GirlFriday
Well-Known Member
Having been reading these forums for a while now (very informative - thank you!) and thought it time to 'de-lurk' with a question...
I'm in my late twenties and based in Central London. I've been learning to ride for 4-5 years at local schools and, now that I'm officially a victim of the Credit Crunch, have the time (but not necessarily the money!) to want to take it to the next level with a horse-share. I was thinking of a part share of an ex-riding school horse on full livery but want to make sure I'd not be being irresponsible before answering any ads.
The main problem is that whilst I'm confident that with a relatively well-mannered and straight forward horse (not anybody's prized *** eventer) I'd be able to improve my riding without ruining the animal or freaking myself out at little spooks and bucks etc, the stables I normally ride at do everything (and I mean everything - most clients don't even adjust their own stirrup leathers) for you. Consequently my non-riding horse-related skills are nowhere near the standard you might expect.
There isn't anywhere good nearby that I can do the BHS stable management exams (if I'm wrong on that please let me know!) but there is a pony centre that does RDA etc where I could volunteer. Other than that and 'own your own horse for a day' events (they do occasionally do them for adults too!) is there anything I should be doing before considering riding someone else's horse?
I'm in my late twenties and based in Central London. I've been learning to ride for 4-5 years at local schools and, now that I'm officially a victim of the Credit Crunch, have the time (but not necessarily the money!) to want to take it to the next level with a horse-share. I was thinking of a part share of an ex-riding school horse on full livery but want to make sure I'd not be being irresponsible before answering any ads.
The main problem is that whilst I'm confident that with a relatively well-mannered and straight forward horse (not anybody's prized *** eventer) I'd be able to improve my riding without ruining the animal or freaking myself out at little spooks and bucks etc, the stables I normally ride at do everything (and I mean everything - most clients don't even adjust their own stirrup leathers) for you. Consequently my non-riding horse-related skills are nowhere near the standard you might expect.
There isn't anywhere good nearby that I can do the BHS stable management exams (if I'm wrong on that please let me know!) but there is a pony centre that does RDA etc where I could volunteer. Other than that and 'own your own horse for a day' events (they do occasionally do them for adults too!) is there anything I should be doing before considering riding someone else's horse?