How much input should sharers have?

[Blizzard]

A question for sharers and people who have a sharer for their horses.

Just how much say should a sharer have regarding the horse, what rights and responsibilities should they have?

I only ask as it seems to vary so much.

Some sharers seem content to only come and ride a few times a week, and see the horse as the owners.

Other sharers seem to think they have as much right to the horse as the owner, and class the horse as half theirs, want an imput into care etc.

I was just wondering what experiences people have had, good and bad.

Personally Ive always been put off getting a sharer because as far as Im concerned my horses are MY horses, and I wouldnt appreciate someone telling me how to do things. Recently Ive been contemplating the idea of getting someone to ride mine(you may have seen my post the other day). To me I wouldnt class that person as a 'sharer'.

My worry is the horse being ruined.

So opinions please!

 

[jumpthemoon]

I used to have a lady look after my horse while I was at college. She rode him and looked after him during the week in term time. I didn't really consider her a sharer, though I suppose she was. I told her how my horse was to be looked after and that is what she did - it worked really well, I have to say. She also wasn't a super duper competition rider, and just hacked my horse out for me, but I didn't find this made any difference to his way of going (she was experienced, though)

 

[Baileysno1]

I have a lovely sharer for my vertran TB she rides 3 - 4 times a week, she's a total godsend, I was struggling to give Bailey the attention and work he needs so advertised, she helps with the jobs on the evenings she rides, and pays £5 each time she comes, its all completely flexible and she has no real say in Baileys care, we're moving yards in September and she was fine about it.

Bailey is in his twenties and is retired from serious competition, shes dione some RC rallies and we're off to a local training camp this weekend with my other horse too. I was worried a sharer would hammer him, but its all about being very clear about your expectations and being fair to your horse and any sharer. I would look at the reasons you need a sharer and advertise honestly, its the best way to avoid any problems.

 

[xspiralx]

Depends really.

I think if you share a horse, the owner still has ultimate say over what should be done for the horse.

However if you are looking after the horse 50/50 and paying a fair amount, then the sharer should get input on some things, although final decision always remains with the owner.

 

[MarthaRodman1]

I've had 2 sharers for Jack. Both of who have in the past had their own horses. My current sharer pays for his shoes, she rides twice a week and looks after him just how she would her own - she sticks to his routine etc. As she used to own her own, I often ask her advice on feed, shoes or just general questions on how she thinks he is etc. I don't for one minute think that she feels she has 'rights' over him, but I completely value and trust her opinion, as I did with his previous sharer. Who incidently now has her own horse on loan up my yard and we help each other out loads with jobs etc.

I think if you instruct a sharer on how to care for your horse - they should follow that, and contact you with any questions or if they are unsure of anything. If horse on loan, then different kettle of fish completely me thinks.

 

[browbrow]

IMO - an sharer has no rights at all - they ride and go home as far as I am concearned - there is nothing wrong with a sharer suggesting things at all and its very good if you have a sharer that you can have a good relationship with but if your horse is happy and healthy and doesnt need 'tweeking' then a sharer doesnt need to be trying to change things.

If a sharer wants a horse they can mold - they should get their own.

I have been a sharer myself and although there were things I would have liked different horse was happy and healthy and owner was ok so I didnt really bother although I am good friends with her and would always suggest things if asked.

There is nothing wrong with a bit of give and take mind

 

[Darkview]

I had a sharer for my old cob when I was younger and it worked fabulously. Whilst I decided on the routine my sharer could do whatever he like with him on his days (he did tues and fri and we went up together at weekends).

I dont think someone that rides for you is a sharer, they are a rider. To me a sharer takes responsibility for mucking out, grooming and caring for the horse on "their" days and as such their needs to be a certain level of flexibility on the owners part.

My sharer did not contribute financially so I always had the "upper hand" on changes, but I think anyone giving money and spending a decent amount of their time on your horse should have some say in how things are run, even if it is only the odd suggestion.

 

[RachelB]

I don't consider myself to have many rights when it comes to my share horse. I would if I had paid for half of him, but I haven't. My contribution is taking him off his owner's hands for two days a week, so she doesn't have to worry about him. I mainly jump him as owner considers herself too "old and creaky" to do it herself, so I have pretty much free-rein when it comes to his schooling and advancement in this area. However, she knows I am a competent rider and I hack and school him as well, and have lessons. With regards to competing, he goes out up to three weekends out of four. I get one of these, and we have a calendar that we mark on any shows we'd like to go to and then discuss which would be possible (owner works a little around me as well as me around her, but has the ultimate say in things). Everything else is down to her, but I can give my opinion and it is valued. I'm lucky though as I have known horse and owner for nearly two years and get on really well with both.
I love Cookie as if he were half mine, and care for him how I would if he were mine (which luckily is the same as his owner would), but when it comes down to it if his owner and I disagree over an issue, it will always be her over me.
Then again I am such a quiet person that I just get on with things how other people want them done (unless it really was wrong, then I'd get YO involved).