Pros and cons of a child sharing a pony ?

[hannah90]

I have an 11.2 section A mare, great with kids, loves hacking out, not phased by anything. I was thinking of advertising to see if i could find a child that would like to ride her, no money or chores, just take her out, when ever they want really, do you think this is a good idea ? or to much hassle having kids around ? i dont want to have to teach them, or take them out, so would need a parent to come with them if they are to young/novice. have any of you done this ? dont want to put her out on loan as she is for my kids, but with work,school and dark nights, they dont get to take her out much ? Any experiences welcome !

 

[Littlelegs]

I don't see it being a problem. Just make sure if its a young or novice child they have a parent that knows enough to supervise. Or if its a tiny young teen they have enough experience not to need supervising.

 

[*hic*]

I did it, never again. It wasn't just the child and her parents that would come and treat my yard as their own but they would happily bring non-horsey siblings together with a friend or two to occupy them, and cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents all feeling free to nip into my house to use the loo, park where the hell they wanted, pet the other animals, walk round my gardens, poke about in the sheds and garages.

 

[Shay]

It isn't the child you need to worry about - its the parents!

As long as you get someone with horsey parents who know the score and can be responsible then you'll have a fine time and so will the child.

But sadly too many are looking for a cheap option rather than riding school and have no idea about safety around horses or realistic expectations. You also need to be sure your insurance covers them, or they have thier own. And watch out for the unexpected school freinds turning up to ride - not a probelm if you know about it and they can ride. Quite a nightmare if you don't and they can't!

By all means advertise - or ask your local pony club. But interview the parents - and take rerferences if they have shared a horse before. And I know it is the lawyer's answer - but have a contract. Contracts keep freindships!

We have a really nice sharer for my daughter's semi outgrown pony now - but we have also had some doozies along the way!

 

[smellsofhorse]

You will get a lot of dreamers. And kids that want to follow you around.
But there could be a decent person out there.
You need to target the parents, they will need to be confident and trust worthy not parents that thinking could save them money on lessons!

So weed out the bad ones and you could find a good arrangement.

 

[hannah90]

thanks every one. The bringing others along bit worries me, i have my own yard, and if im not there, no one is. Dont really want loads of people turning up when im not around and messing about. Didnt really think about a contract, as i dont want money, but seems like the best idea ! Will have to check insurance as well, if not will sort that myself, at least i know they have it then ! Do you think it may be worth charging a token amount, just to put of dreamers ? if that would work !

 

[Littlelegs]

How about saying they must have a weekly lesson on the pony?

 

[hannah90]

that sounds good, we are only a ten minute hack away from a yard with instructor so very easy

 

[Polotash]

Do you think it may be worth charging a token amount, just to put of dreamers ? if that would work !

Yes, i always ask sharers to pay the shoes, since they are using them, and I pay the rest, since the horse is mine.

Echo contracts, BHS has sharers/ loaners ones you can download for free and adapt. You DEF need one, e.g. you can stop little friends coming to ride, or hundreds of hangers on, or pony going to shows transported by goodness knows who...! You can also make your and their insurance position clear.

 

[Polotash]

How about saying they must have a weekly lesson on the pony?

Weekly would be too much, by the time the child has swimming/ ballet, god knows what else, they may not even ride once a week in winter.

 

[hannah90]

Yes, i always ask sharers to pay the shoes, since they are using them, and I pay the rest, since the horse is mine.

Echo contracts, BHS has sharers/ loaners ones you can download for free and adapt. You DEF need one, e.g. you can stop little friends coming to ride, or hundreds of hangers on, or pony going to shows transported by goodness knows who...! You can also make your and their insurance position clear.

Iv just been looking at those, transportation a good point too ! i didn't think of any of these things ! She doesn't have shoes, and a friend who is a farrier trims her for free, well for me looking after his horse when he goes away, so wouldn't seem fair to charge for that ! i think lessons are a good idea, but arrange with parents how often,when etc.
Thanks again everyone, very helpful !

 

[Kat]

I would say go for it but go into it with your eyes open and don't be afraid to lay down rules.

I wouldn't be riding now if someone hadn't been generous enough to invite a little girl to ride their shetland!

I wasn't horsey and didn't have horsey parents but the owner of the pony had a daughter with a bigger pony and so me and mum would go to the stables at the same time as them and while the daughter sorted her pony and rode her mum would sort me and the shetland out. I think looking back that taking me on lead rein hacks was a way of mum accompanying daughter out hacking while she was at the stage where she wasn't quite ready to go alone but wanted to. My mum wasn't horsey so was no real help.

Now I have a horsey nephew with a horsey mum who would be terrific sharers if the right opportunity came up in the right area. Mum is small enough to ride a pony and a capable rider, with decent stable management knowledge, nephew is 10 and has regular lessons but would simply love to do more.

I think if you decide what you want and set this out clearly, including rules about only being there at certain times and not bringing people without prior agreement etc then everyone knows where they stand and you could have a real win win situation.

You could try asking whether the PC know anyone but you might be better asking at your local riding school. Ask the owner/manager whether they know anyone suitable, a good riding school may well have clients where parents and children ride and so the child would not need your supervision.

 

[Littlelegs]

I don't think weekly lessons are too much. Op says there's an instructor a 10minute hack away. And especially as op wants a sharer for the riding aspect, a child who can't commit to riding once a week won't be much use.

 

[Billabongchick]

We always paid a very generous amount for the first pony we shared based on the fact that the girl who owned her was happy to bring her in/tack up/untack. However when she was sold the next owner we shared with wanted the same amount despite wanting us to catch, tack up, feed (including her other horses sometimes!) which we wouldn't have minded if we weren't paying as much as an hour lesson in a riding school costs (when it was in theory a muddy field with me teaching/tacking up etc). However the pony was a little gem and when we did get to ride the kids progressed much faster than at the riding school so we stuck with it.

This was fine until every time we tried to organise riding the pony in summer it was tied up doing various events with the owners kids and the few times we did manage to 'book in' we were asked to pay the same large amount to 'hack out as the pony was fed up of schooling etc'. We ended up feeling like we were exercising and paying through the nose for the privilege and that the kids weren't progressing as hardly ever got lesson time just long muddy walks out.

I guess just be clear from the start who pays for what or what stable duties you expect in 'payment' and be communicative about when the pony is free to be used or when you need it yourself. It sounds like your own kids are not competing though so you can probably be more relaxed about when your possible sharers can ride. And like others have said make sure the adult supervising is competent! But I would always expect to pay some money or muck in with some poo picking etc if I was sharing anything suitable for a kid to ride safely as kids are unlikely to 'progress' your pony schooling-wise.

 

[hannah90]

I don't think weekly lessons are too much. Op says there's an instructor a 10minute hack away. And especially as op wants a sharer for the riding aspect, a child who can't commit to riding once a week won't be much use.

thats the problem, ideally id want her ridden at least once a week, OH is getting bored taking her for walks ! but if they could only ride once a week, dont think it fair to always be lessons, so wouldnt mind fortnightly lesson, and a hack the other week.

Billabongchick, my kids are still young, dont really ride that much, took her about about 10 times through the summer holidays, once or twice since. So sharer could have her whenever really,could always find poo picking for someone to do as well !

Any other important points i should consider ?

 

[Bethie]

I've got a dartmoor who is now 26 and over the years has had many little riders on the same deal - no money changing hands but committing to a lesson a week. A small handful have been great kids, nice parents and worked well and I'm still friends with now they are all grown up.

The vast majority, including family!, have expected the kids to be picked up and dropped back off at home, no parental input whatsoever, cancelling at a moment's notice or just not turning up at all, definitely wouldn't have lessons as little darling is the next international superstar all ready... no commitment basically. This has been the same experience of other people I know with small ponies.

So it can work well but be prepared for some short lived wonders while you find the right one.

 

[Star_Chaser]

If you choose the right sharer it will work out nicely, we did it on the basis that on the days we had the mare we loaned that she was completely our responsibility, so care, poo picking, feeding, tacking up and riding etc just as if she were our own which was lovely and worked very well until the holidays started.

It meant that we got to teach our son responsibility and have all the experience of owning a horse without the full costs. We brought our own tack so we didn't damage theirs, own grooming kit, head collars, leading reins, rugs, wheel barrows, spades & forks etc we did pay over the odds for the days that we had but it was worth it, she was a lovely pony a real confidence giver.

We had strict instructions that no one except ourselves and the child with whom the loan was agreed could come to the yard unless prior arrangements were made and only the child on the contract could ride - really for insurance purposes. There was some leaway for when she went off to shows or pony club camp but beyond that our days were meant to be our own.

Great during the school terms & winter when the owners children were at school or it was too cold or wet to ride but as soon as the holidays started we had an awful time where we would do our usual routine, tack up ready to go on our ride and their children & friends would jump on and take the pony leaving my son very upset and distressed Our days were cut short and despite discussion to try and resolve it we ended up cancelling our agreement and walking away.

As others have said make sure that the parents know what they are doing really the care will be theirs, there are lots of competent parents out there they aren't all skinflints out for a cheap pony ride Our reason for loaning was two fold 1) we weren't sure he would want to do it long term & I don't want to be one of those pushy parents or have an expensive field ornament 2) they out grow so quickly. Its a sensible and cost effective way to give children the opportunity to experience having their own pony and not just riding lessons which I don't think give a good enough grounding to own their own.

The other bonus for me is that I got to be around horses again which I love.

 

[Billabongchick]

Insurance! Just in case!

 

[Star_Chaser]

You should have insurance for the yard and the horse but they should have insurance for their child. If under 5 which is the standard for most to start there is a company that offers sports insurance that covers horse riding.

 

[hannah90]

horseloaner, do you have another child and live near me ? you sound like the sort of sharer i want ! I was going to say they can have 3 days, which ever they want really as my kids can use her around them, as they are not that interested.

And billabongchick, am going to check with my insurance, and sort that out so i know everyone involved is covered !

 

[Billabongchick]

Its a sensible and cost effective way to give children the opportunity to experience having their own pony and not just riding lessons which I don't think give a good enough grounding to own their own.

^This! I got fed up of watching my other halfs kids walking round and round on a leading rein and getting one chance to trot/canter and if it failed then that was it - chance over! Riding schools can be good for initial confidence but the 'kiddy catering' ones round here don't tend to give them much freedom to progress. Sharing and me teaching meant they could learn more on a one to one basis on a non kick-along pony that would be safe but teach them to be more than just a passenger. And that they could learn to tack up, pick feet etc. If OP is not using the pony much then it could work out really well for both parties!

 

[hannah90]

You should have insurance for the yard and the horse but they should have insurance for their child. If under 5 which is the standard for most to start there is a company that offers sports insurance that covers horse riding.

I have insurance on yard and all my horses are covered, but i get them to sort out the child ? i have never looked into any of this as you can probably tell !

 

[OFG]

Beware the parents

I tried this years ago with a 10.2 dartmoor and got the parents from hell (twice).

One family came with full enterage and the other was a totally overbearing woman who tried to steam roller me.

Get a contract written up (can PM you one if you would like). Get them to contribute towards shoeing / trimming if nothing else. Advise them to get rider insurance.

Set yard rules and get them to sign up to them.

Tried last year to get an older girl to come ride my son's pony as she wasn't being used enough (only hacking in walk / trot). Girls mum was fine with the arrangement until I produced a contract / rules etc and then I never heard from them again. Why anyone would think I would let my pony be just taken out on the roads etc without a form of agreement in writing is beyond me.

I am sure there are some lovely people out there who would like to have a share in a pony but I have yet to come across them (or maybe I just seem to attract all the odd / mad ones )

 

[hannah90]

i am a bit worried about parents ! Il take my OH to meet people, he doesn't mind being upfront and telling people how it is, he can tell them my list of rules !

Horseloaner and billabongchick, it was the same for me as a kid, had lessons for a few years, but then got bored as it was the same thing every week, and not cheap either ! The mare is a great pony, not a kick along, but never silly. Just seems a shame to not use her, we bred her, had her professionally broken as she was for the kids, and shes hardly been used since.Nice to see someone get some enjoyment out of her.
Have to find some photos for her ad now !

 

[Honey08]

We loaned out our 12h section A after my stepson outgrew him. She stayed on our yard, we fed and turned her out in the mornings, and provided haylage and straw. They did all the rest, including insurance for the pony and themselves.

It worked quite well at first, but then the parents took the mick a bit, dropping the child off and expecting me or hubby to escort her on hacks when we took stepson out (we didn't mind but would have been nice to be asked), and we often ended up feeding her too as they didn't come back for her for hours. Also we ended up ferrying her to pc and shows without much thanks, which often involved two journeys as we were already taking a friend and her son. Again, very little thanks. In the end the child broke her hand at school and they hardly came near. It was summer, but the pony still needed checking. I kept suggesting they led the pony out to give it some exercise, but they never did. In the end we gave them notice, which resulted in the mother giving me a big "you've let my child down" speach and never speaking to me again. Ironically the child is more mature and always says hello and chats when I see her.

Prior to her, another little girl rode her, my instructor/friend's daughter, and that worked great. Different type of parents altogether..

 

[lady_annabelle]

Mine is part loaned to two different people and I have my two days still for my little boy. Both are contracted to a lesson a week with a teacher that is deemed competent luckily my yard owner is brill and both have her. I always say that they need to ask to bring up anyone but generally they do anyone as are very nice people I pay for vet bills but they pay towards feet stable and shavings and all works well

 

[hannah90]

Mine is part loaned to two different people and I have my two days still for my little boy. Both are contracted to a lesson a week with a teacher that is deemed competent luckily my yard owner is brill and both have her. I always say that they need to ask to bring up anyone but generally they do anyone as are very nice people I pay for vet bills but they pay towards feet stable and shavings and all works well

its nice to hear that it works for some people !
hopefully i will find nice ones too !

 

[Frozen Hoof Boots]

This is the sort of option I'm after for my two kids who I want to teach, take for less rein walks and plenty of grooming and petting. They've sat on my 16'3 on the lunge, no reins, hold the saddle, just teaching balance, halts, few steps trot and back to walk. They've had a few lessons but feel they would progress better on a 1-1 with me teaching on a familiar pony to get to know, love and trust.

 

[Dubsie]

There are good people out there, well I think we were good! We found via a tack shop advert that the SecA at the end of our road was in need of a rider.
Owner did all chores, we paid £50/month & half the shoes (as needed back ones with the amount of road work we did tween field and our house. We had an instructor each week as initially the pony was great then remebered aversion to work tactics it had used with a previous loaner! She rode every day if possible, with all the riding at our field as owner hasn't much land. Any other friends wanting to ride/visit were by prior notification, and we had our own insurance.
In time we got a trailer and took her to shows, again in consultation with owner who often came to watch. My daughter did quite well with her in dressage and showing as well as showjumping, but a year on we knew it wouldn't be for much longer as my daughter started knocking poles with her feet not the pony!
We tried to find a successor without much luck, the problem is it's very busy roads and nowhere much to ride round here, you need transport really (which we could help with being round the corner and doing all the Pony Club stuff) . Sadly outgrown, this now well schooled pony has sat in the field doing not a lot ever since. Every now and then my daughter does pop round for a ride, and the pony has not forgotten her work she still rides and behaves beautifully. Would suit from lead rein onwards, there's a good local instructor or could probably ride at the local riding school which is in hacking distance, it's just a shame there don't seem to be the little kids about that want to ride, even the owners grandchildren rarely do more than the odd half hour sit on in the holidays!

 

[Jenni_]

As Kat said, if someone hadn't given a horse mad little girl a chance, I probably wouldn't be riding now.

You just have to find the right person!