Horse share advice

[boogie5]

Hi!
I've just started a share of my horse with a mother and daughter. The agreement was that no money would change hands but I would expect some stable duties in return, including emergency cover when I go away (which really isn't very often - maybe one weekend every 3 or so months).
They've told me they can't now commit to doing her for me on these occasions and that I should find someone else to cover - which I would have to pay for. What do you suggest saying? Should I ask for payment for shoes if no contribution towards her care is going to be given? Or just ask them to fund any emergency/holiday cover - which would obviously work out as much less ££ ??

Thanks

 

[paddi22]

the shoeing would be the easiest one? i'd be more relaxed if I organised cover and knew who was doing it.

 

[eggs]

Personally I would end the share. It sounds like they will be nothing but trouble.

 

[boogie5]

I should also add they got a bit funny when I asked them to skip out when they come and ride, they said they will help when they're here but not otherwise.

 

[94lunagem]

If you’ve only just started this share and they’re already pedalling back from your initial agreement, I would be thinking about ending the arrangement and find someone else

 

[Auslander]

Personally I would end the share. It sounds like they will be nothing but trouble.

Same here. Grinds my gears when people have a free horse to ride, and do everything they can to avoid helping out!

 

[94lunagem]

I should also add they got a bit funny when I asked them to skip out when they come and ride, they said they will help when they're here but not otherwise.

Cake and eating it springs to mind (on their part)

 

[Prancerpoos]

I agree with @eggs , this is not a good start so end it now.

 

[Waxwing]

Hi

I had a share prior to buying my own, There owner didn't want any money but the expectation was I did all the necessary jobs on the days I was there and covered if they were away. I was happy to do this and in addition offered to pay for shoeing, which the owner didn't want. I don't think you are being unreasonable and would query if they are right people to share with,

 

[starbucker]

Id say start again with a better agreement and agree nominal monthly amount to cover the required costs, paying for a free lancer because you are away comes across a bit too open ended, you are the one responsible for the horse and I would not rely on a new loaner this way personally. Even though its only few weekends, what if they are busy same weekend etc.

People loan because its less commitment and they may be doing something else / no longer loaning your horse in 6 months time

If they are against mucking out, filling water buckets or sweeping up after themselves you can show them to the nearest riding school if they want a 'turn up and ride' experience however ..

EDIT - its better they say they cant commit, than you rely on them then be dropped in it

 

[Peglo]

You’re offering a great opportunity for someone to share your horse, especially for folk who don’t have much spare cash. I’m sure there’d be so many people delighted to do the jobs and holiday cover for a free horse to ride.

Totally agree with @starbucker, send these pair to the nearest riding school.

 

[starbucker]

You’re offering a great opportunity for someone to share your horse, especially for folk who don’t have much spare cash. I’m sure there’d be so many people delighted to do the jobs and holiday cover for a free horse to ride.

Totally agree with @starbucker, send these pair to the nearest riding school.

I expect once OP asks for a nominal fee they will make their excuses and end the agreement. Great opportunity someone will be lucky and appreciate this offer (and probably be chomping at the bit for extra horse time holiday cover!)

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would tell them that unless they comply with the original agreement they can sod off moaning about a bit of skipping out fgs.

What a cheek

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Just to add I had people ride mine for free but they honestly couldn't do enough when they were here, would just skip out fill nets and they bought my horses things.

Find someone nicer who will appreciate the chance.

 

[Orangehorse]

I think you should maybe review the agreement. What you were asking for doesn't sound too much, but I also wonder if they might not turn up for your weekend away (the daughter might have school commitments for instance).

If there is a reliable freelancer to cover holidays, then asking for your sharer for some financial contribution as suggested might find out if they are as serious as you hope.

 

[Identityincrisis]

Kick them to the curb. As above they sound like they need to head back to a riding school

 

[ponynutz]

The not wanting to commit to covering holidays sounds fair enough to me - they cannot know for certain they will be available on the weekends you go away so they are perhaps worried about suddenly having an extra responsibility on a weekend when they weren't expecting it.

The not wanting to skip out is dodgy and a bit cheeky I'd say though.

I think start again and ask for some form of payment (shoes maybe?) and a provisional agreement that they are willing to offer holiday cover if they are free and you give them enough notice. I'd also draw up a contract if you're going to continue with this share - they sound like they could be tricky.

 

[southerncomfort]

If anyone 'got funny' with me about doing a very basic job that was in the original agreement, they wouldn't be coming back!

There are so many people looking for shares, no need to put with these ones.

 

[boogie5]

Thanks all, I have asked for shoes to be paid for now so will see what they come back with! I've said I'll arrange any holiday cover and do stable duties so literally just riding for them. It would have worked our well for them before as will probably only be one weekend we're away in the next 6 months! Which is why I felt they needed to be skipping out when they came to ride. At least this way I won't feel annoyed they aren't helping out and they won't feel pressure of having to do it!

I've said the share can be reviewed every 7 weeks (when shoeing is due) so I hope that's fair!

 

[nagblagger]

I can't believe you have backed down on the stable duties, that should be the minimum, if no weekly money is changing hands.
You should be getting paid, please don't be taken 'for a ride' by these manipulating people.

 

[AandK]

Why are you continuing the share OP? They sound like a nightmare, going back on things they agreed to at the start and moaning about skipping out… I can’t understand why you’d want to carry on with them?! I know for sure I wouldn’t.

 

[KatieDM]

Kick them to the curb. As above they sound like they need to head back to a riding school

This ^^^

They don’t come across well, I have to say. Sounds like it’s going to become a hassle and they’re already unreliable.

I’ve just started a part-loan and it’s 3 x days a week, with necessary jobs on those days. It’s £30 a week with contributions to shoes, teeth and worming. I personally want the hands-on experience and care duties, as I’m coming back to horses as an adult really. In comparison to sharing costs, my riding lesson is £25 for 30mins a week.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

On the one hand I'm thinking at least they let you know in advance about the holiday cover. But they also sound like they are taking the p and their attitude sounds off. Save yourself the hassle and stop things now.

 

[motherof2beasts!]

Pfftttt what a cheek, most sharers pay and do jobs. Inbetween owning I paid £15 a day and did 2 days a week, did all jobs on my days including mucking out stable, Pooh picking field , doing feeds/nets/water. I would either get rid of them or charge them going rate shoes alone is not enough.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I was also going to suggest for peace of mind it might be better to have other arrangements for holiday/emergency cover, if you don't already. At least while you are getting a new share established. Then make the share agreement separate of that so ask for other jobs and/or financial contribution.

 

[Waxwing]

For comparison my daughter had a part loan for three days a week, for which we paid £30 a week, plus shoes and poo picked the field. The pony shared the field with another pony and the owner didn't do any poo picking so on my daughter's days we cleared all the poo that had accumulated when we weren't there. I did feel that pooh picking seven days worth of poo from two ponies for the part loan of one was rather excessive, but my daughter liked the pony and I felt it was good for her to understand the reality of horse ownership. ( I did help with the poo picking!)

It is entirely your choice but I don't think asking for daily jobs is unreasonable particularly if no money is being paid. If no jobs are being done I would ask for a set amount per week or each day. The holiday cover is potentially a separate issue, when we had shares I was always flexible but with my own family commitments couldn't always guarantee to cover specific dates.

 

[southerncomfort]

Not seeing what's in it for you to be honest.

 

[Glitter's fun]

The shares I've come across are either paid for, or you "pay" in chores. Neither = just you being made a mug of I'm afraid.
Did you make an agreement in writing?

 

[eggs]

Thanks all, I have asked for shoes to be paid for now so will see what they come back with! I've said I'll arrange any holiday cover and do stable duties so literally just riding for them. It would have worked our well for them before as will probably only be one weekend we're away in the next 6 months! Which is why I felt they needed to be skipping out when they came to ride. At least this way I won't feel annoyed they aren't helping out and they won't feel pressure of having to do it!

I've said the share can be reviewed every 7 weeks (when shoeing is due) so I hope that's fair!

I think you are being too kind but if you do want to continue with these sharers then I would insist on having the shoeing paid in advance as otherwise I rather think that you will get to the end of the 7 weeks and suddenly they will drop you or come up with some reason as to why they cannot pay.

 

[NoodlesHalloween]

This is a difficult one, personally I don't think it is reasonable even if I was doing it for a friend to just turn up and ride. I agree they should pay in advance for the shoeing so you have a commitment. I am currently riding for a friend that is an instructor and I pay for my rides as until me and her horse have a good bond and full trust in each other I am learning with her so I happily pay and I will bring him in, groom and tack up and when we finish turn him out etc. I personally think the more hands on you are the more you learn and in turn the more knowledge you have which must result in a better horseperson as its not all about riding.