Share/part loan horse - Advice please

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Heidi_Rose

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Hi everyone, I'm after some advice please. I've just recently started a horse share, he's a 13'2hh pony, lives out all year with a Shetland as a companion. The set up is a field that the owner rents from a farmer. The share is for 2 days a week, one day poo picking, and the other day, riding/groundwork. Its only early days, but so far the riding has been only with the owner walking alongside and for about half an hour after work as she has young children and can't be around very much. The contract does state only riding under the supervision of the owner - does this sound like a proper share to you? I've shared once in the past and I did 3 days where the pony was mine to ride and look after on my set days.

I'm a fairly novice rider, but I've been riding on and off over the years, so I'm not a beginner by any means, but this just doesn't seem enough to me, especially as I'm paying £35 per week - what do you think?
 
I'd not carry on with that arrangement in your position. You're paying £35 for half an hour riding (in walk?) as well as having the pleasure of poo picking...Nope!

I'd put that £35 to a lesson somewhere, or find another share.

For perspective, when I shared my gelding I asked for a contribution of £150 a month, with 3 days a week unsupervised riding. Ability to take horses to fun rides, shows, etc. Jobs and poo picking on their days only.
 
The only way that I've heard of that is if the sharer is a child and non horsey parents.

If you really like the horse and want to stick with it, is there any scope to have lessons with an instructor on this horse at all? Owner might relax a bit and good for you to see if you gel with the horse riding wise.

On the other day, is it strictly only poo picking or can you bring horse in to groom, lunge etc?

In all honesty though like everyone else has said here, dosent sound like your getting much out of it, maybe look for another better suited share x
 
If you really like the horse then maybe you could ask the owner if you will be able to ride solo and incorporate more on your rides once she’s content with your abilities with her horse.

But I would expect to poo pick on both days as well as ride and if half an hour in walk once a week supervised is all she will allow then there’s no way I’d be paying for that.
 
You're paying £140 and approximately 2 hours of labour (poo picking) a month for 2 hours riding in walk.
For that money, you can do something productive weekly with a local riding school, and not have any chores either.

Owner is taking you for a ride, and not the kind you want, walk away.
 
I've posted on a similar share thread about the costs we used to pay for my daughter to "share" our YO's cob 1 day/week which was £15/day for which she could hack out for as long as she liked or do a gentle schooling session in the grass school or field in the summer, and do all the jobs as he was on DIY livery. I'll be honest at first the YO always accompanied her either on foot or on another pony but as she could see she was responsible she was able to go out alone or with me walking/riding alongside. I wouldn't write it off yet especially if you like the horse but have the conversation that you'd like a bit more freedom to go out alone and for longer? then i'll think you'll know if its something worth devoting your time, money and efforts into or to look for another share?
 
My sharer pays £20 a week, she comes after school twice a week and every Sunday and only mucks out & poo picks on a Sunday. Horse is old and just a hack/ can be lightly ridden in the school (we have our own school). £35 is a lot for a small pony that's living out, the owner's costs are probably minimal and I wouldn't be surprised if you're covering most of not all of it.
 
Hi, welcome to the forum. :)

If everything about this suits you (local to you, nice pony etc) , maybe ask for a discussion & explain that you had expected more riding for the money.
If nothing is going to change definitely end it. For £35 and no chores you can get an hour's riding elsewhere.
 
Not read all the replies but you could spend more time poo picking than riding- normally, someone could be paid to do that- not the other way round!
I don’t think the current arrangement is giving you value for money to be honest.
 
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