Is this cheeky to ask?

Fools Motto

Fools Motto

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 June 2011
Messages
6,600
Visit site
Found a sharer :D Sharer is going to help pay for the shoes. She will ride twice a week. (more if she wants - I'm flexible!!) I've also asked her to help poo pick when the field is in 'very small mode' - harrow the rest otherwise. I'm not expecting the entire paddock to be clean, as I have to do my side of things for the pony.

Now, when she rides, I either join in on the pony - which is lovely, we did a trial run earlier, which was such fun but have to take things slowly as pony is still very young. OR, if I'm busy and can't get there, she'll have to lead the pony. Is that too cheeky/too much of an ask?? I know she is more than capable of riding/leading, but IF she wants to have fun and have a canter or pop over the logs in the wood then it would be impossible. I only ask this as pony isn't yet used to being on her own, and although can be stabled with the grille up, I feel a bit mean as it has gone from being in company ALL the time to being on her own.. yet I know that 1-2 hrs won't kill her!!

Thoughts?
 
Depends if pony would behave being led and if rider is happy to. Personally I wouldn't fancy leading as well as riding a horse I didn't know very well even as an experienced rider.
 
I think if it was a few times a month, i'd be fine with it...but if I never got a chance to ride out on my own without pony trailing behind it would be abit frustrating. If the share was free, i'd be more than happy to lead pony from horse, poo pick and everything...but seeing as she's paying for it, I think it would be abit unfair to ask her to lead the pony on every ride she goes on.
 
It doesn't sound like much fun to me:o

I wouldn't want to be tied to a share that meant leading regularly. Turns a fun time into a more risky exercise only session.
 
I would mention it to her in a clearly no pressure way. If she's perfectly happy to, then great. If not, then great.

I could more understand if she said no, not just from the perspective of wanting a canter, but if she needs to get off for anything (open a gate etc) then she'll presumably have a harder time getting back on!

If your only reason for asking her is so your pony isn't on her own...what happens when one day, for whatever reason, she has to be on her own? In which case, I don't think it's a very healthy idea. Much better to acclimatise her to being on her own for an hour or two, so if for whatever reason she is on her own for longer, she won't completely panic.
 
If you can build up the time the pony will be left on its own, it would be good training. I don't think you can ask the sharer to be reponsible for the pony on every ride, especially if she is paying for the privilege.
 
I would not enjoy that if I was the sharer, I'd want to ride and have fun not be worrying about a lead pony the whole time.
 
Also think that seeing as you'd probably have realised that the pony would need to be lead when your other horse found a sharer, you should have mentioned it before agreeing on the share. Although it may not seem like a big deal, if she doesn't want to lead and you're not willing to have pony by herself, it's kind of a deal breaker even after you've agreed the share.
 
Really my fault for not cracking on with the 'being on your own' training. Started last summer, where we made a grille as she tried to jump out if mare left her. Been out all winter, and haven't mastered it yet. I suppose it won't hurt her to do a few laps of the stable and call for a bit?

Should also add, that I wasn't actively looking for a sharer, it kinda just landed in my lap today!
 
On your days with the horse, i'd work on leaving the pony on her own for increasing amounts of time - as it isn't really fair for your sharer to have to do this. Then on your sharer's days, try and find time to ride with her? I don't imagine it would take the pony too long to get used to being alone for an hour or so. Maybe get her some stable toys so she's distracted when horsey is out on her rides?
 
Tbh if I was paying for a share (and poo picking fields) I would want to be able to do whatever I wanted when I rode (within reason of course) If I wanted to have a canter and jump then I wouldn't be happy about having to lead another pony and not being able to. It also makes everything more difficult and risky, I will only ride and lead if I have absolutly no other option and its a case of emergency as I don't feel at all confident/happy doing it.

Could you perhaps not charge for the days she has to ride and lead?

Its asking quite a lot TBH but you never know she might be happy to do it. I would be careful when asking though as she may feel she can't say no and not bother with the share at all.
 
Get a proper grille and a stable and leave pony to it with some hay. Have had to that with youngsters, it sounds cruel but they have to learn. Start bringing them in just to feed and then extend the time.

Riding and leading can be great but also a pain. You have to consider what would you do if your horse was suddenly put on box rest?
 
My other thought is what is going to happen if something happens when your sharer rides out and leaves pony on its own?
 
I think, for the first few times, I'll make a damn good effort and go out with her, to show her the routes we go. Then I'll give her a few lessons (she has requested and I've agreed) in the field - leaving pony locked in, but obviously will be about to rescue if drama arises. Then, I'll just have to get sharer to shut her in, and let her get on with it. She isn't a self harming sort, just a naughty minx, and I'm almost sure after a few months of that, all will be ok.... I just need to grow a pair and do it!!
 
That sounds like a good plan of action FM - it's a bit unfair asking her to ride and lead all the time plus it's good training for pony to learn to be on her own when she needs to be :-)
 
ester said:
I think it's a big ask tbh.
Click to expand...

So do I, as sharer I would not want to be responsible for educating a young pony while enjoying riding........ Plus the pony may benefit from a couple of hours on it's own, you don't really want a pony that can't stay on it's own.
 
Put the youngster in the stable, don't let her see the mare going away. What would you think if there was an accident while she was riding and leading. Don't do it, the youngster has to learn anyway.
 
Yes take the plunge and try to teach the pony it is ok to be left. We had to do that with my youngster. They do catch on eventually. Good luck!
 
Your plan sounds good OP. This sharer is a great time to teach the pony to be alone - the other horse can gradually go away with the sharer, and you can be around while pony gets used to it..
 
Can you try and be around t.e first couple of times the youngster is left on her own, that way you will have peace of mind that you can be there for her if she does panic, rather than the responsibility falling on the sharers shoulders. I think its a good time for the two of them to become independent of each other, otherwise you could end up with two that won't be parted.
 
I wouldnt want to ride and lead every time out, what a yoke to have round your neck to never hack out on your own, poo pick and to pay for the privelege, not a great deal for the sharer tbh id be looking elsewhere i think
 
If you start training now for 5 minutes at a time in a no pressure and fun kind of way there'll be no need to go from 24/7 company to an hour shut in a stake without company or supervision. Make the pony's time without company thoroughly enjoyable - perhaps a nice feed, or a likkit stable toy etc. It would also be a good time to start introducing the youngster to in hand walks by themself, or schooling in the field. Get your sharer to start going out for 10 minutes while you are around them build it up, pony will soon be happy by himself in no time at all. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top