How to pick a sharer?

[WeeBrown]

I have now decided that I definitely want a sharer for my cob.
I would like a sharer to do a few days during the week - possibly 2-3 days - and the Saturday at weekends (although this might need to change to Sunday occasionally if I wanted to compete him on the Saturday). I'm not too fussed about money side, help with stable chores/poo picking would be more helpful and I could offer lifts to events etc if they were coming to the same place as me.
I did have a sort of sharer towards the end of last year but they seemed to want to loan not share and it got a bit confusing and they now loan someone else's. I never advertised then, they just approached me so where do I advertise for such a person so that I don't get undesirables. Could anyone who has done this before give me some idea what to write in an advert? Also how to you go about deciding who is 'the chosen one', could I consider it to be a bit like an interview? Can you tell I'm rubbish at this?! I'm not a confrontational person so I need to get the person as right as possible upfront.

 

[ngrace]

i would advertise at local tack shops, local pc/rc websites, local riding schools and livery yards etc but mainly word of mouth! call instructors you know etc. in the ad i would write a short description of what you are looking for in a sharer (big title 'offered for share' or something..), and a short paragraph about the horse. talk to people on the phone and be thorough and upfront about agreeing chores/days/costs/what they are allowed to do etc before them come to meet you so as not to waste time.
probably pointless advertising on big websites because you would need someone local!
thats what i was looking for when i was searching for a horse to share anyway!
good luck x

 

[Twizzel]

I found my current horses' owners on preloved... best advert I ever answered!! As for finding the best person, if you have someone interested exchange a few emails asking about riding abilitly, experience in caring for a horse, experience with health/illness problems. If they sound ok ask them to come for a ride, and take it from there, it's normally quite obvious if they are a nutter/can't ride for toffee etc etc

If it goes ok then have them back for another ride but let them tack up and handle the horse more, and just see how they react around the horse and how your horse takes to them.

 

[Tickles]

I'm a sharer found through a big website (Horsemart actually although NewRider seems to filter by area more easily) and the other sharer (owner can't ride atm) I found for us through word of mouth via chatting with others at the yard.

It *is* sort of like an interview but bear in mind, especially if you're asking for money or chores etc, that they will be interviewing both you, your horse and the yard too!

The ad should say relevent things about your cob but also mention facilities at the yard and the sort of arrangement you want because unlike loaning or buyign sharing needs to be good on those fronts too.

It is courteous to offer to show the horse being ridden before they get on. We had one meet like that and then I had a lesson on him (w owner at yard but not watching!) so someone independent could look and I could get a more relaxed trial too.

Good luck!

 

[kylie88]

I finally found a sharer (fingers crossed) but she is the 3rd person. The other 2 wernt suitable. Be prepared for people not to be as good as they think they are so make sure you know what type of person you want. On first visit I would def make them catch, groom, tack up themselves and then do a trial period.

Good luck is great when you find the right person but its not always easy.

 

[Booboos]

As others have said, local adverts are more useful.

Try to write a very clear advert stating what you need and what you are offering in exchange but you may find you have to repeat everything over the phone again! For example, you might say approximately where the yard is at, but get phone calls from people 50 miles away! Or say which days you need the person to ride and get calls from people who can only ride on a Sunday!

If you go over the details on the phone, you should be able to 'weed out' the entirely unreasonable. Also if you ask the potential sharers to tell you their horsey background, you might be able to 'weed out' the entirely inexperienced.

Hopefully you will have one or two people left after that. Arrange for them to come meet your horse and ask to see them catch, bring in, tack up etc. Show them the horse ridden and if all is well, see if they want to ride. If all goes well offer them 2 weeks trial during which time you may want to arrange to be around a bit, partly to keep an eye on things and partly to show them how things are done.

 

[WeeBrown]

Thanks, these have all been really helpful. I'd be up pretty much all the time that they'd be there except the Saturday as I have another horse too - I just don't have the time to ride both every day and the cob needs work everday to keep his weight down. He's very sensible just not for a complete beginner.