Share, ride and enjoy MY horse for free...

The basis of a successful share is when both parties are happy with the outcome. There is always some sort of payment in play, be it in terms of either money or services. My mare had sharers when she became a happy hack in retirement. My sharers were lovely, wanted a hack and contributed to her costs. When one moved away, I took on another who was unreliable and messed me around so I stopped with her. I do think some sort of contribution is fair if the rider is enjoying the horse. If the horse needed proper schooling on or sorting out, then I would be expecting to have to pay myself.
 
Yes, of course a sharer should be making a contribution in exchange for riding - the only disagreement seems to be whether that must always be financial (which is what QB seems to be saying) or whether than contribution is in time (helping to exercise the horse, providing care) or in skills (improving the horse).

If it works for the owner, sharer and horse involved it is, frankly, no-one else's business exactly what that arrangement is. Certainly it isn't something that can be dictated - every arrangement will be different.

If I could find a competent rider to hack my horse, there's no way I'd ask for money. They'd be offering time and confidence that I don't have - an excellent deal for me even if I am covering all costs!
 
Yes, of course a sharer should be making a contribution in exchange for riding - the only disagreement seems to be whether that must always be financial (which is what QB seems to be saying) or whether than contribution is in time (helping to exercise the horse, providing care) or in skills (improving the horse).

If it works for the owner, sharer and horse involved it is, frankly, no-one else's business exactly what that arrangement is. Certainly it isn't something that can be dictated - every arrangement will be different.

If I could find a competent rider to hack my horse, there's no way I'd ask for money. They'd be offering time and confidence that I don't have - an excellent deal for me even if I am covering all costs!
 
JFTD said:
See, QB, you say your chap is not for share to be trained, or to train a rider. My take on it is that every single time someone sits on my horse, they're training it - well, or poorly, intentionally or otherwise. I also believe that every rider should be learning something from every horse - otherwise, what the heck is the point, and, more so, what the devil are they even doing up there, because nobody (not even Andrew Nicholson's thighs) knows everything.

Thus, I do not let anyone ride my horses other than in my presence. If I did, I would only make them available to someone with the skill and tact to ensure the training which they are, always, undergoing is positive. That is more important to me than any financial contribution - money is nothing, when compared with the importance of the training, nature and sanity of my horses - who are a combined 14 years worth of work, blood, sweat, tears and more.

If I required a sharer, I would not prioritise a financial contribution. If a good rider - and there are some on here who have spoken out in favour of free shares in the past - were available, and did not wish to contribute financially, I would be very grateful for their skill set. I wouldn't consider any sharer who I didn't feel would contribute positively to my horses' experience and training, regardless of what they were willing to pay.
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FfionWinnie said:
I totally agree with this. For me the money is not important and if i needed it to maintain my horses I wouldn't have them. Give me a good rider who will at least maintain but hopefully improve the horse every ride, over any amount of money. My horses are all pleasant to ride and well schooled but any time someone else is riding them I want to over see what is happening to be sure they aren't *un* training them.
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JFTD - No, that is correct when I look for a sharer I am not looking for a trainer - what I mean by this is that I would never actively look for a sharer with the ultimate aim of lets say - teaching my horse to jump, or to hack out or turn him into a stressage beast. If I specifically wanted my horse trained in a specific area that I was incapable of doing for whatever reason - I would most definitely employ a pro. That said, lets say for example that you were sharing the beast and you approached me and asked if you could train him for some polocrosse - now, its not something that I would have particularly looked to train him in, and certainly would not have looked to share him so that someone could train him to do that, but as a capable and experienced rider, if as a sharer that was something you wished to do - I would be willing to consider letting a sharer do that for their own enjoyment.

I also agree, that whenever we get on a horse we are to some extent training it, but to my mind, there is a huge difference between training it to do something that is brand new to the horse and reinforcing training on something already existing. For me, I generally look for a rider that is competent in all areas - if they want to school/jump or compete - that is fine for me, but if all they want to do is hack - that too is fine... I don't look for a rider who is going to improve the monetary or ridden value of my horse.

Yes, we are all learning, it would be arrogant to believe that one knows everything, but again, whilst there is nothing wrong with wanting to improve ones knowlege, experience and ability - and I support that in an rider - my horse is not actively put up for share to improve someone else, if that is their sole aim in sharing - it is rather rude for them to state that they wish to do so solely at my expense.

With regards to what is more important - a sharer or the contribution you will see that at no point did I indicate that sharing was more about the money for me-

Loaning a horse for me is not something I take lightly and it is certainly about finding a good match for my horse as opposed to having any help to foot the bill. But I do expect a contribution, and I actually feel that often it follows that the calibre of loaner inquiries is far better than if offering a freebie
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I have a very good friend, sadly she moved away but she is ben's second mummy, she came to stay for 10 days and I had a marvelous week off, she rode him, mucked out, poo-picked and competed him... If she were here and I was looking to share at the moment - I would have no hesitation letting her ride for free (aside from the fact that she would want to contribute).

My problem isn't with free-loans vs paid loans per say, its with those sharers/loaners who expect it as their right.
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My horse, means the absolute world to me too JFTD, different methods and attitudes about people riding my horse makes him no less important to me than your boys to you. anyone riding the beast does so under my watchful eye and only when/if I am 100% confident and comfortable will they be allowed to ride him without me there, at which point one of the 2 women I trust more than anyone with my horse - my good friend and YO has her beady eye firmly on them as do others who ride out with them in company.
 
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Theocat said:
Yes, of course a sharer should be making a contribution in exchange for riding - the only disagreement seems to be whether that must always be financial (which is what QB seems to be saying) or whether than contribution is in time (helping to exercise the horse, providing care) or in skills (improving the horse).

If it works for the owner, sharer and horse involved it is, frankly, no-one else's business exactly what that arrangement is. Certainly it isn't something that can be dictated - every arrangement will be different.

If I could find a competent rider to hack my horse, there's no way I'd ask for money. They'd be offering time and confidence that I don't have - an excellent deal for me even if I am covering all costs!
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Almost but not quite Theocat - if you check out the post above you will see that under certain circumstances owner/horse/sharer and situation dependent - the exchange does not always have to include money - I do always put on any sharer ad 'small financial contribution required, but this is always negotiable for both parties, sometimes as little as contribution towards shoes, or if my friend was living down here I would let her ride for free. certainly there is the expectation from me that if someone rides my horse they muck out his stable. And during the first 2-4 weeks whilst everyone is essentially testing out the situation. No contribution is ever expected.

As I said in my previous posts, I have no issue whatsoever with free vs paid loans - it is the attitude of entitlement from some, those that believe they should not contribute, and that believe that they are doing the owner a favour and do not recognise that the same can be said of the owner. As JFTD pointed out from a different standpoint - our horses are so incredibly special, and a lot of time, blood, sweat and tears goes into caring for them. No one shares their horse lightly and it is not a god given right that someone can ride them for free.
 
OP, I've no idea what prompted this post but I have to say that you sound like the loaner from hell, sorry. I can completely understand that you wouldn't let anyone ride your horse until you'd seen them ride a few times and satisfied yourself that they were competent, sympathetic and sensible but when you go on to say that, in your absence, "...my good friend and YO has her beady eye firmly on them as do others who ride out with them in company" I'm afraid that sounds horrible. If someone, well several fellow liveries in this case, had their 'beady eye' on me whenever I rode I'd soon stop riding. How stressful it must be for your sharers :(
 
Snowy Celandine said:
OP, I've no idea what prompted this post but I have to say that you sound like the loaner from hell, sorry. I can completely understand that you wouldn't let anyone ride your horse until you'd seen them ride a few times and satisfied yourself that they were competent, sympathetic and sensible but when you go on to say that, in your absence, "...my good friend and YO has her beady eye firmly on them as do others who ride out with them in company" I'm afraid that sounds horrible. If someone, well several fellow liveries in this case, had their 'beady eye' on me whenever I rode I'd soon stop riding. How stressful it must be for your sharers :(
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Interestingly, my YO is the kind of person that gives her time up to teach the pc kids, when sj, she is in there leading/running with the kids. When people have a meltdown - or are struggling, she is the absolute first person there helping them, she cares for people, she looks at everyone at the yard as her family, if someone behind my back were to abuse my horse - I would damned well want to know about it, and she would damned well tell me about it. On the flipside, if someone was struggling with anything - she would be there and help them, she is not a tittle tattle, she is not the kind of person who would blatently sit and watch you riding around the school - but, if she witnessed anything that was inappropriate - of course I would be told. To be fair I have been incredibly lucky with regards to who shares my horse - but on the odd times that something has happened that I would not be happy about I have been informed so that I can resolve the issue - for example, under the advice of another livery (old yard) a sharer changed to a harsher bit for my horse. Now the sharer in question was and is a good friend, a lovely gentle rider, but my contract specifically said no changes unless authorised by me - the reason being that I ended up bronched off after putting a grackle on her years before, and knew her to fight like fury against anything restrictive or too severe. It gave me the opportunity to not only tear a strip off the livery who interfered with my horse and risked both horse and rider. As for the sharer, I simply had a conversation with her, explained why this must not happen and that it was in the best interests of both her and my horse. The share continued on absolutely fine.

I have people who look out for my horse, just as I would look out for there's. I do not see the problem in that, they are all wonderful supportive people at my yard, who would gladly provide any sharer with support and assistance if needed/asked, but will not hesistate to tell me if my sharer does something untoward, whilst that is extremely rare, it is nice to know that its there. Whether it be considered a north eye, or a beady eye... whether you think that makes me a bad owner - I couldn't care less, I have never fallen out with any loaner/sharer, and still remain excellent friends with those who have part loaned or shared my horses.
 
To be fair, QB, I didn't say (or even imply) that you care less for your beast than I do for mine - purely that we have different ideas of what is important in ownership and (hypothetical) sharing. I am also, I think we're probably agreed, a lot more evangelical about certain aspects of niche training (biomechanics and classical dressage) than you are, so my perspective will be skewed by that.

I would also worry that people might expect to satisfy their ego, or try to get "value for money" in their rides on my horse (as many owners seem to with their own) because they're paying for it, and are thus entitled to push the horse beyond the benefit to the horse itself.

But I stand by my post - financial contributions are neither here nor there for me - I am only interested in their skill and (more importantly) tact on the horse.
 
QB, you are obviously a very defensive person and seem to want to pick an argument but, sadly, I can't be bothered to answer all your points because most of them refer to things I never actually said. Maybe some people don't mind being constantly under the watchful eye of half the yard simply because you don't trust them and are always on the lookout for them abusing your horse?

Personally, I feel that begs the questions, "Why on earth have you chosen this person as a sharer"/"Why have a sharer at all if you and a team of others have to be always on the qui vive", unless you can't afford your horse without a financial contribution from others? Best of luck to you and them though if they are happy to be under the microscope every time they set foot on the yard :D
 
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Snowy Celandine said:
QB, you are obviously a very defensive person and seem to want to pick an argument but, sadly, I can't be bothered to answer all your points because most of them refer to things I never actually said. Maybe some people don't mind being constantly under the watchful eye of half the yard simply because you don't trust them and are always on the lookout for them abusing your horse?

Personally, I feel that begs the questions, "Why on earth have you chosen this person as a sharer"/"Why have a sharer at all if you and a team of others have to be always on the qui vive", unless you can't afford your horse without a financial contribution from others? Best of luck to you and them though if they are happy to be under the microscope every time they set foot on the yard :D
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Oh for christ sake grow up - no one said anything about actively watching a sharer looking for signs of abuse, and no - you are right - if that is how I felt - I would not ever have a sharer at all. I don't allow a sharer to ride my horse unless I believe they can be trusted with my horse. But that is never guarenteed and people can do the wrong things with the best will in the world. for example, some misguided but well meaning soul may start reading about NH and decide to try their new found interest out on my horse. Or lets take a more beast specific issue - they may think it would be a fun thing to take him in the school and loose school him - whilst this is not 'abuse' and is something I thoroughly enjoyed doing with my old horses it is positively dangerous with him. I am not the type of person who comes over all psycho on someone, but under such circumstances I would certainly rather know than not know - in order that the sharer and I could have a frank conversation about why it was not appropriate and move forward so that everyone was happy.

As for my finances - they do not concern me, If I could not afford a horse I would not have a horse. And they certainly are none of your concern. I guess the posts where I specifically say that money is never my motivation or primary goal - and that I have nothing against allowing the right person to ride for free must have completely passed you by!

And no, not under the microscope at all they would get as much or as little support and encouragement from a bunch of great people as they wanted. But if something drastic or concerning did occur it would be flagged up. No different than if another livery was feeding my horse treats without my permission or the time I was made aware that another liveries husband was punching ben in the face as a youngster - I would always expect that if someone witnessed anything being done along those lines too my horse by anyone, it would be flagged up to me. Clearly you would not.

have to say that you sound like the loaner from hell, sorry.... How stressful it must be for your sharers
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I think I am allowed to defend myself from such rudeness
 
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JFTD said:
To be fair, QB, I didn't say (or even imply) that you care less for your beast than I do for mine - purely that we have different ideas of what is important in ownership and (hypothetical) sharing. I am also, I think we're probably agreed, a lot more evangelical about certain aspects of niche training (biomechanics and classical dressage) than you are, so my perspective will be skewed by that.

I would also worry that people might expect to satisfy their ego, or try to get "value for money" in their rides on my horse (as many owners seem to with their own) because they're paying for it, and are thus entitled to push the horse beyond the benefit to the horse itself.

But I stand by my post - financial contributions are neither here nor there for me - I am only interested in their skill and (more importantly) tact on the horse.
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You are right JFTD you did not, sorry - and yes our focuses are different - I can see how this would come into play. The value for money issue - I completely get where you are coming from, but I also feel that those types of people who try to push the horse would do so irrespective of money.

For me, the key focuses are always core strength, ability, experience and that they are unphased by forward horses - especially when considering the beast! And whilst, yes - my approach is to ask for a contribution - as I said, I am always willing to negotiate on that or negate it completely if appropriate. But, I would rather be the one to make that decision, rather than it be expected of me by the potential loaner.
 
It sounds like this expectation to ride for free as the sharer is either helping exercise a horse and or doing jobs freeing up the owners time has become more common. In some cases I think this valid for example if there is restrictions on what the horse can do, for example light hacking on week days only, no jumping, or the horse is tricky so requires a rider who would be riding at professional level or the facilities where the horses are kept limit what you can do, for example no school, or no off road hacking.

However if you have a nice riding club all rounder the type that is so hard to find and that so many people want the flexibility for the sharer to do a range of activities and compete then this is a good deal. These sorts of horses are hard to find even if you wanted to buy one and they don't come that cheap. It is probably an easier ride than a RS horse and you get to do more activities as well. It is a great opportunity for someone who does not have the time or funds to buy and compete this sort of horse.

Unless things have changed dramatically since I last shared 10 years ago most people looking to share are not people who have worked with horses or who have ridden at professional level. Most sharers do not have the same skills as a professional rider or groom, so even if they are riding or caring for the horse enabling the owner to have a day off, they may not be of the same skill level as the professional and may need some supervision/training, so in most cases so it not comparing like with like in terms with the service the sharer is providing compared to professional services.

If you are such a competent rider that you think you could get paid to ride and the owner would get more out of the share situation than you would and you want to ride for free perhaps a traditional paid for share is not really right for you. Put an advert out saying you ride at a level where you would normally be paid for this work but you will be willing to ride for free in return for doing stable chores and see what response you get.
 
Someone suffers with trust issues methinks ...

Time to bow out now because I've noticed before that you never like to be questioned OP so I will leave you and your espionage team to get on with the job in peace :p
 
Snowy Celandine said:
Someone suffers with trust issues methinks ...

Time to bow out now because I've noticed before that you never like to be questioned OP so I will leave you and your espionage team to get on with the job in peace :p
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you are very welcome to your opinion thank god neither of us have to suffer the other. I have no issues with being questioned or having a debate with a well rounded individual who provides excellent debate and challenges ones opinions, beliefs and attitude in a productive and thought-provoking an educated/informed manner. However, someone who simply gets pleasure from insulting others and takes offense at the other person standing up for their beliefs - I simply have very little time for those kind of people... so feel free to bow away. Espionage? I cant imagine who you think I would be spying on, but feel free to continue along with your delusions.
 
Ha ha, you are right my dear, about all things at all times :) I am now backing out of the thread whilst tugging my forelock :D That's not a CCTV camera you've got pointing at me is it? :p
 
I'm waiting for knee replacement surgery so can't ride my horse, I didn't want to sell her as she is my forever horse. I advertised on our local equestrian Facebook page and found myself a lovely lady who checks her daily rides several times a week and loves her like I do.

I still pay grazing, farrier, feed and vet fees. I would like a contribution but for me I'm glad I have someone who can fill in for me while I'm out of action.
 
Snowy Celandine said:
Ha ha, you are right my dear, about all things at all times :) I am now backing out of the thread whilst tugging my forelock :D That's not a CCTV camera you've got pointing at me is it? :p
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nope, currently one CCTV camera is set to Tom Hardy's house and my other one set to KFC - still desperately trying to work out the original recipe ingredients :p sorry to disappoint :P
 
My experience is certainly of non-paid shares, both for myself and others. I have been sharer, sharee and paid a friend of an equivalent standard (so not pro standard but doing a bit if freelancing) to hack my horse in the winter.

But on thinking about it I do think most if not all of the arrangements I know about have come about through word of mouth or the sharee advertising rather than people responding to adverts. Having yet to have an issue to find riding since I was 17 paying for general riding is just outside of my general experience and expectations. No one has ever asked me to pay, just thanked me for riding a horse they were unable to/hadn't the time too, caring for it as I would my own, not ragging it about etc especially when unfit and being able to deal with any issues arising.

It is often referred to as a step up from riding school without the commitment of a horse but again all those I know who have shared have previously had their own horse and hence are very capable of taking sole charge.

Frank's sharer I was happier that there was good YO on the yard who could have helped her with any issues as she didnt have that level of experience but was a big help to me again, hacking out in winter during a time in his life where he didn't need to be schooling too much. She was welcome to school him if she liked but preferred not to which suited everyone. Someone else is riding him now, she probably wouldn't be happy to take him out on her own but Mum is quite happy to even have him tacked up and ready for her because she otherwise struggles to get two ridden and is always happy to have someone's ear she can chew off :p. I have also always taken great pleasure in knowing that my pony, who I have worked hard on is sufficiently well schooled and behave to give others enjoyment. I felt absolutely awful the day I had to take him away from the Wiltshire sharer and we were both in floods of tears!
 
Queenbee said:
The value for money issue - I completely get where you are coming from, but I also feel that those types of people who try to push the horse would do so irrespective of money.
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They're also [one of ]the reason I don't have sharers in the first place, and wouldn't advertise for one if I needed someone to keep a horse in work. I'd either work from my own network of people, or pay a professional (because I am a control freak!).
 
JFTD said:
They're also [one of ]the reason I don't have sharers in the first place, and wouldn't advertise for one if I needed someone to keep a horse in work. I'd either work from my own network of people, or pay a professional (because I am a control freak!).
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I think people would always prefer someone they know, or someone else knows.
Had I stayed in wiltshire while sending F back to somerset I had 3 offers on the table, all of which would have included competing if I wanted and all in the same village I was living in. It's just how connections work I guess.
 
My sharer is dedicated and tries hard to do things correctly. She gave up riding at 11 after losing her finger tip in a lead rope. My horse has been a bit of a madam and so I've given a few lessons to help sort problems. This sharer is not ambiteous, just would like to take horse to adult riding club rallies and enjoy hacks.

Suits me fine.
 
I don't have sharers now. I did try once, because people just out of riding schools aren't going to get enough experience to buy their own horse without either becoming a sharer for a while first, or paying for a lot of lessons/asking experienced YOs for advice if they go straight out and buy their own horse. I was given the opportunity as a horse mad child and I wanted to pay it forward. Then there's those people who work long hours, which doesn't afford them the opportunity to own a horse unless on full livery. So yes, my main aim when looking for a sharer is to help someone else out, because the world is a better place if people are nice to each other.

The benefits I'd get from the arrangement eg extra cash from their financial contribution, a few days off from the yard per week, those things are counterbalanced by #1 not being able to go to the yard to ride on a whim whenever I like, because it might be the sharers day to have the horse and #2 having to constantly iron out bad habits that creep in when a sharer has different standards of what is acceptable when horse handling/riding than I do.

I found offering my horse up for share doesn't work for me, because of the number of people who think they're doing me a favour by being a sharer. IMO they should be grateful they're being allowed to share. I'm not saying they should creep around me afraid to do common sense things, but I won't tolerate any attitude of I owe them just because they're paying to share, so they can do what they like. Or the attitude that I need them, so I should be glad of any help/contribution they give me and just be pleased if they turn up. I don't need sharers, never have. But when it works, the benefits of having one can be useful and worth the trade off of losing the freedom to ride whenever I want. Unfortunately I've not been lucky enough to find many people with the right attitude, and those who did were also wanting to use the share as an opportunity to teach their friends/family members to ride for free, rather than those people going to a riding school. I wasn't happy to do that, only wanting one other person to be riding/handling my horse and I didn't want complete novices learning to ride on him either.

I've actually stopped anyone from having access to my horses. Occasionally, I'll let a good friend come up to the yard with me, when I'm going to fetch in perhaps, something where they won't be in the way. I've found having others around slows me down and I get tired of the hints from people about how they'd love to ride a horse. These people claim they can't afford a horse and can't commit the time to it, but they could if they wanted to, it's just they don't want to give up other things (time and cost wise) to be able to do it. So I've stopped having sympathy for people now and keep my horses to myself.
 
I wouldn't share my mare for love nor money. I wouldn't part loan either but then I'm super protective of her. My instructor rides my horse for me and he is the only person I would trust with her so that's about as far as it goes. I've seen far too many 'experienced' riders who I wouldn't want on a beach donkey let alone my mare.
 
Queenbee said:
Sharing is sharing, not joyriding. You want to share my horse, you pay a contribution - its no skin off my nose to leave him out in the field if the only alternative is a freeloader.
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I feel confident in saying none of the owners of the horses I have shared (double figures) have seen me as a freeloader despite never making a financial contribution. Without fail I have ended up instructing all of the owners(and their kids sometimes), often two or three times a week. I've provided transport if the owner didn't have their own and often fixed it if they did. I've attended any vet visits other than normal jabs etc. Covered holidays for all the family horses, not just the one I was riding. I've accompanied owners to comps, encouraged, provided a shoulder to cry on, common sense in stress situations. I'm pretty sure the owners felt they got a good deal. Contribution does not have to be financial.
 
Up until Taz, I'd never paid a set 'share' fee. Jazz I paid her shoes because if I wasn't riding her she'd be shoe-less in a field, so I caused that cost. That was fair. But apart from that I was always 'given' horses to ride... normally ones with a quirk or two.

I paid for Taz because he was so super and it was obvious he was going to help me, in the way of my riding skill and confidence. His owner was offering him for share as she was pregnant, and needed someone to help keen him fit and looked after, and obviously the money would come in handy. So she was paid.

Now I have Skye, I've been asked if I'll be getting a sharer (its kind of expected at my yard?) And the answer is, I won't be. I wouldn't rule the idea out if I became extra time poor in the future, but I didn't buy a horse on the expectation I'd be looking for someone to help me pay for it. Never know though, if I ever 'need' a sharer, the financial contribution may tempting. But I don't ever see myself wanting or needing a sharer. If I ever need her ridden as a favour, I'll pay my instructor, or ask one of her many (competent) fans at the yard.

But just because I don't think it would suit me and my horse, I do think sharing is an excellent arrangement, and I think there is such a broad spectrum of arrangements, that its really no one's business who pays for what, as long as the horse, sharer, and owner are happy with their lot.
 
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Jenni_ said:
Up until Taz, I'd never paid a set 'share' fee. Jazz I paid her shoes because if I wasn't riding her she'd be shoe-less in a field, so I caused that cost. That was fair. But apart from that I was always 'given' horses to ride... normally ones with a quirk or two.

I paid for Taz because he was so super and it was obvious he was going to help me, in the way of my riding skill and confidence. His owner was offering him for share as she was pregnant, and needed someone to help keen him fit and looked after, and obviously the money would come in handy. So she was paid.

Now I have Skye, I've been asked if I'll be getting a sharer (its kind of expected at my yard?) And the answer is, I won't be. I wouldn't rule the idea out if I became extra time poor in the future, but I didn't buy a horse on the expectation I'd be looking for someone to help me pay for it. Never know though, if I ever 'need' a sharer, the financial contribution may tempting. But I don't ever see myself wanting or needing a sharer. If I ever need her ridden as a favour, I'll pay my instructor, or ask one of her many (competent) fans at the yard.

But just because I don't think it would suit me and my horse, I do think sharing is an excellent arrangement, and I think there is such a broad spectrum of arrangements, that its really no one's business who pays for what, as long as the horse, sharer, and owner are happy with their lot.
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Lol - having seen lots of the gorgeous Skye on FB - I can't imagine you would ever let anyone else get a look in with regards to riding her! She is gorgeous, I was so chuffed to see you had found your dream girl and it looks like you guys are having so much fun x
 
PaddyMonty said:
I feel confident in saying none of the owners of the horses I have shared (double figures) have seen me as a freeloader despite never making a financial contribution. Without fail I have ended up instructing all of the owners(and their kids sometimes), often two or three times a week. I've provided transport if the owner didn't have their own and often fixed it if they did. I've attended any vet visits other than normal jabs etc. Covered holidays for all the family horses, not just the one I was riding. I've accompanied owners to comps, encouraged, provided a shoulder to cry on, common sense in stress situations. I'm pretty sure the owners felt they got a good deal. Contribution does not have to be financial.
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Not to mention, on occasion, the fine sight of your backside as you disappear over the head of their horse...
;)
 
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