How to get 'ready' for a share

[ArklePig]

Hi there!

I'm an adult who's returned to riding after learning initially as a child. I did lessons for about 18 months prior to lockdown. Luckily, lessons are allowed where I am at the minute (Northern Ireland). I've also found a new riding school since lockdown and am coming on so much more there in my private lessons than in my last place. I'm doing small jumps and cantering etc after not having ridden from March to October.
Thing is I am DESPERATE for a share. Literally all I think about is owning a horse of my own-I'm like an obsessed child but I'm 30 ?I'm comfortable around horses and have no objection to yard work but I feel like i don't know enough to approach anyone offering a share-not that many novice rides are available. I just want a horse to fuss and groom and take out on light hacks or maybe have a couple of lessons on. But I feel like i don't know anything at all. I suppose my questions are, what do I need to know to allow someone to trust me to share their horse? And any tips for getting to this stage? I'm particularly interested to hear from those who share and those who have sharers for their horse. Sorry for the essay! Thank you

 

[HashRouge]

I wouldn't assume you have nothing to offer a share - often commitment and reliability are the most important things and it sound like you'd be able to offer both of those! It sounds like you've some experience of mucking out/ handling? I'd start keeping an eye out for shares and responding to any that seem suitable. Owners looking for a sharer don't always mind if you aren't super experienced because they can train you up and you doing things their way

 

[ArklePig]

Thank you so much for your reply I really appreciate it! I've drafted up a little wanted ad but it's actually not little at all it's like an essay (kinda reminds me of the letter from Jane and Michael Banks looking for Mary Poppins lol). Would you mind telling me if I've a) waffled on too much or b) sound sane ? I just really don't want to overstate my ability or waste anyone's time!

*******************
*wanted*

Share, 2 or 3 days a week. Ideally within 30 minutes of Belfast.

About Me:

● Adult who has returned to riding over the last 18 months after riding as a child
●Confident but novice .
●5 '6 and 72 kg
●I don't have loads of experience but sensible, calm, eager to learn.
● Good with horses on the ground and confident and kind handling them.
● Willing to do any yard duties you may need.
●Don't have tonnes of experience but willing to learn anything that you need in relation to grooming/yard work etc and do things your way.
●Committed and reliable
This would be my first share

About the horse:
●A novice ride-safe
●Preferably around 15h but don't mind up to 17h for a nice friendly and sane horse.
●Preferably enjoys a fuss/being groomed/has good ground manners
●Hacks alone and in company.
●Age/gender/colour unimportant.
●Suitable for me to have some lessons on and do some light hacking
● Preferably kept on a yard where I could have a couple of lessons but don't mind if not-am content with just some light hacks or getting a free lance instructor the odd time if facilities allow.

What I don't have in experience I have in willingness and commitment as I am just wanting to spend more time with horses and improve my skills in both riding and providing care. I promise I'll love your horse as if it was my own. Please PM me if you think your horse is suitable, thank you.


Do I sound like a horse obsessed nutter who you'd never let your horse near? ??

 

[Somewhat Off The Way]

Perhaps I was lucky, but with my share pony all I had to do was show commitment and willingness to learn. I got up at 7 every Saturday and Sunday for a few months so that I could learn the pony's care regime, poo pick and ride. The owner taught me everything from picking out feet, to tacking up to giving food and medication. The owner also cycled out with me while I hacked out. Once I was competent I was left to it and looking after the pony and riding became my responsibility. Eventually I bought him!
So, I guess every situation is different but there are some owners out there who are happy to spend time and share knowledge so they get peace of mind that their horse has the best care.
Originally I had only wanted a share but the owner's circumstances changed so I was given first opportunity to buy him.
If you are reliable, trustworthy and also try your best then I'm sure you'll find someone who needs a sharer. I will say, you must do everything the owner asks (unless it's a welfare issue) with regards to care regime. Even if you'd do it differently, at the end of the day it's their horse.

 

[EllenJay]

Wished you lived nearer to me - you would be perfect for my boy

 

[ArklePig]

Thank you both! I definitely take on board what Someone said regarding doing everything to the owners specifications. I absolutely would if someone trusted their horse with me. Ellen if you ever move to Belfast send me a message ?

 

[silverunicorn]

I was less experienced than that when I had my previous share, but I made it clear to the owner I would have support from someone more knowledgable and she was fine with it.

 

[ArklePig]

I think that's what scares me silverunicorn- I don't have any horsey friends at all. My partner even has the audacity to be allergic to them ?

 

[silverunicorn]

Just take an instructor until you’re sure you click with the horse and you’re feeling more certain Haha, that’s annoying, but at least he won’t get in the way X

 

[smolmaus]

Seeing as you're in NI, I'm going to plug coming up to Crosskennan for some volunteering to find some horsey pals AND get some yard experience ? none of the ponies are suitable for riding atm but you can fuss and groom till your heart's content! I have learned so much in the 9 months I've been going and met some very good people.

To answer your actual question: Have you asked your instructor if she knows anyone on the yard who might want the help? The RS I go to also part-loan a good few of their school ponies to pupils which could be an option if you ask (and what I'm considering doing myself whenever this CV mess clears up).

 

[ArklePig]

Hey Smolmaus!

I've just checked Crosskennan and sadly they're not taking any new volunteers at the minute with Covid! Hopefully soon would love to do something like that! So I'm exceedingly jealous you get to do that lol! I'm currently doing 1 2 1 lessons so I will ask my instructor tonight if he knows of any part loans or if they share school horses to get myself started. Can I ask where you go? Feel free to ignore the question if too outing ?

 

[smolmaus]

Hey Smolmaus!

I've just checked Crosskennan and sadly they're not taking any new volunteers at the minute with Covid! Hopefully soon would love to do something like that! So I'm exceedingly jealous you get to do that lol! I'm currently doing 1 2 1 lessons so I will ask my instructor tonight if he knows of any part loans or if they share school horses to get myself started. Can I ask where you go? Feel free to ignore the question if too outing ?

Oh boo, we did a training session a few weeks ago so I thought we were accepting people again, must have changed again since the most recent lockdown. Sorry! Do check back if it sounds like something you'd enjoy tho, we do need the help!

I'm going to Lusks atm! My old school I went to as a kid did the same with some ponies but I don't know if everywhere does.

(Even if that is too outing, I'd be an incredibly boring person to try and stalk ? watch me watch Taskmaster for 3 hours a day? Sure, if you want lol)

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks for that! I might send an email and ask if they can stick me on some sort of list for when it opens up again. I'm from the South originally so the horsey world up here is new to me (been up North about 4 years). I actually went to lusks previously, but have started trying somewhere new since lockdown as the hours I could do were more accessible in the new place. I wonder if we've crossed paths--you'll know me if we have, the southerner who is obsessed with Penny! (give her a scratch for me please )

 

[smolmaus]

Thanks for that! I might send an email and ask if they can stick me on some sort of list for when it opens up again. I'm from the South originally so the horsey world up here is new to me (been up North about 4 years). I actually went to lusks previously, but have started trying somewhere new since lockdown as the hours I could do were more accessible in the new place. I wonder if we've crossed paths--you'll know me if we have, the southerner who is obsessed with Penny! (give her a scratch for me please )

I'm also in love with Penny!! ? Who isn't, she's a fabulous girl <3 I will of course give scratches (sadly not kisses as it's not safe) from you when I see her.

I've only been going since June when things started to open up again so probably not crossed paths, I was at Birr House (also a great yard) before but moved house and it's a bit too far out to make a lesson after work now. Be funny if we had swapped lol

I think there is a list? But if I remember I'll shoot you a PM when I hear about us accepting people again. Hopefully we are allowed to soon as I suspect we are going to see a drop off in numbers when things start to get properly chilly!

 

[mossycup]

Oh good luck in finding something - you sound lovely and keen to learn, and lots of people will be looking for someone to hack/lightly school/lavish love on their ponies while they can't because of work etc. I got a share about a year after I came back to riding after a 15 year break - 2 days a week and it was fine and absolutely gave me the confidence to do stuff on my own again away from the riding school, but ultimately the horse wasn't for me so stopping my share tied in with the first lockdown when I wouldn't have been able to see the horse anyway. Now I share an amazing horse 3 times a week and while eventually I would like to get my own, I'm counting my lucky stars to have been allowed to share him - he's lots of fun

 

[Winters100]

You have a good attitude and if I was looking for a sharer I would be glad to have someone like you. Better someone who recognises themself as inexperienced and is willing to learn than someone who thinks that they know it all.

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks so much for your feedback everyone, you've given me the confidence to just start looking for one. Have asked instructor to keep an eye/ear out as I'd like a share in the livery attached to my riding school as I'm making good progress with the instructor. Hopefully someone comes up soon ?