Going for a trial- How far should I push it?

[jkenny]

After pushing my RC lessons as far as I can go, and many weeks/months of looking I finally found what sounds like the perfect share horse and I am worried sick about making a fool of myeself. Chatting to the owner the other night and she sounds very friendly and the terms are ideal. I am heading up during the week for a look at the mare and was looking for any advice as to what is expected. I planning in my head to have a very good look at the horse, tack her up, have the owner lead her around the arena(toward, away etc), mount her and work in a few paces, check the transitions, responsivity to aids- not sure how far I should be pushing her though- i.e sliding up and down to set up cavaletti polls, jumps or grids. Any sharers out there have any advice on their first look? or owners, what would you expect from a sharer you had never met before?

(horse is an 11 year old mare who has hunted, done local shows, bits of SJ and light dressage)

 

[Agent XXX999]

Like trying a horse really, walk trot canter jump in school, then a short hack using roads if you have too.

Keep it relaxed, dont do anything you dont feel comfortable with, and make sure it is OK for you to have lessons on her with your insrtuctor.

Good luck!

 

[Walder]

i have always had sharers for my ponies and as an owner i always realise that it is a nerve wracking exprerience for the potential sharer! just be freindly and kind to the horse that is always what draws me to one particular person rather than wonderfull riding ability! good luck

 

[kerilli]

try to be relaxed and see how the horse responds to you. i think if you hope to do some sj then jumping the horse when you try her would be expected. the owner should move poles etc if you ask nicely! good luck!

 

[lexiedhb]

When i tried my share, I tacked him up got on rode in the school, walk, trot, canter then went in a field... owner asked me if i'd like to jump, but as I hadnt in a good few years i declined until i felt more comfortable on him. She was fine with this. The next time i went we hacked out, on roads etc....... and took him for a gallop in one of their bigger fields..

I asked her about lateral work etc, and she said he knew the basics and was happy for me to do that with him... and now I just basically do what I like with him, as she trusts me.....

I'd just ask the owner if there is something you want to try with the horse when you go, they can only say no!!