[Polos Mum]

Finding someone who you get one with, broadly thinks in the same way as you and your horse gets on with (and vice versa) is not an easy or quick process.
But I've had sharers become long standing friends (and others that were a nightmare!)

Work out why you're really doing it 1) money 2) his exercise or 3) chores and make that clear to them and you. If money is key you might have to wince at the quality of riding to start with and maybe recommend lessons.
If his exercise is paramount then someone reliable is priority - If they don't turn up in wind / rain / school holidays then you think he's getting work but isn't!

I personally would charge a little (£20 a time) and get it paid by bank transfer in advance by month. In my experience pay as you go people tend to be more flaky in poor weather !
Also if it's costing nothing, again not turning up becomes quite a theme.
The £;s is more of a token contribution than %age of time.
Hats off to anyone who can find someone willing to pay 2/7ths of what they really cost !! Would be very expensive per ride !

If you find the perfect person then you can consider dropping the £'s after a few months - if money isn't the main driver.

Work out how you will assess potential people. I weeded out a lot by handing them a bridle - you'd be surprised how many had no idea how to get it on a well mannered horse in the stable.

 

[criso]

I would say financial contribution required but keep it negotiatable, between £10 and £20 per day. However that's south east prices. He sounds like a really nice horse. The option to compete, fun ride, clinic would be a huge benefit to someone so I would put him at the more expensive end. It also depends what you mean by chores, haynets, feeds, rugs or full care/muck out.

I wouldn't have a sharer who didn't pay as my observation on various yards is they are more likely to cancel. You value something more if you pay for it but you can negotiate.

Be really clear about what they can and can't do e.g. If they can jump, up to what height given he is older.

Facebook is good to advertise but be prepared to filter your way through a lot of unsuitable people. Even if you say over 18 only you will get 14 year olds asking how high can he jump or fast be can gallop nd bear in mind riding schools give people an unrealistic idea of their level. The advanced group may be able to canter and starting to jump. If you have an instructor, they might know of someone who is horseless. Cutting and pasting from previous replies makes it less effort than typing out replies to similar questions.

It sounds like a sharer would be a nice addition not essential so you can afford to wait till the right person comes along.