Handing over the reins to someone else?

N

Neptune

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 April 2013
Messages
154
Visit site
Does any one just act as owner of their horse and have someone else ride and compete their horse for them?

I am thinking more and more this may be the best option for me/my horse. I love him more than anything and have no intention of selling him as he is such a lovely character, but he can be a handful at times and I often feel I have taken on more than I can cope with. I long to get out properly competing, I bought him with the aim to event him. But after just over 3 years we have not managed to get above prelim level dressage (ok so with fairly decent scores and rosettes on every outing) and I am yet to enter any show jumping comps with him even though I have had mountains of jumping lessons and we are still yet to jump anything more than 2ft6. He knows what he can get away with, with me and does take full advantage of this, he spooks when I do get him working amazingly, (nb. He has been fully checked not to be pain related) not because he is scared but because he knows it will unsettle me and my rhythm and he can go back to trawling round the school not working as correctly, as it then takes me a little while to get it back.

I have had others ride from time to time and he goes so much better for them then he does me. I watch in ore of his trot and canter as the rider goes round with a huge beam on their face and telling me how wonderful he feels. If he tries spooks etc on with them they are obviously just so much better riders than me and can kick him on and work him through it. He is an amazing horse to watch and I so want that same feeling when I ride him, but I just can’t get it.

I have always felt I put too much pressure on myself to get everything right and it takes the fun and enjoyment out of riding for me. He is 7 years old and staying with me riding him he is doing the same work as a 4/5 year old! Others get on him and just get so much more out of him than I can.

I am starting to think I need a horse I can get on and have fun with, I may not be winning classes and making the cross country times but at least I know I can go out and get a nice decent round in and ENJOY myself. That is what it is supposed to be about right!? I don’t doubt that me and my current horse will get there, but after 3 years how much longer can it take?? Maybe I do just have to face that after many many years of riding and continual lessons I am just not a natural good enough rider and it is time to hand over the reins to someone that can take him there and I can get the enjoyment from watching him looking and going well instead.

So if you have someone else ride your horse, for what reasons do you do this? Is it because you just want to act as owner or for other reasons?
 
It sounds like you need a school master type for a couple of years - a horse you can go out, get experience on and learn from. Whether you can afford to keep the two together and persevere with your current horse I don't know - it may be that you let your horse go to someone that can compete him so that he comes back to you when you are both more experienced and you're able to deal with his naughty tricks, or it may be that having a second horse gives you the satisfaction of competing and helps you through your issues with this horse at the same time.
 
I am generally the rider rather than the owner.
Some I just school and compete, owner still rides but not in competition. The last horse only I rode. Got him going nicely, past the OMG stage at comps etc and then handed back to owner.
You don't have to give up the riding completely to get your horse competing well.
ETA - none of the horses I have ridden for owners became my responsibility day to day. Owners did all the looking after. Decisions regarding tack, feed, workload etc well all made jointly.
 
Last edited:
Not personally but I do know people who do this. Depends on what you want, what you can afford and what would give you pleasure. It works for my friend at the moment as the horse is too young and she's too busy, so the horse is getting a great education and training and may at some point be ready for my friend to take her on. However, it's equally possible they aren't suited and this arrangement avoids having to think about what that mean long term.

Sounds like you are having confidence issues, which can take time effort and money to sort, and may not be sorted if you're really not suited to each other. Potentially with more experience etc it may come right for you but I'd be asking myself if this really was the horse for me and whether he'd be better suited to someone else, leaving you free (emotionally and financially) to look for another.
 
A pro has ridden my horse for me, competing at BE80. It's a lot of fun!! It will allow you to decide if you enjoy being an owner (and maybe take over yourself in a few months/years) or if would prefer to be doing it yourself on an easier horse.
 
I ride / compete for an owner of a very tricky mare.
She proved early on to be quite talented but not overly co-operative if she didn't think she needed to be and being very intelligent the owners felt she should be out doing more as she was fast picking up bad habits.
For the first 3 years she came to me on and off to have specific issues resolved and then went back again, but has now been with me consistently for 2 years and has really come on and is beginning to prove herself. She is still very tricky and has more quirks then I can mention but we crack on!
To give you an idea of what's options there are, the owners pay for her livery, shoes and vets fees, as well as a contribution to competition costs. I cover everything else and care for her/work her on a daily basis and the owners are welcome to ride whenever they want but never do. I do it for the enjoyment more than the money (although some days I have to repeat that loud and clear, when we've gone across the school head between knees!!) it's a system that works well for us and they like to come and watch her work at home or see her compete. You need to understand what you want out of the process I think.
 
Lanky Loll - I have had the schoolmaster (still have him infact!) He was semi-retired around 4 years ago due to on going arthritis issues. So I have the two at the moment (can not afford a third!)

I have done all the previous steps correctly before getting a younger horse. Bought him really feeling I was ready with a good support network around me also. But for some reason I just can not get it to work.

Funnily enough he is better behaved at comps! He tends to look to me for re-assurance and actually LISTENS to me, so he actually goes pretty well. But we can not work on the next level up as I can not get this at home.

Out hacking he will try to take control of something he is not sure of and not respect my input to try and help him work past/round what ever the object/issue is and make it better for a more confident hack next time.

Schooling, he can sometimes just switch off to me then have an almighty spook out of no where. I struggle to get him to switch back on and input the energy into the work as opposed to the naughtiness. Others can seem to keep him switched on all the time.

I do not feel un-confident on him. Can't say I have total trust and confidence in him and what he is liable to throw at me. But I most definitely have low confidence / self believe in myself and what I can do/achieve. What we can achieve together.

PaddyMonty - Guess it is not a bad idea to get someone to work him through the bad stage for now, I don't have to give up the riding totally. Just get someone to deal with the babyish behaviour for now. But then I can not really afford to pay someone to ride him in this way for a few months. Only way I can do it is to find someone that is looking for a horse to compete and then the agreement works both ways.

Not really sure how the agreements work between owner and rider?
 
yes - I have owned horses that have been kept solely with pros and I have had horses kept with me but competed by others. I actually really enjoy being an owner - with the pros because my horses get to compete at a level that I wouldn't dare to do but also as I get older I just enjoy seeing someone else compete my horse even if I have put in a lot of the work myself. If you are the sort of person that puts pressure on yourself and believes that your horse possibly goes better for others (whether true or not but that's me) then you may find it a lot more enjoyable watching your horse succeed with others...
 
Neptune said:
But then I can not really afford to pay someone to ride him in this way for a few months. Only way I can do it is to find someone that is looking for a horse to compete and then the agreement works both ways.

Not really sure how the agreements work between owner and rider?
Click to expand...
For all the horses I have ridden no money changes hands. Owner pays for and looks after horse, I just ride it both at home and at comps. I'm not a pro, just someone who happens to have 40 odd years experience riding and competing a huge cross section of horses. I don't have the time now to commit to 7 day a week ownership so being able to ride quality horses in the evening/weekends whilst assisting owner without them having to pay extra works well.
 
I have been the rider, usually a livery client who wants a horse competed for them also I have been the owner paying a pro to ride something for me, so have been on both sides, for it to work well without sending the horse away to the rider it is usually best that the owner and rider work together, you may be best finding a good instructor/ trainer who will teach you and ride the horse in competitions, if they are short of a ride they may be happy to do it for nothing, you just paying expenses which is what I have done for my clients as it keeps me getting out competing without the expenses involved.
To find a decent rider willing to put in the work for nothing is not that easy but if they are being paid for your lessons and can combine helping you with riding a nice horse they may be more happy to do something for nothing, there are not that many people with PaddyMonty's experience out there that don't have their own to ride so a young pro looking to take on as much as they can would be who I would look for.
 
almostthere said:
yes - I have owned horses that have been kept solely with pros and I have had horses kept with me but competed by others. I actually really enjoy being an owner - with the pros because my horses get to compete at a level that I wouldn't dare to do but also as I get older I just enjoy seeing someone else compete my horse even if I have put in a lot of the work myself. If you are the sort of person that puts pressure on yourself and believes that your horse possibly goes better for others (whether true or not but that's me) then you may find it a lot more enjoyable watching your horse succeed with others...
Click to expand...

Same thing for me. I'm getting too old to compete at the level I used to, so do most of the fitness and flatwork at home, and a pro rider jumps and competes my mare. I love just watching, and having time to photograph and video instead of doing it all. Its worked really well, with the combination doing much better than I ever expected (up to 1* now). I get charged for traveling to school, plus a ride fee for the day, and it works really well. If your horse needs a lot of schooling, then its going to be quite expensive. Make sure you check out your chosen rider's competition record, I've had a lot of wannabees who want to charge me to ride, and their record was awful. I could have done better!
 
I am the rider. Have been for 2 years now. I compete BD Elementary on one horse and am working Medium/ Adv Medium at home on 2 others. I ride 2 PSG school masters and part loan a Medium horse, the medium horse I have literally just started competing Elementary and I also school a young, green ex-racer. I LOVE schooling, as in it’s all I want to do. I eat, sleep and breathe dressage and schooling and there are a hell of a lot of people out there that have good horses but not the time/ confidence/ inclination or all 3 to either ride them solely every week or at all.

I am so extremely lucky to be able to ride the horses I do and I thank my lucky stars every day. I don’t have the money for my own at the moment as I’m trying to pay off debts/ save for mortgage so this set up works perfectly for me.

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of us around, as in okay riders who can’t afford their own :p it does tend to be the more novicey people that apply for ‘rider wanted’ ads and the like so I think it puts a lot of owners off advertising.
 
Perfect_Pirouette said:
Unfortunately, there are not a lot of us around, as in okay riders who can’t afford their own :p it does tend to be the more novicey people that apply for ‘rider wanted’ ads and the like so I think it puts a lot of owners off advertising.
Click to expand...

I think this is very true. I cant even find a horse to ride atm. I did respond to a share advert but was turned down as I was male and therefore was certain to ruin her horses mouth. :(
 
I do, as I work full time and have 6 horses although 3 are technically retired and 1 isn't broken yet. I do it because I don't have the time to do it properly and every time I start to do stuff I get broken (not always horse related but currently sat here with broken foot and injuries have ranged from torn tricep to broken ribs from the youngster penning me against the stable wall!)

As a result my confidence has taken a pounding and I'm seriously fed up of having to do all the work including mucking out. So I employ someone to do this and ride within their time. I've been really lucky because they are extremely flexible and enjoy bringing horses on. They do get to compete and have lessons but I don't pay them to do this, I pay entry and instructor fees - its my choice of instructor too (which has given them a chance to learn more - GP rider level). I've also suffered with the broken horse syndrome, so we do what we can when we can.

I do enjoy watching although do get a little frustrated at times as its not necessarily how I would approach or do things, but I've learnt to accept that if the horse is in the best interest for the same outcome, that its not always bad!
And when I'm fixed I get a fit horse that is better schooled than when I last rode (hopefully, horse brain permitting!)

I have been through a few people and quite honestly got fed up of 'sharers' as I couldn't find anyone who rode well enough or was flexible enough, or wanted to progress or hack and not yatter all the time! I know that sounds mad, but I pay therefore I decide what happens!!! If you are lucky enough to find someone great, I'd love to save the money, but am currently very happy with who I have and need the extra help!
 
Why not simply advertise for a sharer? You may not get the most experienced people but honestly your horse doesn't sound that bad - seems more like a confidence issue on your part. Maybe then you can also subsidise a (rideable) schoolmaster type? Or even lessons... And depending on where your horse is kept, maybe the sharer(s) can have lessons on your horse as well - which will also help your horse get more focused. The sharer would pay for those and then in a few months you might find your horse is a lot easier for you to handle anyway. I know a lot of people whine about people advertising for sharers to "bring on" their horse but I think you're safe from that criticism, if that's a concern. It sounds like you have a lovely horse that others would take great enjoyment from and you just need to see him going well and feel the pressure off yourself for a little while to build some confidence. The thing about a sharer is that the relationship is pretty clear-cut - you're still in charge, the care of the horse is your pretty much entirely your concern and you can still ride when you want.
 
I have only ever been the rider, but have seen a number of people in your situation.
Firstly, unless i was getting paid i would not ride a horse i did not enjoy - it is supposed to be fun after all and they are extremely expensive luxury items to have to look at. I do know people who thoroughly enjoy being just owners, and watching someone else, but I don't think you are really at that stage yet by the sounds of it. Personally, I get jealous of other people riding my horses, but that is just me.
So, I would write down the pro's and con's of either 1. selling your horse and getting one you can have fun with, or 2. getting different help from what you currently have. Sometimes people get in a rut and it needs a completely different approach to get out of it.
Personally, if you really like the horse then i would try the latter. You can get more confident and you can improve your riding; these are both just skills to learn - having a partnership with an intelligent talented horse is like nothing else on earth and worth striving for -it's pure magic. You may just need to find the right combination of help for you.

Having said that, getting someone else to ride him for a short while (if you can afford it) and building up skills on another horse (either mental or physical skills) might help too. There is a saying that if you keep doing what you've always done then you will keep getting what you have always got (or words to that effect). You may have to think outside the box on what help you need e.g. just a change of instructor, or lunge lessons, or help out in a dealer's yard to get lots of different riding experience, or a sports coach, or ....

Having said all that, remember that it really is supposed to be fun, and you need to make a decision based on what your instinct tells you, not what one of us would do in your position.
 
I'm a bit in your situation OP. I'm more than happy pootling about on my pony, but I get immense pleasure from watching her being ridden by someone more competant than I am. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do from September when my "rider" goes off to university in the UK :/
 
I have been the rider, but never for pay - my riding level is ok, but not good enough that I'd consider charging anyone :D

When I was a teenager I ended up in an unofficial swap situation. I rode this lady's unpredictable horse, she rode our sensible one; I enjoyed the challenge, she built up some confidence. Maybe someone on your yard might be interested?
 
I have paid a pro to show my Arab and his been to her for schooling for a few weeks, I am hopeless at shows I get really nervous about the riding bit but I love getting them ready and watching the classes, so it made sense for me to get someone to do the riding she does a much better job than me and it's a great experience for him to have a confident rider on board, the rest of the time his a normal horse I hack him and school him I still have lessons with him and maybe one day I might be able to do it myself.
 
A bit of this depends on what you are already paying - i.e. if you have your horse at home now with minimal expense it would be a bigger deal, but if you are already paying a whack of livery plus lessons for you, you may find an up and coming person who wouldn't be much more- you could see how they went for say 6 months, and your horse could come back as the horse you wanted all along. No major commitment- it would be easier sold then too if it still wasn't working for you..
 
Another option, particularly if you want to continue with him and cant afford another horse, is to find a good trainer that is willing to ride as well. In addition to helping you through lessons to progress with your horse and build your confidence, they can get on when there are issues and help correct them . If you are lucky, they might even compete the horse for you at a slightly higher level before you get on and compete at the level you wish to. This way you get the best of both worlds
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top