Question about offered riding

The Fuzzy Furry

The Fuzzy Furry

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To those who get offered rides on friends spare horses if your mount is off games, do you take gifts, or anything? Owner says no need as am helping to keep fit.
Its looking possible that I might possibly have a mount to ride through the summer 2 or 3 times a week, about 20 mins drive from my yard.
Obs I still have mine to do, but wasn't sure if I should offer to help her, but she has 7 to poo pick daily, I only have the 2. I'm really not wanting to regularly get into loads of hefting barrows around as my back wont cope.
Advice pse as not been in this situation before, ta 🙂
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
To those who get offered rides on friends spare horses if your mount is off games, do you take gifts, or anything? Owner says no need as am helping to keep fit.
Its looking possible that I might possibly have a mount to ride through the summer 2 or 3 times a week, about 20 mins drive from my yard.
Obs I still have mine to do, but wasn't sure if I should offer to help her, but she has 7 to poo pick daily, I only have the 2. I'm really not wanting to regularly get into loads of hefting barrows around as my back wont cope.
Advice pse as not been in this situation before, ta 🙂
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For infrequent favours I find a bottle of wine is regarded as pretty much legal tender here!
If it's likely to be regular and all summer I'd find something she uses regularly & chip in for it. eg could you buy a tub of the supplement she uses or have a look if her fly spray is getting low etc. To be honest if it was me lending you the horse I'd say "don't worry about paying" but I'd be pleased if something appeared !
 
When I had lots of horses I was just happy to have someone helping me exercise them, so no.

Presently my YO is without a horse so she hacks mine once a week and has an occasional lesson on her. I've noticed she's done a bit of poo picking for me. I hate poo picking more than anything, I'd sooner muck out 20 stables than poo picking, so it suits me well 😀
 
ihatework said:
Nope, but then I’m never usually desperate for a ride and I’m getting my arm twisted to be a free exercise rider!
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I did have my arm twisted as the mount isnt a type I'd ever usually look at, or get on. Am not desperate to ride, but the plea came along the lines as she's having trouble keeping 3 in full work as her day job is nuts at present, I'd be doing her the favour.
I was pleasantly surprised when I got on tho!

Edited to add, I'd usually be charging for doing this.
 
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I wouldn't mind someone riding Rigs, and the repayment would be that they turned up on time, were pleasant, got on with it, did some grooming and left the place tidy, and left promptly afterwards unless specifically asked to stay coffee housing.

I guess, if it was working well for them, a bottle of wine would be nice.
 
Over the years I've been offered a fair few free rides but it is generally in a mutually beneficial scenario so I've never offered to pay. I'll groom horse, feed and water if required and do some occasional extras like tack cleaning or tidying up mane and tail. I'll sometimes get the horse a small "gift" such as a fly veil, but that's it.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
I did have my arm twisted as the mount isnt a type I'd ever usually look at, or get on. Am not desperate to ride, but the plea came along the lines as she's having trouble keeping 3 in full work as her day job is nuts at present, I'd be doing her the favour.
I was pleasantly surprised when I got on tho!

Edited to add, I'd usually be charging for doing this.
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Does she know you'd usually be charging?

Not charging her IS the gift, surely!
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
She does, as when she 1st asked - I said (in a very smiley way) that I'd have to charge double despite being an older work rider (effective but not always pretty).
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Well I don't think I'd be stressing too much then about what to gift her or how else to help her! Maybe when the arrangement comes to an end you could think about a gift, perhaps for the horse rather than her?
 
My rule of thumb is if someone approaches me about riding their horse when they can’t I don’t offer extras or gifts or whatever. If I approach them because they look like they need help, I’ll offer more than just riding help.

Agree with wine or something at the end of the arrangement.
 
If they are happy with no payment could you just do some of the poo picking, tack cleaning or wash saddle pads etc.

As a busy working owner I'd be thrilled if someone did a wheelbarrow or two of poo picking or helped organise clean saddle pads etc.

Edited: I meant to add if they know your usual arrangement and are happy with you turning up to help, I don't think you should feel like you 'have' to do anything. X
 
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The Fuzzy Furry said:
I did have my arm twisted as the mount isnt a type I'd ever usually look at, or get on. Am not desperate to ride, but the plea came along the lines as she's having trouble keeping 3 in full work as her day job is nuts at present, I'd be doing her the favour.
I was pleasantly surprised when I got on tho!

Edited to add, I'd usually be charging for doing this.
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In this case I wouldn't be giving her anything, you are giving up your time to exercise her horse and help keep it fit, it is also costing you money in fuel to get there and back to do it.
I'd just groom horse after ride and put away her tack wiped down and clean.
 
I currently ride one to help out as owner away a lot. I offer to pull manes and tails, check him if they're not there etc. Just little things. No point in offering wine etc as they're v rich so have really expensive things!
 
Daughter and I currently ride a couple of horses owned by a local family which is lovely as coblet is out of action. We always poo pick a barrow and leave a nominal fiver on the side in the stable!
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
I did have my arm twisted as the mount isnt a type I'd ever usually look at, or get on. Am not desperate to ride, but the plea came along the lines as she's having trouble keeping 3 in full work as her day job is nuts at present, I'd be doing her the favour.
I was pleasantly surprised when I got on tho!

Edited to add, I'd usually be charging for doing this.
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That paints it in a different light, i thought you had been looking for a ride.
i wouldnt be expecting anything if i was the owner
 
Thanks all, we had a good chat this morning whilst riding and she absolutely doesnt want anything, is just pleased he is working.
Also discussed that it might be easier for all if he got dropped off to camp at mine while she's v hectic, then at least he will get worked 6 x a week, I might get more fit again too! 🙂
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Thanks all, we had a good chat this morning whilst riding and she absolutely doesnt want anything, is just pleased he is working.
Also discussed that it might be easier for all if he got dropped off to camp at mine while she's v hectic, then at least he will get worked 6 x a week, I might get more fit again too! 🙂
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Sounds a great outcome for all :)
 
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