Sharer problems

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Rachaelpink

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My sharer, of approx 2 years, has gone away for a month abroad to help out at an animal sanctuary, not sure if it's paid or not. Question is do you think I should refund her for the month? I wasn't going to but she's an older teenager and her mum has text me asking if I will refund her for the month. I'm not sure whether to or not as I'm probably going to have to pay someone on some of the days my sharer has her, plus the inconvenience. What do you think? I don't want to fall out with her but I'm surprised she's asked. Thanks for reading.
 
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Easy for me to say as I'm not having to talk to the mum - but I'd be saying no and would expect her to be grateful that you're not asking for extra to cover for paid help on the her daughters days assuming that she is planning on continuing the share when she returns.

I don't see it as being any different to going away on a couple of weeks holiday and I've never had a sharer ask for a refund then.
 
Do you have a formal, written agreement? If not, what about explaining to the mum that you'll have to pay someone to do the days your sharer normally has the horse? Maybe you could offer to refund the difference (if any)?
 
Nope I wouldn't give a refund, at the end of the day your sharing to put costs down and other things I'm guessing so she should have thought about that, like at work - 'I'm going on holiday to a safari, can you still pay me though?' Never gonna happen if you havent been sent there to work . Sorry I'm not much help :/
 
How much money are you talking about? Is it worth the hassle and bad feeling?
If she was a good sharer you may like her back when she returns.
From what I see on here, good sharers aren't that easy to come by.
 
Do you get on with your sharer ? I am sort of looking at it both ways - if you refuse point blank it could cause problems later on , I know money is precious & costs in winter rise dramatically - have a chat with mum explain situation maybe offer a discount
 
I would let her off for a month personally if she's been a good sharer for two years. But then I don't charge my sharers anything, I'm just glad of the help.
 
Have you had a discussion with her previously about what happens if/when she goes on holiday or can't be there?
 
I had an agreement with my sharer that if it was the horse's fault or my fault she couldn't ride for a period of time, she wouldn't pay, but your situation sounds entirely different,

I'm sure what your sharer is doing is v worthwhile but it was her choice and sharing a horse means sharing a little of the responsibility/commitment.

I wouldn't refund unless you risk losing her-a sharer who has stuck around for 2 years is pretty valuable.
 
If you took the sharer on for financial or time constraint reasons then I wouldnt refund and point out that you now have to cover for the sharer (as already said)

If the sharer is a bit of an extra 'nice to have around' useful person then yes I would refund but make it clear that its a one off
 
Not talking about loads, under 100. In loan agreement I put I won't refund for holidays, that the sharer can have her more days prior to or after the holiday instead, but technically she could argue this isn't a holiday.
 
I have the sharer for money and time constraints, more so time constraints at the moment, I started a job recently where I work long hours so loosing my sharer for a month makes things trickier.
 
Is she a sharer or a part loaner? I'm never entirely sure what the difference is other than there seems to be more freedom for sharers and it's cheaper in comparison to full or part loaners who take on more of the financial side such as vet bills etc. I think it makes a difference as you may be both seeing the situation from very different perspectives if one of you is using the term "share" and the other "loan". Loan also seems to imply a little more say in how things are done with the horse. I share and I have to do exactly what the owner wants but that is why I have more freedom with days and finances etc. just a thought to put into the mix!
 
Rachaelpink said:
I have the sharer for money and time constraints, more so time constraints at the moment, I started a job recently where I work long hours so loosing my sharer for a month makes things trickier.
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Just a thought, if loosing her for a month makes things trickier, you might want to think very carefully about how you would cope if she ended the share because she/her mum were upset that you wouldn't refund.

Not saying they are right asking for a refund... just something to think about, especially if she has been reliable and gets on well with your horse.
 
Rachaelpink said:
Not talking about loads, under 100. In loan agreement I put I won't refund for holidays, that the sharer can have her more days prior to or after the holiday instead, but technically she could argue this isn't a holiday.
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Well I'd argue that it is a holiday - she's not there for a period of time and isn't ending the share agreement. What she chooses to do whilst she's away isn't really the issue. If anything, it's more disruptive for you if she goes away for longer and that's all the more reason to keep paying. With prior warning perhaps you could have negotiated half rates or something but there's no reason you should be out of pocket cos she's disorganised.

Seems to complicate matters that a) she didn't talk to you about things before she went and b) that her mum is getting involved. Does mum pay you on her behalf?

I'd go for a polite reply saying as previously agreed, she needs to keep paying even when on holiday.
 
Personally, I would not dream of asking for payment when she was going to help animals and not raving in ibiza. She sounds like a decent person, who Could probably do with the extra spending money. Your horse is your responsibility After all. I Would value my sharer more than a few quid in my pocket, but Thats just me and im speaking as a mother. Good luck with whatever you decide.x
 
Unless you normally deal with the mother, than politely respond by saying you would rather discuss the matter with your sharer when she returns. Maybe you could offer a donation to the charity she is supporting. Personally if i was sharing then i would not expect a refund or to not pay just because i was unavailable, as i would be aware of the inconvenience i was causing. After all if you want to pay as you go, use a riding school and not have the commitment of a share.
 
Personally would refund, or say only half as a goodwill gesture as you still have your fixed costs. Good reliable sharers are sooo hard to come by, it's not worth loosing her or falling out over.
 
How far in advance did she let you know she was going away?

Personally, if my usually reliable & trustworthy sharer of 2 years told me well in advance that she was going to be away for a month, I would not expect her to pay.

I have been in the same situation (as the sharer!) - I was going on holiday and moving house in the same month. I told the owner of my share horse about 3 months in advance so we agreed that I would have that month 'off' and wouldn't pay. As a sharer, I felt valued and like I wasn't just a cash cow.

If, however, she only told you a week before and left you up s**t creek without the preverbial; no, I would not be refunding. I would argue that she didn't give enough notice for you to find adequate cover and have already used her contribution to pay for help.
 
If i were you i'd give her the money back. She sounds a decent girl (doing charity work and all!) and if she's a good sharer, arguing over less than £100 is prob not worth the hassle and bad feeling it could cause.

I know it's prob inconvenient for you, but it does sounds like it's a one off situation. Why not look at it as refunding her the money, as a way of rewarding her, for all her hard work over the last 2 years? Also think of all the good karma you will get in return! :)
 
i wouldnt risk loosing her because of it, she could easily find another horse to share, you will find it hard to find another sharer!
 
Rachaelpink said:
My sharer, of approx 2 years, has gone away for a month abroad to help out at an animal sanctuary, not sure if it's paid or not. Question is do you think I should refund her for the month? I wasn't going to but she's an older teenager and her mum has text me asking if I will refund her for the month. I'm not sure whether to or not as I'm probably going to have to pay someone on some of the days my sharer has her, plus the inconvenience. What do you think? I don't want to fall out with her but I'm surprised she's asked. Thanks for reading.
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Assuming that she gave you adequate notice that she was going away then I would refund the money. Try looking at it from a different angle from having a sharer for 2 years at say £60-£100 per month; you've probably gained roughly £1500-£2000 towards the costs of keeping your horse that otherwise you'd have had to cover yourself plus the costs of maybe paying for additonal livery services which your sharer covers for you at say even £10 per week could add up to another £1000. So you'll begrudge the girl one months fees when you've saved the best part £2500-£3000?? You might be cutting your nose off to spite your face....
 
As a general rule of thumb, then no she shouldn't be refunded.

However in this instance, assuming she is a good and reliable sharer of 2 years, it is probably worth a goodwill gesture.

Maybe offer 50/50. I also like the idea of donating the amount to the charity they are volunteering for.
 
See I wouldn't. When you share, you pay a percentage of the horses costs and in return have x amount of use and time with said horse. The owners costs don't change if the sharer decides not to ride on a certain day or have time off. I ended a share when a new sharer, despite knowing the rules, then announced she was away for a months holiday so wouldn't be paying while away. Costs and commitments are fixed. I have had really good sharers, swapped around days if they needed to, etc etc and stayed friends with my main ones before I retired my mare. Of course there is give and take but I have seen a friend who tried to be really accommodating and then simply had the pee taken out of her. Maybe I have been exceptionally lucky (with only one oddity) but my sharers have been brilliant, trustworthy and adult.
 
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