People who don't have their own horse..

[JustKickOn]

How do you get your horsey 'fix'??
Parent can't/won't buy me a horse, but in all honesty, I don't want one of my own at the moment.
I introduced the prospect of a loan horse to them. Dad seemed okish with the idea, but Mum was more edgey about it all.
Both are unhorsey by the way.

I used to ride at the local RS, but I felt I wasn't progressing, and it's a bit of a bitch fest up there now

I currently ride my Mum's friends horse once/twice a week, but TBH, she's not my 'type' of horse. She's cobby, but I prefer the long-legged ones, or a speed demon

So, how do you get your fix?
And does anybody have a suggestion of how I can get riding more, as I would love to beable to compete in whatever, but don't have a horse to compete!

Lizzie

 

[Ellies_mum2]

Can you afford to share a horse maybe? Just a thought but its what I do as I can't afford to buy. If you get a good one maybe they will let you compete?

 

[Leary]

Sharing would be good for you, as you're not on your own with all the care side, especially if you have non-horsey parents.

 

[DiablosGold]

Before I got mine I loaned a connemara four days a week. No money changed hands, I did jobs in return for rides.

My cousin is horseless atm and she rides mine twice a week.

Have a look through local ads, lots of people need help with theirs.

 

[gemmagallagher]

I dont have my own horse but i'm lucky to have a fabulous friend who lets me ride her horse whenever i want. I would definately look into sharing, its a lot cheaper and it wil prepare you for when you want your own horse.

 

[Daisychain]

I would put an advert in your local tack shop asking for work for rides/share in a horse, i know in the past i have wanted riders/sharers and it is hard to find someone reliable.

 

[Acolyte]

When I sold my horse in February (gorgeous 16.2hh SF gelding) I was really lucky - a lady who keeps her horse on full livery at my yard was paying someone to ride him as sh had no time to, so I took over riding her horse instead.

Basically I can pretty much ride as often as I like each week for free, and have no mucking out/poo picking/care to do unless I feel like it. Talk about an ideal arrangement

The only 'downside' if there is one is that my boy was really well schooled, responsive, classy ride (had BE points, fabulous schoolmaster) - the horse I ride now is a cob who has only ever hunted and is as ignorant as anything when he wants to be

 

[jewel]

when i didn't have my own i placed an ad saying something along the lines of my age at the times willing to help with work in exchange for riding. i got loads of offers. i ended up riding for a lady with 10 horses which was brilliant and i learnt a lot from her.

 

[sunlover]

I don't have my own horse but last year a pal put me in touch with another friend of hers who has horses. I am so fortunate - I ride her horses and my daughter rides her daughters pony. It is a dream really. We are so lucky. Perfect summer days hacking out, and I love getting stuck in! Very lucky girls we are too.

 

[Eluana]

I go up to my RS every weekend and spend every day off school up there.
TBH though I need to move on and get my own as I'm riding lead rein/beginner horses to get them fit after having the winter off (only helper at the yard short enough to do it) and while they are little saints that won't put a foot wrong, I like something with a little more spunk and keeps you on your feet.
There is a pony up the yard like that but I'm not allowed to ride because I got bucked of him once and everyone now thinks I'm to scared to ride him again

which I'm not as I love the pony and would buy him in a second if he ever went up for sale (with money I'm suddenly going to have

)

My dad has said that I can loan one though if his company starts to bring in more money, which is a something I really hope happens (already been looking and found 3 perfect ponies )

My mum and dad aren't horsey so getting them to book my first lessons and take me up to the yard is hard to do but they support me in everything I do and encourage me to continue which is great.

 

[JustKickOn]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies.
I think I may look into getting a share when I leave school/exams are over, and see how things go over the summer. This will also be when I have a job, (maybe, fingers crossed!), so I can go 50:50 with my parents

I would go to the riding school, but I have no transport and know my parents won't drive me, and I'm not old enough to get a moped.

Plus I don't think I'm well liked up there anymore, I left and *betrayed* them, apparently

Once I've got the majority of my GCSE's out of the way, I'll maybe put and advert up in the local tack shop, the one about 20 minutes or so away, and also in the local news agents.
I may post asked for advice on what to write

Again, thanks for the replies!!

Lizzie x

 

[ShadowFlame]

Hmm...thinking back, when I got bored of just plodding round the school in circles, I swapped to hacking at my local RS and signed up to be a helper there to get some experience. I helped out all day on weekends, learnt how to tack up, rug up, etc and stayed there for around 18 months until I really was confident in handling and looking after horses, not just riding them. I really would recommend helping out before you get a share horse, if at all possible. After that I got myself a share horse which was a steep learning curve, but his owner was always there to help when I needed it. Due to circumstances, that only lasted for around 6 months, but I learned a lot on that time. I then moved on to a full loan, so I had full responsibility of a horse, but his owner was at the end of the phone if ever I needed her help. It taught me a lot, and also proved to my parents that I was committed enough to look after a horse full time.

Due to circumstances and experiences, I haven't had a "horsey fix" in nearly 12 months, but I still miss my loan horse to this day. Within the next few months I'm planning on getting back into the horsey world, and, if things go to plan, hopefully moving on to my own horse within the next few years. It is best to get as much experience as you can before you consider having a horse full time - it's a huge commitment.