Maybe I'm a cynic but...

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Elvis

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I've just seen an advert on Facebook, it went something like this;

Fantastic opportunity for someone experienced, I have a very green horse who needs bringing on, he only works for 10 mins before napping, bucking, kicking etc and is nervous out hacking. I need someone very capable and experienced to hack him out and work on him in the school. Fantastic chance for someone who wants to work on a youngster. No financial contribution needed!


Is it just me or does this smack a bit of someone wanting free schooling? I understand that there may be people out there wanting to work with challenging horses but to me this person is basically asking for a very experienced, capable and brave person to sort out their youngster, something which you'd usually have to pay someone for. But then maybe I'm not being fair...
 
I think its an honest advert. Sounds like someone is having problems with their horse and thinks a more experienced rider may do ok with it. A lot of nappy horses are nappy as the owners are nervous, I wouldn't be too wary of a horse like this, and if I didn't have a horse of my own and wanted to ride, this deal may well suit me.. Yes you may usually have to pay someone, but if you don't have the money, its worth asking if anyone experienced around who is stuck for something to ride fancies riding it.
 
This TOTALLY backs up my theory of there being an EXTREMELY thin line between a sharer paying to ride a horse and an owner paying someone to ride their horse. Have always thought it but never seen it written down so well.
Still, I can see both sides!!
 
From my point of view as someone looking for a horse to ride I'd ask them if it was just to sort out the napping and get the horse schooled up or if there was any long term opportunities.
I am going to see an unbacked horse at the weekend however it will be written in the contract that I am offered long term riding and competing.
You just have to ask the right questions I think
 
Allow me to reword the advert.

Wanted, Crash test dummy with no responsibilities to ride my horse that has scared me witless and has never been suitable for my level of experience and confidence.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Allow me to reword the advert.

Wanted, Crash test dummy with no responsibilities to ride my horse that has scared me witless and has never been suitable for my level of experience and confidence.
Click to expand...

This did cross my mind... She also mentioned how out hacking she would ride her other settled horse whilst the sharer would ride the green one. Why wouldn't you ask someone to ride your sensible horse whilst you dealt with the green youngster...
 
Elvis said:
Wow, I thought it was funny enough this lady had even commented that no financial contribution was expected!
Click to expand...

I'd said to someone that it sounded off and I was accused of looking for a free ride! I'll pay to ride something that I'm not having to start from scratch, but if you want it schooling you can pay me!!
 
Elvis said:
This did cross my mind... She also mentioned how out hacking she would ride her other settled horse whilst the sharer would ride the green one. Why wouldn't you ask someone to ride your sensible horse whilst you dealt with the green youngster...
Click to expand...

It might be green horse has now knocked her confidence and she wants to get it back on other horse. I can see both sides to it when I didn't have a horse I might have jumped at the chance of a challenge. Whereas a now owner who has been scared by her horse (who wasnt that bad just scared me a couple of times) I sorted of needed to see someone else riding her well to make me ok about her again

It could be the horse was great and she has allowed it to get naughty and a good rider will be able to sort it out and have great fun with it
 
We have a brilliant rider, who schools our happy hackers because they have the potential to compete, one is a 3 yr old given a fright by a novice rider and prone to bucking, work allowing, we take our rider to shows, pleasure rides etc, as a thank you for what she does, win win situation
 
webble said:
It might be green horse has now knocked her confidence and she wants to get it back on other horse. I can see both sides to it when I didn't have a horse I might have jumped at the chance of a challenge. Whereas a now owner who has been scared by her horse (who wasnt that bad just scared me a couple of times) I sorted of needed to see someone else riding her well to make me ok about her again

It could be the horse was great and she has allowed it to get naughty and a good rider will be able to sort it out and have great fun with it
Click to expand...

Actually that's the situation I took on with a share recently. Horse is fine but her nerves were affecting him. We hack out together and that's been ok and but I do feel like I'm paying to nanny her and get the horse used to traffic. Not doing much for my riding though as she wont agree to me schooling him or having lessons on him so it'll be ending soon. It's a shame really because the horse is very good with me but there's only so much walking around the block I can endure :( there was a similar advert on FB recently and I sent the girl a message. She'd taken on a horse but then lost her nerve as he had mounting issues; not standing and running off when she got on and 'green' out hacking. There were no takers so she's now advertised him for sale.
 
Elvis said:
This did cross my mind... She also mentioned how out hacking she would ride her other settled horse whilst the sharer would ride the green one. Why wouldn't you ask someone to ride your sensible horse whilst you dealt with the green youngster...
Click to expand...

I love the above made me laugh x

The trouble is you get all sorts having horses some who haven't really got a clue & haven't really thought about the financial commitment - we met someone the other day trying to get a horse to canter along a track by kicking & then kicking harder & harder - no hat & no clue - & then the horse is blamed :( I suppose there has always been people like this everywhere but I am seeing more pople like it at the moment x

Sorry I'm having a moment meant to use oute below


Originally Posted by AdorableAlice
Allow me to reword the advert.

Wanted, Crash test dummy with no responsibilities to ride my horse that has scared me witless and has never been suitable for my level of experience and confidence.
 
Last edited:
Unless she's very careful, she could end up with a youngster who has graduated to riding the more forward going horses at her local RS in lessons and now naively thinks she can handle anything.
If the owner is having issues, she should get professional help rather than risking the neck of someone who is misguided.
 
On the flip side, I have two horses, mine is a fizz bomb that has done BE and BS, lovely ride but on her toes all the time, hubby's is laid back and placid. I have had two sharers for my horse that were experienced riders that had worked with horses then had a break, both loved riding my horse but were bored witless on the gelding.. I think I would be along those lines if I ever shared a horse.

Have you never watched someone on a yard with a nappy horse and thought that if you got on it it wouldn't be doing that, that it was just a nervous owner not giving it confidence? If it were rearing and throwing people off left right and centre I would agree, you shouldn't put other people on it, but a nappy horse is not dangerous IMO, or even a big deal.
 
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