HELP! sharer audition

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Koda

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I am auditioning a sharer tomorrow, and I just wondered what I should do? Particularly when she rides the horse. I had a girl try the mare out and she fell off cantering around the indoor (horse did nothing to cause it). Now I'm worried. She's a well behaved mare, but quite forward going. Should I tell the woman to stay in a small circle around me or something?? The last audition gave me such a shock, I'm in 'once bitten twice shy' mode.
I was also thinking I should let the woman tack up, might give me a chance to see if she knows the basics, and she can see how well behaved the mare is in stable. What do you think?
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HELP!
 
Yea let her do as much as possible.

You want to know she can do it before you let her loose on your horse!
When i went to try a share horse, i had a chat with the lady then she groomed the horse with me showed me where the tack was and let me tack up, mount, ride, jump etc

I liked this as i didn't feel like i was being shown how to do it (after all i had been doing it for 11 years lol)

Just relax it is important you like her as well as your horse likes her. Try not to worry just be yourself and be honest!

Good luck let us know how it goes :-D
 
When i looked for loaners it was shocking how new to riding some of the people where - i would definately let them tack up then lead out and get on etc to get an idea of how competant they are - also you should be able to tell but their rising trot whether they are capable of canter - there were several people that came to try my horse that as soon as they started trotting i told them to stop because they werent suitable (very annoying when theyve told you they are the bees knees!)
 
i love how you call it an audition
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yeah id expect her to groom tack up etc, then you get on show her the horse in walk trot canter and jump then get her on. good luck hope it goes well!
 
As long as you have told this lady excatly what your horse is like, and she thinks she has enough experience to cope, then I would let her do everything while you watch, you will get a much better idea if she is going to be 'the one'.
The same goes for riding, I would not make special allowances, after all, this lady will have sole charge of your horse when she is riding it on her own, you have to know you can trust her.
If at any time you feel she is not experienced enough, then you will have to make a decicion as to whether you want her to continue.
If you feel its okay, then perhaps accompany her for the first two weeks when she rides, just so you can smooth over any queries and she can see how you like things done.
I am a sharer myself, and I would expect this sort of attention to detail when begining any sharing arrangement. It is also perfectly reasonable to ask the sharer to have regular lessons with your instructor.
Lastly - smile, this person could become a good friend!

Good luck
 
Thanks guys. Sound advice. I will observe her grooming tacking etc, ride first myself, then ask her to walk and trot to begin with until I am satisfied she's capable to continue. Sound good?
I have this niggling concern...The woman said 'you say NO VICES in the ad, so I take it she doesn't spook'
I said: 'not often, but she's a horse after all so I make no guarantees.'
It seemed like an odd question (suggests to me she's a nervy rider), but hey ho, I'll just have to see how it goes! :-)
 
Lol its the uncertianty thats the worse lol But yes what you said sounds brill.. . . just see what she is like on the day. . .

Fingers crossed for you!!
 
See I can understand why you are cautious after your last experience however personally I'd feel really uncomfortable if I were told only to walk or trot near the owner. It's not that I'm a novice or incapable rider, as I've been riding since an early age, I just tend to get really nervous when I'm first viewing a horse and like to use the whole arena to suss the horse out and relax into it - usually trying to block out the fact I have the owner watching me.

Usually after a short while the owner has been happy to leave me for a while to get to know the horse and then I've usually had a short accompanied hack to see how the horse reacts outside of the school.

I think this is a much better situation than assuming that this girl is incapable before she arrives. As others have said, when she trots it'll become clear how much experience she does have and you can stop it there if needs be.
 
As a first-time sharer I wanted to watch the horses be cantered/jumped but actually only wanted to walk/trot myself the first time.

I now share the horse who made the canter-decision himself after spooking and we get on great! (It took me a few circuits of the arena to stop him and his owner said 'well sat' :-) but actually he has a really comfortable, if unusual, canter for me.)

It also really helped that his owner told me she was shy about riding in front of potential sharers too.

So, don't worry too much. I'm sure you'll know by gut-feel. And if either/both are still unsure I can really recommend potential sharer havign a lesson with your instructor. You don't have to worry becasue shaer is 'supervised' with horsey and they don't have to ride in front of you!
 
Yeah good idea. The instructor at the yard is great, and would tell me straight away if she felt the rider was unsuitable. Hopefully it will all go great. Wish me luck!
Just had another email from someone who's interested in sharing the mare. Yay! At least I have options.
Thanks for all the advice guys. Very helpful as always. What would I do without you lot! :-)
 
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