How to phrase an "ad" to find a sharer?

[Abi90]

I'm thinking of finding a sharer for my boy. I don't need it financially, although would help as I'm getting married next year, but I often find I struggle to get up in the week (which is fine as he's on full livery) and sometimes he only gets ridden on weekends, and when I'm on courses with work he just sits in the field.

I'm sure he doesn't care but I feel he could come on so much quicker if I could find a nice rider who he would get along with and could give someone enjoyment as well as me.

I don't know where to start to "advertise" him. He's not for sale but I imagine it needs to be similar to a sales advert? Are people fussy about conformation photos for share horses? Or would some "action" photos suffice?

Are local Facebook groups a good place to search?

I have a copy of a share contract from another livery that is worded well, and any sharer would need BHS Gold insurance and to sign the livery agreement to cover insurance.

Anyone with any experience with advice would be appreciated.

 

[shadeofshyness]

I've been a sharer for years and have always found horses through Preloved. Facebook groups are all well and good but the posts get lost so quickly if the group is busy. Local horse forums are also handy.

My one top tip is to put the precise location in the advert title - my bugbear whenever I've been searching over the years has been adverts that just say 'Manchester' rather than the exact town/yard, so you get hopeful and find out it's an hour away! The best are ones with a postcode in so you can google see how long it'd take to get there.

Best of luck.

 

[Abi90]

Thanks! I never thought about putting a post code in but that absolutely would be useful!

 

[Mongoose11]

Just something to note as I have found it out recently, BHS rider insurance is invalid if the share is paid for. If the sharer is paying then they should get rider insurance through one of the usual horse insurance companies.

 

[Abi90]

Just something to note as I have found it out recently, BHS rider insurance is invalid if the share is paid for. If the sharer is paying then they should get rider insurance through one of the usual horse insurance companies.

That's interesting and useful to know! Why is that? If you know.

 

[Shay]

I would imagine to avoid a pro rider using the excuse of a "share" to get cheaper insurance covering a profession.

The easiest thing to do is be completely precise about what you are looking for. You will get a lot of kids replying - you always do. Only ever talk to the adult. If you don't want an under 16 or under 18 say so up front. If you are OK with kids make sure the Adult knows what is required. (And signs the contract!)

What it sounds like you are looking for is someone to bring on your horse with you. The horse certainly doesn't care about being ridden or not. So if you are looking for a particular type of schooling or activity - say so.

I have sharers for my daughter's old PC Competition pony who has a home for life. I've been through the pay / don't pay thing and over time I have come to the conclusion that actually if you do make them pay they will be more committed. (Or in my case the parents will!) Free rides get taken advantage of. Petplan rider insurance is designed for sharers (I didn't even know BHS did rider only insurance!). PC insurance covers sharers too -paid for or not.

I also don't advertise on preloved or facebook - sorry! That said I haven't had to advertise him in 2 or 3 years as we have a waiting list. But when I did I found I got a more committed response with fewer time wasters from HorseQuest and the PC website.

 

[Myloubylou]

Weekday shares aren't very popular as most people want at least weekend day. I too find that people who pay are more committed, have had people stop share at moments notice which hasn't been too much of hardship as on part livery but is bit rude. Preloved is good as gives you accurate location.

 

[PaddyMonty]

As horse is on full livery you may want to advertise for a rider rather than a sharer. This is what the owner of my current horse did. Yes she got a lot of teenagers responding despite being very specific about wanting the horse brought on an competed with aim to event.
As for financial contribution I would use the phrase "contribution to be discussed dependent on experience". This then doesn't rule out the experienced rider who perhaps would want to pay to develop someones horse.
Preloved, equine adverts, local tack shops are all places I have found horses. Word of mouth also a good source.

 

[jemstar]

Just something to note as I have found it out recently, BHS rider insurance is invalid if the share is paid for. If the sharer is paying then they should get rider insurance through one of the usual horse insurance companies.

That's interesting! I had BHS gold membership and needed to make a claim a few years ago. (The horse I was sharing damaged a car). BHS wanted me to claim on the owners insurance, when that wasn't an option they wanted me to claim on my household insurance. It was so time consuming and stressful I ended up paying for the car to be fixed. They made it extremely difficult to make a claim.

 

[Umbongo]

I usually share as cannot afford to loan or buy.

I would agree to give a location. I don't enjoy enquiring and getting my hopes up only to find that the horse is in fact located on the other side of the county and would take me forever to get there.

Photos: a couple of ridden photos are normally fine. I don't worry to much about the types of photos, I'm not buying the horse.
Put what days you want the rider to do, or are you happy with a more changeable rota? Would there be a weekend day available? Would you expect the sharer to do any yard jobs? And if so do they need to be around at both ends of the day?
Obviously a bit about the horse, and what sort of facilities the yard has. Is there anything the sharer can or can't do, for example would the horse need to hack with others, or would you rather the sharer not jump?

If you are not too fussed regarding financial contribution, I would agree with putting "contribution to be discussed dependent on experience". I am an experienced rider, but would not want to pay ridiculous amounts to help bring on someones green or naughty pony for example.

I don't agree that those who pay are more reliable, but then I have always been the sharer and not the owner so can only give my perspective. I have never paid for a share, but still turn up to do the horse. Weather not an issue and have turned up even if I can't ride due to personal injury or horse injury.

I tend to look for horses on preloved, equine adverts and local facebook pages.

Out of interest where are you? I am in North London and looking for a nice share horse.

 

[Lexi_]

Just a quick tip as I think everything else has been covered - depending on location and terminology, your potential sharers might not be searching for the same terms as you're using. The ad of the horse I ended up sharing was listed as part loan, not share.

 

[Annagain]

I've had several sharers over the years. I only found one of them through an advert. All the others were through word of mouth (including the latest one who does yoga with my non-horsey mum!) so while adverts are great, don't forget to tell everyone you know that you're looking for a sharer!

 

[pixie27]

Ditto annagain.

My YO always knows of good people looking for shares, so definitely worth asking your YM/YO and other liveries.

Good luck!

 

[Abi90]

I usually share as cannot afford to loan or buy.

I would agree to give a location. I don't enjoy enquiring and getting my hopes up only to find that the horse is in fact located on the other side of the county and would take me forever to get there.

Photos: a couple of ridden photos are normally fine. I don't worry to much about the types of photos, I'm not buying the horse.
Put what days you want the rider to do, or are you happy with a more changeable rota? Would there be a weekend day available? Would you expect the sharer to do any yard jobs? And if so do they need to be around at both ends of the day?
Obviously a bit about the horse, and what sort of facilities the yard has. Is there anything the sharer can or can't do, for example would the horse need to hack with others, or would you rather the sharer not jump?

If you are not too fussed regarding financial contribution, I would agree with putting "contribution to be discussed dependent on experience". I am an experienced rider, but would not want to pay ridiculous amounts to help bring on someones green or naughty pony for example.

I don't agree that those who pay are more reliable, but then I have always been the sharer and not the owner so can only give my perspective. I have never paid for a share, but still turn up to do the horse. Weather not an issue and have turned up even if I can't ride due to personal injury or horse injury.

I tend to look for horses on preloved, equine adverts and local facebook pages.

Out of interest where are you? I am in North London and looking for a nice share horse.

Thanks for your response. I'm on Northumberland so a bit of a commute for you!

 

[Abi90]

Thanks for all your advice. I have taken it on board and put together a lengthy and specific advert

 

[merlo89]

If you don't want just anybody join a few horsey groups on fb and keep an eye out for people looking for shares/part loan. It means you can decide whether you want to interact and can guarantee it is somebody you like.

I found the horse I ride for the owner by advertising on fb and her privately messaging me, had a lot of people who were a few hours away from where I stated I was, so expect that.

When letting them try your horse, just let them ride the first time, then if they are suitable to ride, allow them a second go but show them what to do the second time, and don't expect it to be instant!

Hope this helps, good luck.