Problem Sharers

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ItIsILeclucer

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I have a Sharer 1 day in the week who is utterly perfect and I am spoilt and then a different Sharer on a Sunday who is very sweet and does all as I have asked, her mother who shares another pony on the yard is causing problems. The ponies are on DIY and it was stipulated right from the start they need to be there of an afternoon to feed and turnout. They don't, at all. They leave it for someone else to do and are gone by 2pm. With the winter coming the overnight horses go out earlier so turnout is still done in daylight, I very politely told them this yesterday and got short shrift back. Saying that it will be 'tricky' for them because of 'other committments' i need more help on a Sunday in the winter as trying to beat the dark to get everything done. If it was just the mother i would have said 'thankyou, next' but it's not and I quite like the young girl who shares my pony. What do you all think I should do?
 
Jenko109 said:
It's a tough one.

You could try calling their bluff?

Make it clear that if they cannot commit to the turnout arrangements, then you don't think it's going to work out. Ask them to go away and have a think to see if they can juggle their other commitments about, or if they wish to call it a day.
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That's a good plan, the mother really gets my back up but I'm trying to help the daughter out
 
HaffiesRock said:
What a rubbish situation. I too would call her bluff and say it’s not working so you’ll find someone else. Very unfair on the poor girl though if it’s the mother being a pain.

Could you pay for turnout and add the cost to their share price?
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No, it's not that sort of yard, all the others are liveries and unfortunately either they do it or I will have to find another Sharer, they were told that that had to be able to turnout when they first replies to my advert so it's not that I have moves the goal posts
 
ItIsILeclucer said:
There is no one else to turnout the others are all liveries, I cannot be at the yard all the hours god sends and the other DIY ponies are owned by my friend who works Sundays
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Right, it sounded like there were people who have been turning the ponies out ('they leave it for someone else to do').

But if there is no-one else then you have to make a decision you are comfortable with.

No-one's suggesting you are at the yard all hours 😊
 
If they are otherwise really good sharers and you want to keep them, then I'd be looking for another way to make it work - is there a freelancer groom that could come to turn out & muck out and the extra charged to the sharer? Could you negotiate the turn out time to a time they could do? Could you alternative who turns out on a Sunday & charge extra for the Sunday turn out you do? I'm not saying any are workable but possibly food for thought depending upon your situation.

If not & you are confident you could find other sharers (otherwise you'd potentially be back to spending more time at the yard), then you have your answer.
 
MuddyMonster said:
If they are otherwise really good sharers and you want to keep them, then I'd be looking for another way to make it work - is there a freelancer groom that could come to turn out & muck out and the extra charged to the sharer? Could you negotiate the turn out time to a time they could do? Could you alternative who turns out on a Sunday & charge extra for the Sunday turn out you do? I'm not saying any are workable but possibly food for thought depending upon your situation.

If not & you are confident you could find other sharers (otherwise you'd potentially be back to spending more time at the yard), then you have your answer.
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Tbh they were more trouble than they where worth and I'm now on the hunt again, my weekday Sharer is asking her friend at work that also rides
 
This is where sharing is a problem for me. If you need sharers to do specific things that probably arent that appealing and then you charge them, it can feel unbalanced. I charged a small amount to novices who needed supervision etc, but never charged anyone who did chores. I know prices have shot up and changed things, but if you need certain things done, it really is better to just pay for it yourself.
 
It sounds like the ship has sailed on this one. Presumably now with no sharer for a Sunday you will have to do the chores yourself anyway - so there is an alternative to the sharer doing it.

If you find another right rider, who can't make certain days / times - perhaps consider asking that rider to pay for a freelancer to turn out / bring in - or whatever the time critical things are.

Finding a nice quiet rider suited to your horse is a minefield - finding that in someone who can guarantee to be available at 4pm every Sunday 52 weeks a year makes a hard job even harder.

I would focus on the quality of the rider - above their availability to do turn out at a specific time (which in reality can be done by anyone with basic horse knowledge)
 
As a sharer myself, I dont understand how difficult it is to just make life easier for the owner. I understand if they have other things to do but simply explaining this politely could result in another arrangement being made that suits both sides. From the sounds of things, youre much better off without them and just finding a new sharer. Shame for the girl though. Fingers crossed that you can find someone more suited, best of luck on the search!
 
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