Horse share expectations.

[black and brown]

If people know that you work from home maybe they think it's easy for you to do their share the days they don't fancy it. Perhaps be more forthright at the beginning and make it clear that they are responsible on their days as you have work commitments which cannot be changed or interrupted.

 

[Kunoichi73]

I would bite your hand off for that sort of arrangement, so I don't think your expectations are too high at all.

This!

So many lazy people want something for nothing and have a massive sense of entitlement!

 

[magicmoments]

You're def not being unreasonable and have been very unlucky!

The 2 I ride currently have 3 sharers and one is a bit flakey and probably has a different defintion of busy than the rest of us and has a tendency to run out of time for chores though she gets reminded. .

I think I'd find a work reference a bt intrusive/strange request but I'd also be able to provide a lot of horsey ones if required

I do understand what you are saying regarding the work request, but it is the nearest comparable situation. Some employers may well refuse.

 

[MagicMelon]

Id ensure in the first conversation you have with a potential sharer that you say youve had issues with past sharers not turning up on wet days and the problem that then causes you. Then youve covered it straight away so they have the chance to say its not for them or if its ok for them. A contract IMO means nothing ultimately. Much better to just state it really obviously and loudly!

Doesnt sound like much down your way. I once advertised totally free riding with no money or chores - still never got anyone. People are weird!

 

[Kaylum]

They should also have their own rider insurance unless yours covers them.

 

[hellfire]

Gosh I was going to pay £35 a week for 2 days of riding which would have probably comprised of walking for 20 mins each time as the horse was coming back into work and unfit as was I! ! With stable chores on those days too!

That seems expensive. Don’t suppose you’re in my area . £25 a week two set days plus if there’s an event on a weekend I don’t mind him going on top as he loves and misses it. Sadly I can’t physically do it anymore.
Lives out 24/7 so minimal chores.

 

[hellfire]

Golly OP I would be SO grateful for a set-up like you are offering!
Where do you advertise? I wonder if advertising in tack shops and feed stores would attract more potential sharers who are already 'in the zone' with what if all involves? Maybe someone with a retired horse or on long term rest? Or by word of mouth at a local riding club?

It’s mainly been on the Facebook chats and pages for my area. I have mentioned to friends but no one is looking in my circle.
It’s how I found the last lady and she’s been fantastic. She still comes out once a week to see them and do the chores as loves it but sadly had to give up the riding and share. I’ve known her so long since she was 12. She’s 23 now. She’s known as my surrogate daughter . She was here before I bought Dakota as used to loan my Shetland and learnt on him.
I moulded her

 

[hellfire]

They should also have their own rider insurance unless yours covers them.

Yes I’ve insisted on that.

 

[ester]

Ah you had one you could train

 

[Birker2020]

That seems expensive. Don’t suppose you’re in my area . £25 a week two set days plus if there’s an event on a weekend I don’t mind him going on top as he loves and misses it. Sadly I can’t physically do it anymore.
Lives out 24/7 so minimal chores.

That seems expensive. Don’t suppose you’re in my area . £25 a week two set days plus if there’s an event on a weekend I don’t mind him going on top as he loves and misses it. Sadly I can’t physically do it anymore.
Lives out 24/7 so minimal chores.

It was well over the odds price wise but I was desperate to ride having an unrideable horse.

 

[Winters100]

In my opinion you are not being at all unreasonable, and I am really surprised that you don't have a line of people to pick from with this arrangement.

It actually makes me appreciate my sharers even more. Although we don't have any firm arrangement they come 2 to 3 times a week to ride, and although ponies are part livery they prepare bucket feeds with supplements and poo pick the field on the days that I can't go. I don't charge them, but the most important thing is that they are 100% reliable whatever the weather, and also happy to step in in emergencies, for example when I have been sick or away caring for my Mother. I guess this is partly because they had their own horses previously, maybe a good way would be to try to search for someone who used to own, or owns an unridable horse?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

What you're offering sounds great!

I had the reverse situation for one of my shares where the owner used to pick fair weather days off me, which I thought was a bit off tbh. When I had additional free time I used to go up and do an extra day non riding. I didn't pay for those days as it was a DIY yard so it meant an extra day off for owner. If I didn't ride on what was supposed to be a riding day I did still pay for those of course. We were always clear with each other about that.

As long as it's safe (i.e., ground conditions off road or visibility on roads) I'm quite happy to ride in rain.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I've had a few weirdos over the years when I've advertised for sharers, one girl turned up with boyfriend in tow and he wanted to walk with us on a hack, ok fine but it was winter so muddy and noticed he had gleaming white trainers on, he spent the whole time tip toeing round the mud and moaning about it.

Then second time she brought some other bloke and he wanted to wait in the car, bearing in mind this is at my house as horses are at home, so I told her I didn't want her bringing strange men to my house each time she rode and could she not come on her own.

Never saw her again

Another one I had was ok rode a few times she wanted to bring her husband and child up one day to watch her ride, they just wouldn't leave so eventually I said I've got to go out now so they would bugger off.

She turns to me and says oh that's OK my husband can come out for a hack with me on your other horse later if you need to go out.

I say no that's not gonna happen and she got really funny about it so that was that and I just ignored her calls after that, but she left me about 20 messages one day saying how much she loves Louis and she can't live without him. Weird or what.

 

[Blanche]

I wish I was near you, I would love that sort of arrangement.

 

[hellfire]

Ok so I was very blunt with the lady last night and in writing told her exactly what I expected in regards to doing the chores even if it’s wet or she can’t ride. Not letting me down last min but obviously if she’s sick or there’s an issue let me know asap.
I also told her she must wash his bit off as she didn’t last time even though I pointed out the tap and said it gets rinsed off every ride. Same if the tack needs a wipe off.
She’s been very apologetic and said she feels terrible as brought her daughter up who’s 13 to always do the chores no matter if they ride.
She had a prior loan that has been sold now.
She’s coming out now and we will see what today brings and try again.
I’ll get her to sign the contract after today if it goes well and she can start paying from the next day she’s out. Then I’ll do a paid trial period like suggested.
She’s promised to give me a month notice what days she wants as she does shift work. A week is fine for me but a month would be great.
She’s bringing her daughter out today so I can meet her too. She’s a competent novice apparently and she’d like to ride now and then.
I’ll watch her in the school first and see.
Although I’d happily let them have lessons here if they want.
Mums said she could hack my mental boy out with her daughter on my saint.
If they are capable I’m fine with that.
So see what today brings.

 

[Chianti]

Unfortunately the number of good sharers is heavily out weighed by the not so good. I've had both. A contract does help. Mine used to say that even if you couldn't ride due to weather you should come and do specified jobs. It didn't always work. It sounds as if in terms of work you're asking very little of them. Perhaps you need to be even clearer when dealing with initial approaches from them about what's expected and then go through the contract word by word when they sign it? I think there are some people who actually enjoy the caring part of a share and then there are those that want to dump the tack and run. With one sharer I ended up sticking notes up in the tack room where I knew she'd have to look. It often still didn't get done. She'd say ' I must have missed that one'. She went fairly quickly. The worst was the mum of a child sharer. I reduced the care side to very basic tasks - eg wash the bit when you've ridden. This still didn't get done. They also used to leave things lying on the stable floor. I would leave very polite notes ' can you please....' I then got a shitty note from the mum along the lines of ' you can't expect sharers to do things as you want them done. You have to put up with that. Stop sending us notes as it's spoiling 'child's name' enjoying riding him!' Another child was far too ill to even come and brush my pony but was well enough to go and watch her friends at the local show. her parents didn't see anything wrong in this.
Sorry - haven't been much help but at least you know it's not just you.

 

[Annagain]

I've been both a sharer and a sharee over the years and in both cases - unless there's a good reason - the sharer's days are the sharers days. If they don't want to ride that's fine but they still have to do their jobs. I think I've been very lucky (or a very good judge of character!) as I just don't recognise the picture that most paint of sharers. Mine have all been fab and they've only ended due to really genuine reasons (long distance moves and/or babies). Most of mine have been friends of friends so maybe that has something to do with it.

At the moment I'm out of action so I've told my sharer she can ride when she wants but I still do my days as my retired boy can have a big fuss if she's riding when I get there so it's no skin off my nose. She's absolutely fab and has already said she'll do them both every day when I have my op.

I wonder if the fact they live out is part of the reason they think it's ok not to come? They're obviously wrong but I wonder if it's a factor.

 

[ester]

Hopefully message understoood!

 

[TheOldTrout]

How are you finding your sharers? I asked my YO if she knew of anyone, my horse is at livery on a riding school so lots of enthusiastic young people around. Personal recommendation is always good.