horse care

izzytoyah

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so i’ve just got a share horse (from a riding school)

and i’m not sure what i should be doing daily (health and vet stuff)

what do i need to buy? what should i be doing?

not sure if its a stupid question but ive been researching and just dont know what i should be doing

thanks x
 

Orangehorse

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Ask the people who own him so you both know what is supposed to happen when and what your responsibilities will be.
What you have to pay, if anything, when will it be due. Will you be expected to pay for anything else like a set of shoes.
Who is responsible for getting his regular vaccinations and who is responsible for arranging for the farrier to attend to his feet.

How and when are you supposed to be riding him and what limits are there on what you can do with him.

There are books you can get from the library on horse care. Basically a horse needs a safe place to be turned out, feed which might just be hay and grass, clean water and at least inspected daily to make sure that he is well. Well fitting tack to be ridden in which is kept in clean condition and groomed before riding to remove any mud that might rub under the saddle or girth.

If you don't know or don't understand, just ask again. Maybe keep a diary and note down what you need to do, and have done and then you have a record.

Good luck and enjoy.
 

izzytoyah

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Make sure the riding school isn't 'using and abusing you'. Have it documented how often they may use 'your' horse. If you buy it anything it remains your property, not back to the school for their use.
Unfortunately i am very suspicious when i hear of a share from riding schools, but it may suit some people.
thank you so much for the advice

but where im sharing from you get a locker to lock all your stuff you own away and if your horse is used in lessons (mine isn’t) it’ll only be on saturdays. and you are told the days you can ride. x
 

izzytoyah

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Ask the people who own him so you both know what is supposed to happen when and what your responsibilities will be.
What you have to pay, if anything, when will it be due. Will you be expected to pay for anything else like a set of shoes.
Who is responsible for getting his regular vaccinations and who is responsible for arranging for the farrier to attend to his feet.

How and when are you supposed to be riding him and what limits are there on what you can do with him.

There are books you can get from the library on horse care. Basically a horse needs a safe place to be turned out, feed which might just be hay and grass, clean water and at least inspected daily to make sure that he is well. Well fitting tack to be ridden in which is kept in clean condition and groomed before riding to remove any mud that might rub under the saddle or girth.

If you don't know or don't understand, just ask again. Maybe keep a diary and note down what you need to do, and have done and then you have a record.

Good luck and enjoy.
thank you so much for the advice x
 

SilverLinings

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First of all there is no such thing as a silly question, and we were all beginners once :)

Other posters have already given good advice about checking with the RS what aspects of care they expect you to be responsible for. Once they have let you know what they want you to do if there is anything you still don't understand then you can come back and ask on here and it is likely that someone will be able to give a good explanation, but the riding school should really explain it all clearly to you.

I hope that you enjoy your time with your new share horse.
 

izzytoyah

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I don't like your phrase 'you get told the days you can ride' ! How far in advance is this done and what happens if it is not convenient to you?
sorry i didn’t phrase that well, i ride the same days every week (for me it’s tuesday, friday and alternating saturday and sunday with her other loaner) ive picked days i can easily do and the days are the same each week.
 

izzytoyah

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First of all there is no such thing as a silly question, and we were all beginners once :)

Other posters have already given good advice about checking with the RS what aspects of care they expect you to be responsible for. Once they have let you know what they want you to do if there is anything you still don't understand then you can come back and ask on here and it is likely that someone will be able to give a good explanation, but the riding school should really explain it all clearly to you.

I hope that you enjoy your time with your new share horse.
thank you so much for the advice!
 

nagblagger

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Not a problem with another sharer - i presume the horse does get 1 day off, but if the riding school were using him for lessons as well on 'your' days.
 

izzytoyah

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Not a problem with another sharer - i presume the horse does get 1 day off, but if the riding school were using him for lessons as well on 'your' days.
one of my friends has had a full loan there for a few years now so i know it’s good place, the horse is getting a day off each week and if a horse is in lessons (mine isn’t) its only ever on saturdays.
 

Glitter's fun

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so i’ve just got a share horse (from a riding school)

and i’m not sure what i should be doing daily (health and vet stuff)

what do i need to buy? what should i be doing?

not sure if its a stupid question but ive been researching and just dont know what i should be doing

thanks x
How exciting! I do hope you enjoy having him. The best thing with a new horse is not to change his routine, so ask what his day to day care has been before and stick to it. Talk to his other sharer too & see if you can both treat him the same - he will be happier with a regular routine.
Good luck!😁
 

Tiddlypom

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I’ve had a horse on working livery at two good yards, and it did work well 🙂. It was my own horse, though.

Just to be clear. On ‘your’ days, which are Tuesdays, Fridays and one weekend day, do you get sole use of the horse all day? Are there any limitations on what you can do with him on those days, can you eg hack him out, or box him up to go on a farm ride?

You need a very clear loan agreement as to who is responsible for what. Might you get stung for a contribution to vets fees if something happens to him when he is being used by the RS or the other loaner? The RS should be very clear on all of this - if they aren’t, then I suggest that you look elsewhere.
 

Carrottom

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Regarding what to buy to put in your locker I would recommend:
A basic grooming kit including a hoof pick,
A well fitting headcollar and lead rope.
Then you know where these essentials are when you want to get you horse ready.
 

izzytoyah

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I’ve had a horse on working livery at two good yards, and it did work well 🙂. It was my own horse, though.

Just to be clear. On ‘your’ days, which are Tuesdays, Fridays and one weekend day, do you get sole use of the horse all day? Are there any limitations on what you can do with him on those days, can you eg hack him out, or box him up to go on a farm ride?

You need a very clear loan agreement as to who is responsible for what. Might you get stung for a contribution to vets fees if something happens to him when he is being used by the RS or the other loaner? The RS should be very clear on all of this - if they aren’t, then I suggest that you look elsewhere.
so yes i get full use to her on my days and i am free to choose what i do, its agreed that me and her the other loaner pay half and half for farrier and vet bills are covered by the stables.
 

Glitter's fun

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Regarding what to buy to put in your locker I would recommend:
A basic grooming kit including a hoof pick,
A well fitting headcollar and lead rope.
Then you know where these essentials are when you want to get you horse ready.
Also, a couple of spare saddle cloths / pads - whatever he's used to, are very useful. If you arrive on your day & there isn't a dry one or the other sharer took them home to wash it's frustrating.
 
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