Normal cost of a share

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sam72431

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As above really, I currently have a share, I charge £30pw I was charging £49 but sharer can't afford this and has asked me to drop the price?!
I have a well behaved tbx mare who jumps does a reasonable dressage test, hacks alone or in company and if im honest is just a lovely all round horse both ridden and on the floor. She is kept on part livery so 5 days a week the yard do everything and at the weekend I much out and put to bed etc! It's costing me about £5/600 a month as I buy feed and then shoes and insurance etc! So the sharer gets two days where she literally just turns up and rides and then feeds her and one day at the weekend where she turns out mucks out and rides and then goes back in the evening to put her to bed? I think she is getting an absolute bargain as I'm also happy for her to take her out and compete! What would sharers normally pay? I'm not used to all this as normally don't diy and done everything myself not really had a sharer before! But change in work (long stressful) job meant I needed the help of yard services and a sharer to help with costs! Tia
 
The sharer is ultimately helping you out - if £30/wk is not enough to help you out, then find someone who will pay more. However, sometimes having reliability is worth more than extra money - no point having someone paying £100/wk if they don't turn up when expected or don't do other things agreed.

And £30/wk works out at £130 pcm which is nearly 25% of your outgoings (based on £5/600 you mentioned), I'd be happy with that, but then I don't have the same views on sharing as others do....
 
£49 a week is way too much. The monthly cost of that works out more than my horse costs me every month (livery, hay, shoes, bedding etc)! I'd say that £30 a week is fair and verging on a little towards the higher end of the spectrum but if she is happy with that then I would take it! I had a share horse before I got mine a couple of years ago, I paid £80 a month to go down 2 days a week. He was on part livery so all I did was ride and feed. Before that (this was back in 2009/10/11 so inflation and all) I paid £60 a month for 3 days a week plus we went out competing etc. With him I did muck out/poopick etc but still only had to go down once a day as was also on part livery.
 
I would say £10 a day is pretty standard. We have charged one of our part loaners £25 a week for 3 days, she has been with us for 15 years plus, through 3 horses and is fantastic. Whatever works for both parties.
I would say a part loaner would usually do chores; if there is the option to have her muck out on her weekdays to save yourself some expense it might be worth considering?
 
As a long term sharer over the years - usual arrangements are between £15-25 per week (Oxfordshire) sometime with an additional charge to help cover shoes or insurance etc.
 
I currently pay £30 per week + 1/2 of shoes, dentist, physio etc which I think is a bit steep (and the horse is kept at the owner's own yard) + stable duties are involved. However, he is a lovely talented horse and she is happy for me to compete and do what I wish with him (within reason) and so I am happy to do it. If it was for a less talented horse I would only be willing to pay £30 a week and nothing more. I think that it is compromise between the owner and the sharer so that you can discuss things that make you both happy with the arrangement. I don't agree with owners making a profit on the horse being shared as it is your responsibility, after all you did choose to purchase the horse! As I'm not quite ready financially to purchase my own my share arrangement works out well for me.
 
Have just agreed a price for someone to share H. She offered up to £25 a week, but we've settled on £20 as I know her quite well and I know she rides him nicely. No yard duties as he's on full livery, as many days as she wants during university terms, 2-3 days during university holidays (but I'm fairly flexible, will see what works best for both of us). She mostly wanted weekdays, which is great for me as I can come home and ride at the weekends. She isn't starting for a couple of weeks while she settles in her new job, but I'm hopeful that it will work well for both of us!
 
Shares are funny things as I don't think most sharers pay much towards the total cost. Mine is on full livery and the share works out at £15 a ride which is a v small amount of the total cost. I did struggle to price it and I think that's on the cheap side considering the arrangement, but I didn't do it for the money and there are other advantages for me
 
My sharer pays £80pm, was going to be £20pw but I'm not going to quibble, I don't have her for monetary reasons. She doesn't pay anything extra for vet, physio, shoes etc. she's my horse so it's my responsibility. Her contributrion effectively pays for her shoes. She does her 2-3 days a week, weekdays or weekends, whichever suits her better, and has to do chores on those days. Happy for her to take her competing, have lessons on her etc. My previous share paid more but actually was happy to negotiate for my current sharer as she's a great girl, rides my horse well and horse adores her!

I think £49 is a bit steep. If your livery is costing you so much I would be looking to move yards to DIY again where it's workable and sharer helping out by having to muck-out on her days?
 
When looking for my share last year I was offered:

- Horse on full livery for £50 a week - too expensive imo, walked away.
- Horse on full livery for £35-£45 a week (with owner and 1 other sharer also using and competing the horse). Owner kept messing me around - originally it was DIY for £20 a week as the only sharer which I was happy with, then decided if she had 2 sharers she could afford full livery, then the YO insisted that the cash had to be an even split at £45 each but owner asked for £35. Eventually I decided this was all far too much hassle and walked away.
- Horse on DIY livery for cost of shoes - around £50 a month

I'm very happy with £50 a month and feel like I get a good deal, even more so now he's recently moved yards to full livery.

The two I turned down show up regularly offered for shares again on the local facebook groups.
 
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Thanks, sorry meant to say £40 a week not £49 lol see I was under the impression that sharers paid more towards the cost of the horse but this has cleared it up for me thanks! I just feel that ok it's my horse but I only get to ride the same amount as her and pay about triple the price? But perhaps this isn't the case. Thanks :)
 
I guess ultimately though you have the majority share as such! so yes you pay a larger percentage, but you own the horse and can decide if you wanted to end the share or change arrangements, they cannot.

don't get me wrong, they are ultimately benefiting from the share as a way to have a horse to ride, without the full cost and responsibility of owning, However, they are also helping you out by exercising your horse and doing chores. they do it for pleasure, not as a job like a freelance groom, so they pay you rather than you pay them. But if not you may of had to pay a groom to do the tasks.

it's a tricky one
 
I feel like the OP's share arrangement could be better worked out. What is the point of having a sharer AND paying for livery? Why not ask the sharer to do jobs instead? If she's going up twice a day anyway it would surely make sense. £49 per week is very expensive for two days a week, IMO.
I pay currently pay £25 per week for two days. The owner has been very upfront with me that the reason she has a sharer is partly because of time constraints and partly because she is finding the expense too much. Ideally she would like me to contribute more (and do more days in return). My problem is, although I would like the extra days, I can't afford to pay more, but I have been very open with the owner about this. She has subsequently found a second sharer, which works well. I really don't think a sharer should be paying much more than £15 per day, because, although they get the loan of a horse, they generally also help the owner out by ensuring the horse is exercised and by doing chores. Remember, at the end of the day, sharers are not responsible for the way owners choose to keep their horses. It's not really fair to expect a sharer to cover the shortfall when they have no say over whether the horse is kept on a cheap yard/ expensive yard/ full livery/ DIY.
 
I paid £30 a week for three days and I mucked out on my days in the winter too and that was 10 years ago!

I think £40 for three days with two days on part livery no jobs and one day with the jobs is reasonable, depending on where in the country you are. However if she has been sharing for a while and is reliable then maybe suggest dropping to £35 a week and seeing how that goes.
 
I have the part livery as I work longer hours so I don't finish until 5.30 and then can't get to the yard until 6pm sometimes later and my horse will not stay out in the dark it's fine in the summer but in the winter not at all practical. Also only yard in the area that is half decent and they only do part livery no option at all for diy I am in Hampshire I moved from West Sussex six months ago so expensive area. I have a sharer to help out with cost ultimately I don't want a sharer if I'm honest although I do like the oppprtunity of a lie in one day a week. I personally think it's a good deal she has a lovely horse (I know I'm biased) and no chores two days a week. Can do lessons compete etc. I think as well as money issue a few other issues have happened on top of that, horse not being groomed or feet not picked out not cleaning the tack and bits and pieces and I just think well ok you've got no chores nothing and you can't even brush her?!
 
Is the sharer improving your horse? How much of your time do they take up? What are your actual costs? How desirable is the horse?
All these influence the 'fair' cost of a share.
 
Honestly no the horse is not being improved by the sharer she is a good enough rider but I've had to give her 'lessons' on how to ride my horse she isn't that great at schooling and the horse has been known to take the mickey of her out hacking and even on occasion the horse has been on her toes in school and she's got off and given up this being said she is in no way spoiling the horse but just not improving her. My costs are £395 for livery, £30 for feed, £60 for insurance and £75 for shoes plus vaccinations and physio saddle fitter etc. I know I am biased but this is a really good quality horse with lots of potential she is only 7 but already established in wall Trot canter and will jump a course get you out of trouble hack out goes first or last and is impeccable on the ground she is a yard favourite due to her lovely nature so it's a tricky one!

At same time sharer is truly lovely person she has been fairly flexible but then so have I when she's needed to go away last minute etc so it's not like I'm not happy with arrangement
 
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Hopefully in next week or so I'm going to be sharing. I'll pay £25 and will be riding twice a week with no other costs. The horse is out full time in the summer and in at nights in the winter so I'll be mucking out etc then but I really don't mind doing that at all. I'll also be turning out her friend's horse which means I'll only have to make one trip up to the stables per day as her friend does the other half and will bring the horse in for me. I'm more than happy with this.
 
sam72431 said:
I have the part livery as I work longer hours so I don't finish until 5.30 and then can't get to the yard until 6pm sometimes later and my horse will not stay out in the dark it's fine in the summer but in the winter not at all practical. Also only yard in the area that is half decent and they only do part livery no option at all for diy I am in Hampshire I moved from West Sussex six months ago so expensive area. I have a sharer to help out with cost ultimately I don't want a sharer if I'm honest although I do like the oppprtunity of a lie in one day a week. I personally think it's a good deal she has a lovely horse (I know I'm biased) and no chores two days a week. Can do lessons compete etc. I think as well as money issue a few other issues have happened on top of that, horse not being groomed or feet not picked out not cleaning the tack and bits and pieces and I just think well ok you've got no chores nothing and you can't even brush her?!
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For Hampshire I would say £30 a week is fair for 3 days a week but then at the end of the day if you aren't happy it's your choice what you do! If you think you could find someone who would pay more and that's what you want then go for it. I would bring up the other issues with her, maybe just clarify that on her days she needs to groom (why wouldn't you?!?!) and give the tack a clean after riding. When I had a share horse I wanted to do everything - I'd be excited if they had left the stable so I could muck it out haha!
 
Part livery round here(NWales) is £300 a month , with owner doing diy at weekends, and shoes are £70 a set ...I did have a sharer and she paid £130 a month and half shoes... that was all I felt I could ask.. they had free acces to my horses( 2 )
And we would text when we were going up to yard so we didn't clash... but basically she would do mornings as she worked later in the day.. we would do afternoons ..it worked ok..
I felt that reliability and good care for my horses was more important than the cost...
of course some parts of the country will have bigger livery costs... but I would hate to loose a reliable good sharer for a few ££££
I don't own any horses now...but good sharers are like gold dust...dot let them blow away in the wind!!
 
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HashRouge said:
I feel like the OP's share arrangement could be better worked out. What is the point of having a sharer AND paying for livery? Why not ask the sharer to do jobs instead? If she's going up twice a day anyway it would surely make sense. £49 per week is very expensive for two days a week, IMO.
I pay currently pay £25 per week for two days. The owner has been very upfront with me that the reason she has a sharer is partly because of time constraints and partly because she is finding the expense too much. Ideally she would like me to contribute more (and do more days in return). My problem is, although I would like the extra days, I can't afford to pay more, but I have been very open with the owner about this. She has subsequently found a second sharer, which works well. I really don't think a sharer should be paying much more than £15 per day, because, although they get the loan of a horse, they generally also help the owner out by ensuring the horse is exercised and by doing chores. Remember, at the end of the day, sharers are not responsible for the way owners choose to keep their horses. It's not really fair to expect a sharer to cover the shortfall when they have no say over whether the horse is kept on a cheap yard/ expensive yard/ full livery/ DIY.
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On the other hand not all sharers are time rich and money poor.

Some sharers would rather pay a regular contribution and not be tied to care or committing to certain days of the week.

Other sharers are looking to help in non financial ways.

Both are fine, IMO.
 
sam72431 said:
I have the part livery as I work longer hours so I don't finish until 5.30 and then can't get to the yard until 6pm sometimes later and my horse will not stay out in the dark it's fine in the summer but in the winter not at all practical. Also only yard in the area that is half decent and they only do part livery no option at all for diy I am in Hampshire I moved from West Sussex six months ago so expensive area. I have a sharer to help out with cost ultimately I don't want a sharer if I'm honest although I do like the oppprtunity of a lie in one day a week. I personally think it's a good deal she has a lovely horse (I know I'm biased) and no chores two days a week. Can do lessons compete etc. I think as well as money issue a few other issues have happened on top of that, horse not being groomed or feet not picked out not cleaning the tack and bits and pieces and I just think well ok you've got no chores nothing and you can't even brush her?!
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I've moved on a previous sharer that didn't want to contribute or help out! I don't like air of entitlement or not putting overall best interests of horses first.

I like having both my sharers (two horses). Are company to ride with, and help keep horse fit. And I like fit horses, sometimes they can work twice a day, if varied work. As long as horses don't go in school twice in one day. So rarely limit my riding. And they are both people I trust with my horses. I benefit from having fit horses, and horses that get lots of love!

Perhaps a key difference for me, is I am the main rider of both horses. Neither of my sharers want to compete. One schools a bit and has some lessons. Other prefers to hack. Both are pretty laid back. Both put horses first. So I feel I have complete control of competing / training etc.
 
I think £30 is a reasonable amount it's your choice to pay for the mucking out to be done all week so maybe if you want to save on costs ask her to do the mucking out on her days, or give her the option to pay the extra for the yard to do it on her days.
 
Mine lays £25 a week, rides 3-4 times and does chores on her days. She's always keen and happy to muck in and help out.

For a genuine schoolmaster who can be a bit cheeky but can do everything to a good standard. She hacks and has lessons.
 
I had a nice young girl share one of mine a few years ago. She had him three days a week including one weekend day, and she could do what she liked riding-wise. She paid me £70pm plus half the cost of shoes, and poo picked on her days. I mucked out as I was at the yard doing my other horse anyway - and I sadly enjoyed mucking out! The benefit to me was getting my horse ridden more.

It worked out perfectly for both of us. She only stopped when bogged down with exams and I retired my oldie.
 
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