Sharer advice and contract help please.

[almrc]

Hi All

Well (fingers crossed!) I have found a lovely sharer for one of my horses She is to come up twice in the week to ride and then one day or so at the weekend if time. She said she will contribute to shoes (not sure how much) and poo pick at weekend when time. She also said she will get the BHS gold membership for insurance.

So what else do Ineed to know, do I need a contract and if so I would appreciate any help with this please? And what else do I need to think of or sort out? Its all new to me! I have been riding out with her for the past month or so. Thank you

 

[Koda]

There is a BHS loan contract that might give you inspiration, you can google it. You just need to be very clear about the terms of payment, what exactly will she pay for and when will she pay, and by what method. You'll need to be very clear on that.

Other than money, is there anything you are picky about?

For example my picky stuff: that my mare always has feet picked out before and after riding, and boots on. My sharer was dressage rider, but if she had been into jumping I would have been strict on how often the mare was to be jumped. That's about it. Hope that gives you food for thought...

 

[galaxy]

I always have a part about horse not allowed to be transported off premises without my permissions excpet for a veterinary emergency

- in the case of a vet emergency that they have to try and call me, or if they can'tget hold of me my yard manager. If they can't contact either and they are still unsure if vet is necessary (emergency scenario) they are to call the vet and I am responsible for all fees.

- no one (friends etc) are to ride the horse without my permission

- both parties have to give 30 days notice unless owner needs to for the horses welfare

- yard rules have to be adhered to at all times

- any equipment not supplied by the owner that the loaner wants to use on the horse must be agreed to first by the owner

- the amount that the loaner must pay and the date it must be paid on

 

[almrc]

Thanks, some great info there. So its that strict with payment etc? I HATE talking about money! Also, I was going to ask am I responsible for any injuries (god forbid) etc? I am at my own rented land too.

 

[spotty_pony]

This website might be useful:

www.equinelegalsolutions.com

 

[Jayde87]

Some great ideas above. Before I was lucky enough to have my own horse, I did have quite a few shares over the years. I'd lay down a list of rules - afterall it's your horse eg. how often you want it jumped, whether the sharer can compete, who else can ride the horse etc. If I were looking for a sharer for my horse, I'd always say if my YO wasn't around, and if in doubt, phone the vet. I'd rather have the vet come out and pay a small fee and be told it's nothing serious, than the sharer not phoning out the vet at all and then the incident progressing.

The other thing I'd always be weary about is 'younger' girls. If it were me, I'd always prefer a sharer aged 16+, unless they had very horsey parents that would be there a lot of the time, or were sensible and had experience. Not sure why, maybe because I feel they are more responsible at this age.

Good luck

 

[maletto]

re: payment - i've always found the best option is to decide how much contribution you want and get them to set up a weekly/monthly standing order. That way you only need to have the discussion once.

Might be worth including that if there is an incident requiring veterinary treatment caused by the sharer, they're responsible for paying for it.

 

[almrc]

Might be worth including that if there is an incident requiring veterinary treatment caused by the sharer, they're responsible for paying for it.

Can you do that? Would that be under my insurance or how would that work?

PS: I am v.lucky, sharer is 30 ish

 

[maletto]

Can you do that? Would that be under my insurance or how would that work?

PS: I am v.lucky, sharer is 30 ish

Don't see why not! they can at least pay the excess. I can't exactly think of an example, but let's say that she doesn't shut the stable door properly and the horse charges out and runs into a fence and needs some stitches or something.

Admittedly, unlikely to happen, but just a thought.

 

[almrc]

Good idea, I would like to do that have thought of it but was unsure how to word it. This is great giving me lots of ideas thank you

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

re: payment - i've always found the best option is to decide how much contribution you want and get them to set up a weekly/monthly standing order. That way you only need to have the discussion once.

Might be worth including that if there is an incident requiring veterinary treatment caused by the sharer, they're responsible for paying for it.

Yes, to both the above.
DL pays me that way - saves any problems long term.

My loan pony (kept at my yard, tho under their daily care) has just the latter in the agreement. If she has an injury or illness which is down to them being the cause, then they pay.
This is because many moons ago I had a couple of 'incidents' from people in the yard. One whose friends child went into a field of youngstock & the horse (he was a nanny) waving an umbrella of all things & started running about chasing them, which caused 2 of the 4 to hurtle in terror through a post & rail fence ripping up electric posts & tape too on their side, and several deep cuts needing stiches to the babies. (I specifically banned them from bringing in junior school age children before this, and was happy as they didn't have them!)
Another incident when despite being told not to jump when out hacking, the adult did so & animal went down after & tore tendon resulting in box rest through a very hot summer. She denied jumping, but a dog walker who knows me came into the yard to tell me....

So - best to cover all eventualities than be wise after the event, then you might not ever need to invoke....

Good luck - dot the 'i's and x the 't's and it ought to be plain sailing

 

[LaurenM]

As above, you can look at the BHS loan agreement and alter it to meet your needs. I would use it to outline who is responsible for what, what days you both do - if it is flexible, who pays what, 30 day notice period etc.

It seems like you really like her. I know I am being really picky but the wording you use, 'if she has time' stands out to me for some reason. I think it's because I've read a few cases where the individual commited to a particular day and wouldn't inform the owner that she wasn't able to sort said horse until the last minute. Not saying that this will be the case however.

I hope it works out for you both.

 

[joeanne]

You must get everything relevent down in the contract, with a clear start date.
Be specific. Days the sharer can ride, yard duties expected, and any costs you intend to ask for.
That way you cover every base and there is no room for "but you said..." its in black and white, and very clear. Of course you can add "with the agreement of both parties xyz may be possible" if sharer occasionally wants a different day, or to compete at a show, etc.
State if you are happy or not for sharer to allow a friend or instructor to ride your horse. Sometimes its easier to say at the outset that with perhaps the exception of an instructor nobody bar the sharer may ride your horse.
Termination is another thing. You need to give your sharer a period of notice that is applicable to both parties, with the clause that if the horse is mistreated at any time, the agreement can be terminated immediately.

 

[almrc]

I am picky too so lucky to have found her. She really adores the horse too. We have been out riding every week now for about 3 weeks so everyone is getting used to everything. She can come out 2 days in the week, depending on work but they will be negotiable depending on her work commitments. I would still like to ride sometimes in the week in summer and weekends sometimes. She is fine with that but will somehow get it in the agreement. I am kind of letting go of this horse and moving onto my other one, so when I say I will ride her in the week, there may be a time when I dont need to! She also wants to go to a local rs for SJ sometime (novice jumping so very small jumps) but I will be going with her and thats about all she will be doing competing wise, shes just happy to hack! I will still take her xc and to shows in summer, so need to word this in somehow too.

 

[joeanne]

Oh and what about insurance? If you are paying the insurnace, but the horse is injured whilst in her care, then she should pay perhaps half the excess, or if the injury is caused by her negligence all the excess.