looking for a sharer

[Firehorse]

i've advertised for a sharer for my pony as i'm struggling for money at the mo after a massive bill on my car cleaned out my savings. i've jst had a call from a 16 yr old girl who sounds promising. i know u cant tell till u meet them, but any tips would be appreciated.

i feel a bit funny about letting a stranger ride my pride and joy, but no one i know who rides wants to share becoz they hve their own!

she's gonna come over and have a ride in our paddock and see how they get on. i guess i'll know if i click with her or not. but it's scarey all the same. its all very well me being there to watch her a few times, but when she takes him out hacking on her own, she could get up to anything. i will be strict about rules, no galloping towards home for a start!

anyway, if u've got a sharer pls tell me how it felt to start with and how u kinda let go and learned to trust! many thx.

 

[Funkyfilly024]

My biggest tip is if your horse isnt suitable for kids or novices dont think 'il let them have a go anyway' ... they will work this out in a month anyway and you will be left looking for another sharer. Trust me !
And a lot you get will be straight of riding school horses, so may need some guidance in adjusting to the differences in riding a privatley owned horse as they are just totally different in many cases.

Trust your instincts, if they seem a bit dodgy or not right dont let them. I would also be vary of those over confident for the first time on a horse they dont know, anyone who thinks they are getting on mine with a whip, booting him and 'show him whos boss' gets shown the door quite frankly. Im not soft on him but that should be the type of thing they should work out with you over time what behaviour is bad and how it should be delt with.

Get it right and its fab - holiday cover, contribution to costs and a possible future loan/permenant home and owner thats been pre checked !
Oh..get them to get rider insurance.

 

[Firehorse]

thx, was gonna say rider insurance. altho my horse's insurance covers whoever rides and handles him with my permission. this girl is 16 and has been exercising eventers. i know that's true as there are two 16 yr olds on my yard who know her from school. could work out well, as she'd ride out with them, which are my horse's best friends. so fingers crossed x

 

[Firehorse]

well the girl came today and i think she's gonna be fine! she'd been riding a 17hh event horse for someone, so my little chap isnt gonna faze her! he's a bit ploddy in the school so she took him into the field for a gallop and she was fine. he gets all fired up and jogs all the way back down the hill and she didnt seem to care and took him round again. she's gonna start on wed, so we'll see what she thinks when she goes it alone without me watching. so fingers crossed! she's also keen to jump him, which is good as i'm not a jumper and my horse loves it. so they shud hve a lot of fun together