How to make myself more appealing as a part loaner

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peacheswillow

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Hello first time poster but long time reader, after some advice TIA.

Im feeling a little stuck and wondering how I can make myself a good candidate as a part loaner. Every single horse I see advertised for part loan is always NO NOVICES. I do totally understand these are your beloved animals and you don't want them loaned to anyone and RS horses are different to owned horses but how do I ever make the move from riding school rider to part loaner? It currently feels impossible!

For context, I'm a sensible, reliable and professional mid 40s woman. I had weekly lessons from the age of 4 until late teens and included in that period was all the usual weeks away on riding holidays, 'own your own pony' weeks every school holiday, hacking, beach rides, helping out at my RS for years. Big break from lessons as an adult due to career/moving around/life in general but still having the odd lesson and hacking/beach rides etc when time allowed or on holidays. Now back into lessons twice a week for the past year and help on a private yard with yard duties/grooming/feeding etc. I'm desperate for something to love as my own, but feel like I'm hitting a brick wall because I'm a novice and no one wants a novice but I will unfortunately always be a novice.

Any advice on what else I can do to make me a better candidate? Thanks for reading.
 
Ample Prosecco said:
If you've ridden reguarly at a riding school since you were a child I would not describe you as a novice who, to me, is just learning to ride really. One level up from a total beginner.
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That's interesting, thank you. The term novice does seem to mean different things to different people. I guess because I've never owned/loaned or had experience on non riding school horses or had any autonomy when riding, I've lumped myself into that category.
 
nagblagger said:
Could you do an honest advert about your experience and what you would be looking for, to love. Some people may be thinking of loaning but not advertised yet, as it is a big step for them.
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Thanks nagblagger. I have done this on various local Facebook loan pages but no joy yet unfortunately! I've been looking for a while and thought maybe this time of year more people would be needing help over winter but I've not had any luck yet.
 
Have you actually applied for any of the ones that say no novices? You sound as if you have enough experience to be a competent sharer. The fact that you have been helping on a yard with the yard duties, feeding etc would be a big plus as far as I'm concerned. That's equally as important as your riding abilities

ETA
Is it a full loan you are looking for where you are totally responsible for the horse or do you mean a share where you doing a couple of days a week for the owner?
 
You would be ideal as a sharer for one of my ponies and either would be perfect for you to gain more experience. My last sharer was a nice rider but had no stable management knowledge and had never been further than the school so over the 4 years she was with me we went to camp, on fun rides, had lessons and did riding club clinics/competitions. She only left to move to Wales which was very inconsiderate of her 🤣
 
This is really interesting and actually encouraging to hear, maybe I'm underselling myself.

@LeneHorse I've applied to a couple and they wanted more experience so between those and the ads that are strictly NO NOVICES and NO TIME WASTERS I think I've become a bit disheartened. I'm looking for part loan/share, I don't want to go off to Badminton, just something to love, light schooling and hacking. I'll continue with my lessons also.
 
Put up an ad on your local horse pages with a few videos of you riding and what you can offer - you sound like you would be a great sharer for lots of people and have a lot to offer! I do find that a lot of people with horses to share put 'No novices!' while looking like a novice themselves 😆
 
You don't sound like a novice at all - I echo the others, pop up an advert explaining what you're looking for, include a short video of you riding and make sure to say what you can offer in return - will you do yard chores, can you pay a regular fee, are you available during the week or can you only do weekends? Good luck! :)
 
It sounds like you are far more honest about your abilities than a lot who don't considered themselves novices.

Not sure what area you are in or what sort of time you can commit to can you do during the week as a lot of people struggle with week days in the winter? Also are you small enough/light enough to consider ponies as that also opens things up.
 
I would post a wanted advert, lots of people want sharers but cant be bothered by young kids bombarding them.
Put in an area eg 15 mins from....
Include a video of your riding so people can make there own minds up.
Novice can mean different things to different people so dont define yourself
 
Why not flip the coin and advertise yourself? I’d pop a post on the local horsey groups basically detailing everything you’ve said on here about your experience and what you’re looking for and let people decide if they think you’d be a good fit for their horse. You might even get more opportunities as people are often considering looking for a sharer but not prepared to advertise as they don’t want to be bombarded with unsuitable people.

Don’t let the ‘no novices’ statement put you off. It’s likely aimed at people who have had a handful of lessons and massively over-estimate their ability and have never actually had sole charge of handling a horse. You sound like a wonderful part-loaner - experienced, sensible and realistic about the sort of horse you’d like and I think plenty of people would bite your hand off!
 
Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. It has actually made me feel more positive and like maybe I've made myself sound more useless than I am. Ill put a new advert on being more specific about what I can offer and get some videos of me riding. I'll also maybe apply to some of the other ads id previously discounted.

Can't remember who ask what...
- I've checked local riding schools for part loans and my instructor said she will keep an eye out.
- I am more available during the week than at weekends so I will specify that as well thank you.
- I'm tall (175cm) and about 62kg so weight wise maybe ok but not sure if I'm a bit long for ponies?

Again thank you. I'm pleased I reached out for advice 😊
 
Whereabouts are you? someone on here might know someone?

I would see if your riding school will do horse handling / tacking up etc lessons.

I have part loaned several over the years. Most people who say they are experienced are not. Many who say they are novice are more than that.

My test was to just hand them a headcollar and see if they could catch (in stable) calm horse, tie him up sensibly, flick dust off with brush (not really dirty) and pick feet out.
Then the big part of the test - hand them a bridle and stand back.

I don't mind people who aren't perfect riders - indeed those that are willing to learn are much better than the crowd who already "know everything" but I haven't got time to pick out feet and tack up for you

Worry less about the riding side of it and see what you can do to practice the handling / care side - which is more of the day to day time.

Could you volunteer somewhere ? local charity , RDA that sort of thing to get more time with them unridden?
 
You sound like you'll be absolutely fine. I've had sharers before and currently, and the number of people who overstate their ability is extraordinary - it would be refreshing to meet someone who is modest and self aware enough to know their limitations. There are a number of good safe horses (especially the sort who are no longer competing at their highest level but could continue working) whose owners would be glad of a kind more low-key rider for them (including one lovely horse at my yard, in case you're in Oxfordshire!). I know I'm repeating what others have said, so just adding to the weight of opinion here - answer the ads or advertise yourself! Good luck.
 
I've wanted someone to do some riding on one of mine for ages, but hadn't dared to advertise on FB as I don't want the faff and rudeness when I have to tell people that they are not suitable. I have looked at riders advertising themselves but they seem to have videos of them tanking round jumping, and Rigs is older and I suspect not what they want.

I would not have wanted a novice, as I want someone to save me time, not someone to have to supervise. That said, I'm happy to show a person round and help a few times, but would expect them to be able to get the horse ready themselves after that. Rigs is great for an inexperienced rider, but needs someone who will make sure he responds correctly to requests as he is the type who will have a laugh if someone isn't paying attention.

I wanted someone who would commit and be reliable. I wasn't bothered about money but poo picking before riding will be welcome.

I reluctantly did put a post on FB, just my profile and my BF's and... found someone - friend of BF. She could ride but has not ridden in 30 years so is rusty. But she is cheerful and sensible, is strict with Rigs, and rocks her pink wellies for riding in LOL.

First ride was a simple walk out round the village. 2nd ride was the above with a short trot. 3rd ride was to a bridle way and a slightly longer trot, after which she ached somewhat! I am happy. I didn't need a competition rider or anything, just one who was planted in the saddle and would make wise choices.

I actually didn't know if Rigs would be attractive to people. He is in his 20s, is primarily retired and only rides out for some variety and enjoyment. In summer he does a blast in the stubble but is never ridden more than an hour and a half and it is mainly at walk. I don't really school him and would not want him to endure 'lessons' as he is past it!

FYI I would have responded to an advert similar to your write up of yourself, as long as you made clear that a hack out would be fab and you didn't expect to be running his legs off.

In your advert, I would also offer (if appropriate) to go to the owner's competition as horse holder/camera person. I think my rider would be too busy for that but BF isn't really interested in horsey days out and having a hand sometimes would have been a great attraction.
 
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For a long time I've tended to use the term "competent novice" to describe my riding, which seems to go down fairly well. I own my own horses but my riding is never going to be anything to write home about - I'm a safe, kind rider, but the only thing I'm particularly good at is hacking.

I would describe you as a competent adult novice with X years of experience in riding (in and out of an arena) and horse care. Anyone who isn't willing to entertain such a person as a sharer either really does have an unsuitable horse, or (IMO) has excessively high expectations of sharers!

I think you sound like you're doing yourself down unnecessarily. You're probably more competent than some (perhaps even many) horse owners.
 
I still describe myself as competent novice and I own two and am nearly 50! You probably ride better than I do and I'd certainly consider you if I were needing a sharer (particularly as you can do during the week!). I think your issue is the way you're classifying yourself. You might be novice in showjumping or dressage terms, but it doesn't sound like it for basic lateral schooling and handling etc.
 
Polos Mum said:
Then the big part of the test - hand them a bridle and stand back.
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Not always fair. I had shared and hacked solo for years before I learned to put on a bridle and that was only with my present share who takes the bit in her mouth and shows me how to do it.
My previous share was known to bite peope and was only to be bridled by staff. I did eventually bridle her myself, but that was after years of grooming her.
What most RS riders do learn to do is to twist the reins and secure them with the throat lash.
 
Skib said:
Not always fair.
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Possibly not - but the OP was asking what would make her more appealing and being able to competently tack up would do that.

Lots of owners are interesting in keeping their horses generally fit - basic hacking in walk mostly can do that, which doesn't require massive riding skill if the horse is generally saine.

Not that many owners want (reasonably expect) someone who can school and improve their horse - while paying for the privilege - so top level riding is less of a concern.

When I have shared out my horses it's been because I didn't have time. If I had to be there to tack up for someone every time, that would be a big no for me (and other owners who also lack time).

It's also a test of how people react to something unknown:

1) try and bluff / bull poop their way through while trying to look 'experienced' - not for me - horses throw all sorts of weird stuff at you and IMHO people need to be honest about what they know / don't know. I couldn't be there to supervise mine (no staff to tack up sadly!)
OR
2) honestly explain that they have no idea but willing to give it a go with some guidance - perfect for me, not someone who is not going to try and do too much and hide it when that goes wrong.
OR
3) angrily state that for £10 a ride they expect the horse groomed and tacked up each time (did actually happen once!) - saved both of us the time of a test ride !
 
Skib said:
Not always fair. I had shared and hacked solo for years before I learned to put on a bridle and that was only with my present share who takes the bit in her mouth and shows me how to do it.
My previous share was known to bite peope and was only to be bridled by staff. I did eventually bridle her myself, but that was after years of grooming her.
What most RS riders do learn to do is to twist the reins and secure them with the throat lash.
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I'm another one who would rather have an open-minded sharer who is willing to learn rather than someone who thinks they know it all. I've owned my own horses for 30+ years and had a few sharp/quirky ones along the way, I'm certainly no pro but I'd say I'm reasonably competent in handling most horses. I can tack my own horses up with my eyes closed while they are dancing and spinning on the lorry, but hand me someone else's horse and tack and I might look a bit puzzled for a few moments while I work out what you're using and what needs to go in what order 😅 I've ridden friends horses for them and stood in the stable for a good 10 minutes staring at a set of boots they want me to use from a brand I haven't used before trying to work out which way up they are supposed to go :oops:😁

Plus every horse is different and ever owner has their own way of doing things - I'd always prefer to walk a new loaner through how "I" tack up and how my horse likes things done anyway.
 
I agree with others that you are what a lot of people are looking for but they will be understandably cautious. I'd put yourself about as much as possible so people can meet you in person. Go to the riding club meetings, talk to staff at the tack shop, the farrier, the vet. Keep reminding your instructor that you're still looking.
 
I like the term 'competent novice', I shall pinch that!

I completely understand the hesitation in posting on Facebook about your horse. It must invite a ton of messages you have to sort through, including loads that are completely inappropriate. @Glitter is Fun word of mouth and getting out and about it maybe a very good idea rather than FB.

@Red-1 Rigs sounds like a little dream to me. Exactly what I'd be looking for. I'm pleased you found someone suitable for him.
 
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