Meeting a Potential Share Horse

[Orainn]

I posted earlier this year about how to get ready for horse ownership (here). A strong theme in the advice was to try sharing first, so that's what I've been planning for. It's taken a while to find something that might be suitable, but I'm meeting my first potential share horse and the owner this weekend.

Now, I've never done this before, so not really sure what to expect. Hence the request for more advice!

I've been thinking about what everyone will want to get out of this:
Me: Figure out whether the horse and I are suited to each other, whether I could work well with the owner and yard etc.
Owner: Whether she would trust me with her horse!

But what exactly should I be looking out for? I thought that I would initially watch the owner ride, then (assuming horse is not crazy), get on myself. Should I just aim for w/t/c around the school? I think the horse is relatively green (which is OK - the main thing I want out of this is hands-on experience, not worldwide competitive success).

And list of things to ask....
What could I do with the horse (riding wise)?
Is hacking solo OK?
What would be the care/chore duties?
Figuring out potential days, times etc
Financial arrangements.

Is it normal to agree to a trial period? Say, a month?

One final thing (honest!) - this horse is on a private yard which seems OK, but I wouldn't be able to have my lessons there (not with current instructor anyway, who is based at local RS). I definitely want to keep up with my lessons, would it be weird to share a horse but have weekly lessons on a different, RS, horse?

Thanks in advance

 

[epeters91]

I think you really need to try and find an instructor that could teach you on your horse, ask the owner she may be able to suggest someone that she knows or someone who gives lessons locally. It will reflect well on you that your showing you want to learn with her horse too

Things to ask:
What can you do with the horse riding and ground work.
Is Hacking solo ok?
What would be the care/chore duties?
Figuring out potential days, times etc
Financial arrangements.
Does the horse have any bad habbits?
Is there anything the horse particularly doesn't like or has problems with?
Is the horse fully insured? (Make sure you are insured as a rider)

Ask about a trial period I'm sure the owner will want to make sure your happy with the horse and the horse is happy with you. Definitely watch the owner ride first, ask if you can bring the horse in from the field and tack up so you can see how they behave and that you will be confident to handle them alone. Also ask if anyone else will be around on the yard while your getting used to the horse incase you need help or advice

Best of luck!

 

[9tails]

Your list is strong, you've done your homework.

For the meeting, DON'T BE LATE! Ensure you turn up on the day you say you will, if you are ill or otherwise incapacitated, let the owner know as soon as possible. Seriously, the horse world is absolutely chock full of flaky people that I wouldn't trust a hamster with.

I don't think it's weird at all to have lessons elsewhere, but bear in mind that if the private yard doesn't have a school and the horse is green (as are you) the horse may just be a bit too much for you for solo hacking. Don't feel obligated to agree to this loan if the horse isn't right, you really don't want to lose your confidence at this stage.

 

[McFluff]

Agree that your approach looks good. Listen to your gut, it is easier to walk away at the start!
As for RS lessons, I personally would keep them if you can. I regularly ride and have lessons on horses other than my own, I find it helps highlight and address any rider faults. Also, if you do go onto buy, a good RS may be able to help with horse search!

 

[Orainn]

Thanks guys, good to know I'm on the right lines!

There is a school at this yard, the point about lessons is more that I want to keep ties with my current RS and instructor. I'm really pleased with how things are going there and when I do get my own horse I think I'll want to keep it there too.

Very exciting!