RS horse share - advice

[jenniehodges2001]

£250 a month seems very steep! I pay less than half that on a private share. I go up at least 4 times a week, I can school or hack and I get the opportunity to compete too.
If you're on Facebook try joining one of the loan/share groups or your local equine group. Failing that- Preloved are good for rider/sharer wanted ads.

I agree. I pay less than that per month on assisted DIY with my own horse in a massive stable, individual paddock, grass canter, 65 x 45 menage, SJ's, horsewalker, solarium and lorry parking. I know it's not really comparable as I also have a zillion other overheads but even so.

 

[SEL]

I'd start to look on your local FB horsey group a for a private share. That's a lot of money to not ride an over worked horse! I've been on livery at a RS which had a similar arrangement and if the sharer was up for their 1/2 day at the weekend the horse was taken out of lessons so the sharer could ride. Cheaper than your deal too!

 

[vixeyann]

I agree. I pay less than that per month on assisted DIY with my own horse in a massive stable, individual paddock, grass canter, 65 x 45 menage, SJ's, horsewalker, solarium and lorry parking. I know it's not really comparable as I also have a zillion other overheads but even so.

Yard sounds lush!

 

[vixeyann]

I'd start to look on your local FB horsey group a for a private share. That's a lot of money to not ride an over worked horse! I've been on livery at a RS which had a similar arrangement and if the sharer was up for their 1/2 day at the weekend the horse was taken out of lessons so the sharer could ride. Cheaper than your deal too!

That seems very fair. It should be a two way street of being accommodating.

 

[9tails]

Wow, £250 per month to do the donkey work and watch others ride during your slot? The RS is making a killing!

TBH, this horse sounds sour. She may be lovely when you do finally get hands on her, but it's a lot of money to shell out only to worry if you're going to get near her on your allotted days. Nevermind the added concern that she's already done her quota for that day.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would look for something else it's not really fair they are already being paid by you for that horse but can't make she has a slot for you to ride, that's not on and quite cheeky to think they can get away with that.

 

[ester]

If you have weekday daylight availability I would be surprised if you couldn't find a suitable horse privately at this time of year.

 

[Wishfilly]

What you are paying does sound very steep. I know a riding school doing similar due to coronavirus and they are charging £150pcm, and would always ensure you got to ride on your allotted days. They also have onsite hacking so can allow people to hack out without a member of staff present.

I would start looking for private shares or other set ups, because honestly this sounds like you are getting a raw deal. I also think sharing a horse you can't always catch is very likely to get miserable quickly.

Chances are, if you are on a busy livery yard, there would be someone available to ask for help if you needed it, and it's very possible you could find a share where the owner was around at times if you wanted the back up. Have a look on pre-loved/facebook and see what's available in your area!

 

[atropa]

I definitely don't think you're being unreasonable OP!
You're paying probably at least double what most private shares would cost, and not even getting to ride on your days, but doing all the work for the riding school!
They really should be taking into account that you have certain days booked with her and reducing her workload so you can actually ride.

Yes with a private share you may not be able to ride if horse is lame, has the vet etc but not being able to ride because the professional establishment you're essentially hiring her from has overworked her is ridiculous.

You sound like a very caring and reasonable person and I'm sure anyone looking for a sharer would be lucky to have you. You don't happen to be located in Scotland do you?

 

[ApolloStorm]

£250 a month for this kind of arrangement seems extortionate! I don’t pay this much a month to keep my own horse on a DIY yard with an indoor, outdoor and hacking to the beach! Infact I think all of his regular monthly outgoings come to less than that in total Feed/insurance/farrier/physio! I’ve been a sharer in the past and I’ve paid anything from £25 a week to £40, I’ve once shared an RDA horse and he was always available to ride all day on my days, I could have lessons, hack out (although my age at the time meant it had to be in company).
personally if you’re not in a position to own your own, then I’d definitely be looking for a private share, though I’ve know a few owners who just couldn’t let the horses go a bit so micro managed. But I’ve also had a few really lovely ones, infact I’m still friends with the share I had just before buying my own- and I sometimes still ride him if she’s short on time.

 

[Annagain]

You're not in East Yorkshire are you? It sounds like you and @conniegirl's pony could be the perfect match!

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/why-is-it-sharers.795982/#post-14425382

 

[9tails]

I reckon we all want to know where this paragon sharer is located!

 

[Boots*McGruber]

It sounds like the RS getting paid twice for the same session as you are paying to ride her but someone else is also paying to ride her on the same days. However it probably isn't intentional, they are likely too busy to count how many days you are riding. Have you tried having a chat with them and explaining the problem and asking them to come up with a solution?