Sharer dilemma...

[Mongoose11]

I have a good sharer. Sharing is not without it's niggles, as you would expect, but my sharer is incredibly reliable, trustworthy, a decent horsewoman and puts in a lot of effort.

There have been some niggles but I won't bring them up here because overall I should count myself lucky, but...

When I advertised the share I asked for £75 a month. This gets her four days a week riding an incredibly safe, versatile and fun horse. Sharer has competed with success and can do anything she likes on her. May-Oct is DIY (with morning services, so no need to go up in the morning on her days) and it is full livery Oct-April. I'd like to renegotiate on the money side of things but I'm just useless at this sort of thing. Generally, are people paying more than that?

Horse costs me £450 a month in Winter, I don't think the £75 is a fair proportion of the cost considering the horse/livery etc.

Is it the done thing? I'm a proper wally with this sort of thing. Should I just think myself lucky that she's sane, reliable and kind to the horse?

 

[Ella19]

Hmm difficult as you took her on on those terms and I presume nothing has changed ie increased number of days for her to ride. There is nothing to say you can't ask for more (depending on any contracts made?), however you risk the possibility of losing your sharer. Talk to her and see would be my advise, explain your struggling financialy and see what she says.

I'm Surrey hills and for 3 days a week no chores sharers pay £200 a month as a guide.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Has the livery gone up recently, or will this be sharer's first winter? If the answer to either of those is 'yes'. I think you could legitimately ask for a bigger contribution to your winter bill. I should start by telling her how much you appreciate the way she deals with your horse etc. I am sure that most people must realise that it costs more to keep a horse in winter than in summer.
If she has been sharing for longer than that, it might not be so easy but she must like your horse to have continued.
Sorry not a lot of help really.

 

[alainax]

Does she do any jobs? How much do you pay in summer?

I have someone who rides my horse, no jobs, kept him ticking over while I was pregnant and will now hack him on the days I can't ride to keep him fit. She is a good horsewoman, horse is a saint and is on full livery. I don't charge anything, she offers to buy his shoes. I see it as a mutually beneficial arrangement. I get someone good to help ride/keep an eye on my boy, and she gets a nice horse to ride. So I'd be inclined to keep it the same for a great person. If you don't mind losing her, then you could certainly try..

 

[Max123]

She probably can't believe her luck that she has got away with paying so little for so long. She should be paying at least 50% although a jump of that much may not be financially feasible for her. See how much she can afford and if you can live with that amount. Tell her she is valued but that the financial imbalance can't continue. You would have no problem finding another sharer for a horse like that if she does walk away.

 

[be positive]

It is not a fair proportion but it was the amount you asked for, she does not have the option of doing chores to keep costs down, I guess it is worth asking for more but it depends whether you have a sharer to keep the costs down or to keep the horse fit, if the latter then she may be better than many and it would be a shame to lose her.

 

[calmgirl]

Have a chat and say how well it's been going, and how has she been finding it etc but with it costing x per month coming into winter could she pay for shoes/ shavings or £ per month. It's just one of those things I'd have to man up to ask myself!
Eta Don't think you're being unreasonable asking for a bit more each month but finding someone reliable is hard.

 

[SpringArising]

It's tough because that's the price you started on. It was really down to you to decide what was right to charge at the time.

I used to have a sharer who I gave a second (new) saddle to. I said to her she can ride as much as she likes, can hack him out, compete or school etc. and I was charging her £12 a week (no chores either). I charged so little because the horse was a bucker and a general wotsit, and felt cheeky charging more. I regretted it after a while but never bothered asking her to pay more. At the end of the day she was doing me a favour (I couldn't get down every day) so left it at that.

I think £75 is about right to be honest. That (and less) is the going rate around here.

If I were you I'd just say "I know it's a bit cheeky, but now that winter's coming and I'll need to buy more feed + bedding, would you mind chipping in an extra tenner a month to help?". But you have to be prepared for her to say no. You need to ask if you're in it for the money or the convenience.

 

[Mongoose11]

Thanks all, it isn't her first Winter and yes, I did take her on at £75 a month, so perhaps it's unfair to ask for more. My circumstances have changed a little and my personal finances will be more stretched this year - not her problem though. Horse costs have gone up this year due to her needing more specialist feeding/supplements and a podiatrist rather than a 'trim' which has doubled the costs associated with her feet.

I originally had a sharer to assist with the exercise more than anything else - I stopped riding for some time but now I am feeling the financial pressure, I wish I had asked for more. My original £75 was because I was just so desperate to find someone that I thought it would be a very attractive prospect. Others charge £130-£150 a month on my yard.

Arrrrgh. Not an easy one and I won't find it easy to raise in conversation.

ETA: Horse has cost me about £250 a month over summer and sharer does afternoon chores on her days May-Oct. No jobs to do in the Winter.

 

[VioletFlower]

Gosh, its a shame you didn't mention in your advert that the price during winter would go up. Your sharer may feel a bit agreived and she may or may not be understanding and agree to it

 

[Mongoose11]

Gosh, its a shame you didn't mention in your advert that the price during winter would go up. Your sharer may feel a bit agreived and she may or may not be understanding and agree to it

Quite. I didn't think I would put the price up - it's just we are heading in to an expensive Winter and I find myself wondering whether the situation is equitable. I'm not set on the idea, which is why I am asking for opinions.

 

[Clodagh]

I would speak to her, face to face, explain you are struggling and could you possibly put the price up. You could make it £100 a month, so not a huge increase but slightly more in line with what others pay.

 

[smellsofhorse]

Did she know at the beginning of the share that the costs would be more in winter?

She may be sharing because she can't afford a horse full time.
A lot of people could afford £450 a month livery.

You need to discuss with her and see how she feels.
Maybe she could pay a little more all year round, say, £100 a month rather that going from £75 to a lot more in winter!

The only way to find out is to discuss and be honest.

 

[VioletFlower]

I had assumed you only got your sharer recently this summer. If she has paid £75 for a year or so, I think you could talk to her about putting prices up given the things that have got more expensive for you over that time.

 

[Floofball]

You say it isn't her first winter so she has been paying the same for a while now. I think an honest chat about the increasing cost and the possibility of her contributing a bit more (whilst reminding her how happy you've been so far) may be the way to go. She may offer more if she's been enjoying it so much - worth a shot, she can only say no then you can say you'll have a think about things. Then you will have a dilema!

 

[sianmturner]

Hmm...as the person on the other end of this, I actually think it should be OK as long as it's a reasonable ask - you could justify by explaining what things are costing - I know people don't like talking money but if you can, I would be more open to it if the owner explained the cost of things and how it's worked out. That way, if livery etc does go up, you can explain again how livery has gone up and again work out as a percentage. I'd also tell them what you've told us - you're happy with them, you like them and it's hard for you to ask this of them...

As someone who was part-loaning, it's always lovely to hear that and it reassures you that you're not being done over (can't think of a nicer way to say that one, sorry, haha).

Hope that helps xxxxx

 

[elliejhb]

Hmm...as the person on the other end of this, I actually think it should be OK as long as it's a reasonable ask - you could justify by explaining what things are costing - I know people don't like talking money but if you can, I would be more open to it if the owner explained the cost of things and how it's worked out. That way, if livery etc does go up, you can explain again how livery has gone up and again work out as a percentage. I'd also tell them what you've told us - you're happy with them, you like them and it's hard for you to ask this of them...

As someone who was part-loaning, it's always lovely to hear that and it reassures you that you're not being done over (can't think of a nicer way to say that one, sorry, haha).

Hope that helps xxxxx

Completely agree with this. As your sharer has been with you for a while surely she will know the situation with the horse and understand that the upkeep has increased.
I partloaned my boy for a year before I bought him, it was nice to hear that what I was doing with him was valued and appreciated, and if the owner had discussed about putting the price up, as long as she could explain her reason I'd of paid it

 

[Mongoose11]

Thanks for all of your ideas on this. Yes, she's been with me about 17 months now and has always paid £75. I'm certain that she is keen to continue long term as she bought a trailer as soon as she was ready to get out competing. I know that she couldn't necessarily afford her own now and shares as a compromise.

I would like to ask that she pays £125 and would consider going back to £75 over the summer months if it was going to be a deal breaker. I just wish I had thought of this as part of the original deal.

Will mull it over.

 

[pippixox]

i think the £125 in the winter is reasonable due to no chores for her either. but agree with others that just be open and ask...
however..... she may have a tight budget (i know we all do!) and if she really could not go up in money she does surely sound like someone you want to keep? yes she gets great benefits, but so do you with a reliable sharer- which many struggle to find.

 

[LHIS]

I am a loaner, when I part loaned I paid £160 a month and did jobs (for five horses including my own - poo picking, mucking out, turning out/in and also looking after them all when owner was away), for that I got use of horse and 2 lessons a week with the owner (also an instructor). Now on full loan for £300 a month and I still do my jobs in exchange for lessons. In very happy with the arrangement and my ponys owner also benefits as she trusts me to look after the farm (including horses) and can go on a much deserved holiday!

 

[staffylover]

I think it is quite reasonable to ask for an increase in contribution after 17 months, as your costs will have gone up. Prices increase in every area of life, that's the way things work. Personally I would think of a relatively small increase in the monthly cost at first, to be reasonable, but make it clear that the cost may go up again if needed. What I always did when I had sharers was to calculate the total cost of keeping the horse (livery, vaccinations, insurance, shoes etc) per year, divide it by 52 to find the estimated weekly cost, and then divided it by 6 to estimate the cost for each riding day, assuming the horse had 1 day off per week. Then if my sharer rode 1 day per week, that was the cost, 2 times weekly I doubled it (with maybe a slight reduction for quantity) and so on. So basically the sharer paid for the cost of the horse for the days she rode. There were no yard duties. I always got on very well with my sharers, and several of them have remained good friends, but it was a simple business arrangement which suited both parties. And price increases happened as and when needed. No one has ever objected.

 

[catembi]

Wow, staggered by the prices! I had a sharer for my ISH, unlimited riding, no chores, & I charged £60 a month. She thought that was expensive! Mine live at home though, so no livery - just mortgage.

T x

 

[Firefly9410]

I think it is worth being honest and saying that when you started the arrangement you did not need the money so charged a token amount but now your circumstances have changed and you need the money. Point out how much the horse costs to keep and I am sure you will be able to come to another arrangement. Even if she cannot pay more maybe she would drop a day, enabling you to get a second person for a day or two per week to make up the financial short fall.

 

[shortstuff99]

Gosh I think these prices are massive too! Most of these sharers are paying more a month in sharing then I do for my horses livery even in winter! I would really struggle round my area to get £75 per month. However all you can do is ask and run the risk of her walking away, or get a second sharer....

 

[LHIS]

The range is quite big yes, my £160 a month seems to be the highest so far. My ponys owner calculated it as what the pony costs her a month, halved. Pony lives at her private yard at her home. I don't think what I pay is steep - it seems perfectly fair to me.
Location might have something to do with it though - I'm in Wilmslow, Cheshire and pony is in Chelford, Cheshire. DIY livery around here, at its cheapest (that I've come across) is £80 a week and that's just for the stable and turn out, no bedding, food etc.

 

[PaddyMonty]

Just be aware that coming in to winter it is much more difficult to find a decent sharer (or any sharer at all).
Tread carefully.

 

[Kat]

If she is a good rider capable of schooling and competing a horse she could probably get rides for free so be careful you don't alienate her by pushing the price up too quickly. Ask yourself what is most important, the money or the help and how you would feel if she quit.

 

[be positive]

The range is quite big yes, my £160 a month seems to be the highest so far. My ponys owner calculated it as what the pony costs her a month, halved. Pony lives at her private yard at her home. I don't think what I pay is steep - it seems perfectly fair to me.
Location might have something to do with it though - I'm in Wilmslow, Cheshire and pony is in Chelford, Cheshire. DIY livery around here, at its cheapest (that I've come across) is £80 a week and that's just for the stable and turn out, no bedding, food etc.

Your pony's owner thinks it costs her £320 per month to keep without paying livery/ rent that seems very steep, a partial set of shoes each month £50, a couple of bales of shavings £15 each week so £60 month, hay £80 month plus hard feed £60 does not add up to £320 and I have been extremely generous with the estimates and this would only be winter not summer when they are out more, insurance will be added at about £50 so it can almost add up but if any of mine cost that much to keep I would be forced to give up.

DIY at £80 inc no hay or bedding is way over anywhere else in the UK, I know Cheshire is expensive but that cannot be the cheapest place around, if you are housesitting for the YO she is getting a very good deal although full livery for £300 seems very fair as it is very different to having a share.

 

[LHIS]

Perhaps, I did get a lot of tuition with that too, she's taught me so much in lessons, handling and general horse care too. She basically re-taught me to ride, which is ongoing. YO also owns an online equestrian business and whenever I've needed anything I've gone to her and she's not let me pay for anything (perhaps to readdress the balance) so I've done very well out of, we both have. As I said I was quite happy with the arrangement and now on full loan for full livery at £300 a month suits me fine. I still do my jobs when I'm there and get my lessons in exchange for this. I love all aspects of horsing so really don't mind doing the jobs and all 5 horses are a pleasure to look after and handle.

Before I got this loan pony I was going to buy my own, and when we moved here I looked around the local yards, I looked at DIY only to keep costs down and £80 was the cheapest I could find that was within a 10 min drive from where I live. I'm sure there probably are cheaper yards, maybe private ones, but knowing absolutely no one I had zero contacts so a livery yard was my only option.

 

[Spilletta]

If she is a good rider capable of schooling and competing a horse she could probably get rides for free so be careful you don't alienate her by pushing the price up too quickly. Ask yourself what is most important, the money or the help and how you would feel if she quit.

This. And also what PaddyMonty says.

I think there is a shortage of decent and reliable riders, and they will either need paying or will do it for free. It could be different in your area, but I'm going by the amount of times I hear of people struggling, especially during winter, for help with their horses.

If you definitely have to ask for more financial help, maybe you could make an arrangement that she buys in some of the feed so she's still helping with costs but it may feel less awkward for you both. (I'm rubbish at discussing money so know how you feel!)