Part Loan/Share Advice

[Horse :)]

Hi there, I’m new to this forum but I would like some advice on whether you think I’m ready to part loan a horse. My parents have agreed but I keep overthinking things. I would just like someone else’s opinion please.

I’m 13 and have been riding for just over 1 and a half years. I would like to part loan a horse so that I could be more involved in the care of it and be able to decide what I want to do that ride. I would still take some lessons on my part loan horse. I am quite a casu

I am able to walk, trot and canter and I have done a few small jumps (jumping isn’t really my thing though) I also love going on hacks but I have only hacked in a group. I know how to ride on roads too. I have helped out at my riding school on several occasions and know how to groom, tack up, untack, muck out, clean tack, and get on and start riding without help.

I would be looking for a part loan/share for 2-3 days a week on a slightly older horse that would be happy to go in the school and do some poles/flatwork and go on hacks too.

Please could you give your opinion on whether you think this is a good idea. Thanks!!

 

[Wishfilly]

Have you discussed this idea with your instructor? They see you ride regularly, so would be more able to advise. Given your level of riding experience, you would probably need your instructor or an experienced friend to help with finding a share too.

Does your riding school offer any sort of part loan/share scheme? These are often more expensive than private shares, but would provide you with more support than a private share- and you would know the horse was safe.

How involved are your parents willing to be? A lot of yards or owners would want someone to supervise a 13yo, especially if you are not very experienced.

I don't think it's impossible with the right sort of supportive set up, but you are still relatively inexperienced- so you would need to find the right set up and horse to make a success of this. Hacking alone especially can be very different to hacking in company- so it might be you would need to build up to that, for example.

 

[Horse :)]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

My riding school does offer “part loans” and I did try it. I stuck with it for a few months until I found out I was allergic to the bedding they use. At my riding school, they did it differently to ‘normal’ shares. You went, helped out at the riding school (eg leading beginners, mucking out, tack cleaning) and then had a lesson on one of the lesson horses.

It wasn’t much like a share and more like a pay to help out thing. I also had a small child “helping” me most of the time. This is why I would like a private share.

My parents aren’t horsey people but they have said that they will do what they need to do to help me with getting a share horse.

I am hoping to find a relatively quiet horse on a supportive yard and owners that I get along with and would be willing to answer any questions I may have.

Thanks again!

 

[Shay]

Its not impossible - but it also isn't the easiest to find! At 13 you can't enter into a legal contract. I presume your parents would pay the costs? Also you have to get there and back. I used to offer shares on my daughter's PC competition pony once she moved onto horses so all my sharers were between 8 and I think the oldest was 14. (Pony is retired now - still loved!) But I would never take a sharer unless either the parent was horsey and could help or a couple of kids when the parents paid for an instructor to be with the child instead. I would not - could not because of the insurance complications - have had an under 16 on yard without a responsible adult.

A good place to start is your local pony club. Reach out to your local DC and see what they can reccommend. Not all branches are supportive of kids on shares but they have probably the best knowledge of what is available locally. Also discuss with your instructor - you'll want them to come along with you to any viewings anyway and to continue lessons on the new pony. It isn't easy to find the perfect solution but they are out there. Just be patient and keep looking. Try - as best as any of us can! - not to let your heart rule your head.

 

[Wishfilly]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

My riding school does offer “part loans” and I did try it. I stuck with it for a few months until I found out I was allergic to the bedding they use. At my riding school, they did it differently to ‘normal’ shares. You went, helped out at the riding school (eg leading beginners, mucking out, tack cleaning) and then had a lesson on one of the lesson horses.

It wasn’t much like a share and more like a pay to help out thing. I also had a small child “helping” me most of the time. This is why I would like a private share.

My parents aren’t horsey people but they have said that they will do what they need to do to help me with getting a share horse.

I am hoping to find a relatively quiet horse on a supportive yard and owners that I get along with and would be willing to answer any questions I may have.

Thanks again!

That definitely doesn't sound ideal.

Are there any other riding schools locally where you could find a more traditional part loan or share arrangement?

The issue with private shares is that there are not that many owners who are willing to take on a complete novice they don't know and teach them everything from scratch. A lot of people share because of a lack of time, so they just won't be able to provide the supportive set up you are imagining. I am sure this sort of set up is out there, but you may need to spend a lot of time looking.

I think you will need to be very honest about your ability and lack of experience, otherwise you could end up in a difficult situation.

I'm not trying to put you off, because sharing ponies is a great experience, but just to make you aware that you may need to be quite patient when looking.

I agree that talking to your local pony club might be a good next step.

 

[Horse :)]

Hi, thanks for all the answers.

I have had a talk another talk about it with my parent and we have decided that it would be the best idea to wait a bit longer until I have a bit more experience.

thanks for the replies!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Very sensible.

 

[Shay]

Are you able to start your BHS training in the meantime? You can do your stage 1 and your ride safe for now. It would give you something to work toward and greater experience. Or find your local pony club centre and stat your PC efficiency tests - you can get up to the C test at 13 I think.