How do you "judge" if someone is OK to share you horse?

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cyberhorse

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Just looking into the possibility of getting a sharer for one of our horses. We have our horses on a great yards with loads of facilities, but as it is 30 miles away the cost of fuel is getting too much in addition to the increasing costs of livery. Moving the horses closer to home is a non-starter as there is no where with the same facilities for the price, so it would end up costing the same and we would not be able to ride throughout winter. As my husband does not ride our youngster more than twice a week it would seem a sharer could be an option. However how do I go about finding someone for a 5yr old that is being brought on carefully and slowly? Although my horse is 13yrs old and on paper would be easier to get a sharer for, he is an ex-pro SJ and really quirky gassy ride. Generally if someone is confident and has the ability to ride him they would want it free (thinking they are doing me a favour) or for me to be paying them! I feel although our youngster is less established he is far safer and less prone to developing naughty/dangerous habits.

How do you assess a persons experience/common sense with any confidence and their riding ability? Also would you ask for a set amount of money per week or would you ask them to provide livery for both horses on that day? I would not consider them just doing the horse they are riding as it would really not save me enough (£5) to warrant taking the risk. The horse in question is a quality prospect not an average plod and the facilities alone would cost £15 per hour to hire. We were thinking one day during the week and one day at the weekend? Do you think this is realistic or should I consider selling our horse at this point and looking for a share for my husband instead?
 
go by gut feeling of if you think you will get on together.

if you willl, then everything else falls into place and it doesn't matter whether they know more/less than you, are more/less confident, because if you get on together, then you have good communication and both of you develop and the horse benefits.

If you think you've found someone, have a short trial period, no money involved, let them ride and "do", see how they are around horse, does horse like them, do they annoy you (it's the little things that mount-up and annoy!), can you live with them. If good answers, then formalise it into a more usual sharing arrangement and enjoy!
 
I have had numerous sharers for my horses and find that one of the biggest things you should look for is reliability! I know this is very difficult from just meeting someone but when you arrange for someone to come and ride your horse etc and they dont turn up it totally throws all your plans and messes their riding routines up! Also, sometimes someone less experienced is more likely to do it your way, it all depends what they want to do with your horse and how easy it is.

I work out how much it costs per day (feed,shoes,livery,bedding,insurance) for my horses and i charge them that amount for each time they come to do the horse as long as they are willing to commit to a minimum of 2 days a week including stable duties, however, i have never had them do the other horses for me so that is a bit different for you. If it is someone who just wants to come and ride occasionally then I charge them more.

I would also say, make sure your insurance covers additional riders and make sure that they provide proof of rider insurance too.

I also had trial periods where they come for a couple of weeks to get used to the horse whilst i was around. Its great having the additional income but it can be really stressful! I lost my 100% reliable lady a few months back as she moved away and the people that have come since are just more trouble than they are worth!

Selling and finding a share for your husband might be an option but can you bear to part with your youngster? I have had this more than once and i still end up cutting back elsewhere and keeping them all. Would it work out cheaper to have variable livery if where you are offers it? say a couple of times a week they do them morning and night for you? Obviously the horses wont get ridden on these days though.


Good luck, i feel your pain!
 
If you are looking for an experienced rider then you are more likely to get one that will do both horses on their days rather than pay you.
Reliability in a sharer is critical, especially if they are going to be doing the horses on their days. Someone who has previously owned horses and understands the commitment required would be a good starting point.
If you want to test their riding ability having seen them ride your youngster put them on your older horse.
 
Try asking an instructor you trust if they know of anyone. This is most likely to work if you know an instructor who also does some work at a riding school. You could also try asking at some good quality riding schools. I know of people who ride in a riding school purely because they can't commit the time and/or money to have their own horse but would be more than capable of bringing on a five year old.

You could also try your local uni or equestrian college.

Talk to any possible people first, then arrange for them to come down and meet the horses. You should get a fair idea of their abilities from watching them deal with the horses on the ground. Then pop them up on the youngster in the school while you are there, if they are terrible end the session asap.
 
Thanks everyone! some extra points there to consider. The yard we are at runs lessons so that was one source of potential sharers I would prefer to go by as the YOs will have an idea about them rather than a total unknown. Just frustrating that it currently costs me more to go down and do the horses then have them on full livery and I do not want the horses to have less contact time really. Would be nice if it fits in with someone who can't afford one of their own but is good and reliable. Worth trying I suppose.
 
I've got 2 now but altogether have had 4 sharers for one horse over the last few years. Go with your gut feel. Mine screamed at me when when the ex BSJA competitor/ex medium level dressage bod was trialling my mare but I put her way of riding down to being very out of practice (she said it had been years) and let her come up and share the horse. She upset everyone in the yard in one afternoon and didn't care for my horse properly - not washed down at all in the height of summer, I got there hours after she'd ridden to find my horse covered in sweat and upset in the field. And then the woman lied about it

I then had a young school girl who came up who was lovely, rode really well and was reliable. She shared with an EDT who is still my sharer - she's reliable and trustworthy. Trust is the most important factor IME.
 
I had someone riding my 5yo this summer free of charge, as basically it gave me time to spend with my daughter on her pony twice a week. Great girl, trustworthy but just stopped coming out of the blue. She done what ever she liked and had no chores to do either.
 
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