Sharers - Am I Looking for the Impossible?

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Mithras

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Or has anyone else managed to find a sharer who gets to ride a couple of times a week on a well schooled horse with no issues in return for helping with chores on the day they are up, tack cleaning once a month and coming along to shows once a month or so to help? No monetary payment or contribution at all.
 
I was sharing and riding 2/3 times a week but it turned out to be just hacking ( walking around block mostly) because that was what owner wanted to do. Horse was green ex racer who she needed getting used to traffic. Wouldn't have minded too much if we had at least gone a bit faster but she was too nervous to canter. Contributed £20 a week based on 3 x riding. I'd have loved someone like you to share / ride for and I'd have very happily paid.
 
The thing is, I keep getting people whom I explain what the deal is to, who then simply turn up and ride and depart. Always too busy at weekends to come to shows to help out for a few hours despite me telling them at the beginning this is the reason I'm really offering the riding.

Well, at least I had one for ten weeks whom I had to "sack" for this (and for being unreliable) and now have two students who are much the same. They are all very nice, but I feel like I'm being taken for a mug, as I'm not providing some kind of free riding school! (I'm also a bit surprised that people don't offer to do things like clean your tack if they have used it occasionally without being asked).

Not really interested in a monetary payment at all, just having an extra pair of hands around occasionally would be good!
 
Mithras I do not think you are being in any way unreasonable. When I (many years ago) came out of RS, and was a sharer, I would clean tack as a matter of course, after use. I paid to share, but would have been more than happy to poo-pick/muck out on my days instead of paying! What you are offering is a lovely deal IMO, and I'm very surprised you cannot find anyone who keeps their part of that deal.
 
I've had quite a few sharers (mine always seemed to get pregnant!! and stop) I always founf charging a small amount £10/£15 a week weeded out the joy riders and made people bother to turn up - even though - like you cash wasn't the objective.
How about charge them and use the money to pay someone to do chores/ help you at shows? Then you can get what you want done
 
Not to be ageist but do you maybe need someone a bit more mature? If someone wants to share they should also want to assist with chores and duties too, and I agree they should know to do things like tack cleaning without you having to ask.
 
Hi I'm a sharer and I don't understand why you haven't found a decent sharer with that deal. I prefer to pay for my share as I feel it gives me reassurance and a tiny bit of say.
Although after a decent amount of time I would expect to be able to do a class at shows with you not just help.
I'm sure you'll find someone good soon :) good luck
 
Bucks Fizz said:
Not to be ageist but do you maybe need someone a bit more mature? If someone wants to share they should also want to assist with chores and duties too, and I agree they should know to do things like tack cleaning without you having to ask.
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You would think so, but the first sharer (of no tack cleaning, many cancellations and not one show in ten weeks) was 40. Have previously had some excellent students helping out, but students move on. I'm just a bit surprised by the current ones (who really are lovely) that I made clear what was being offered, and each time I ask them to come to a show, they are busy. And having to be coaxed to clean the tack, after a month. So basically I am providing them with free riding with nothing in return.

So I'll give them a bit longer, but tbh the signs are not promising. I can quite easily ride two horses myself and keep them fit, so I'll probably just do that.

Wizzkid - I make it clear that they are showjumpers and I can't have anyone else jumping them, but the sharers are welcome to either hack or school, have lessons or even do dressage if they wish. But no-one seems to want to do more than a once or twice per week hack anyway. Its not like I'm expecting them to come out every week to shows with me, once a month would be a great help and I would have thought quite good fun for someone who is interested in horses!
 
The promise to be at a show with you at weekends would deter me. Weekends are when many people need to be with their kids or family (driving to sports matches, riding lessons, music lessons etc.), organising or visiting elderly parents, involved with their church etc and sometimes going away on holiday?
Since you are near London, I would charge your sharers and use the money to find someone else to act as your groom at a show.
 
I think it sounds like a great deal I would have loved something like that a few years ago - hell if I didn't have my own horse I'd love it now. I also love helping at shows especially eventing. I think the problem with an older person is that they are more likely to have other weekend commitments like OH, family etc. unless you get an old spinster like me :D
 
Skib said:
The promise to be at a show with you at weekends would deter me. Weekends are when many people need to be with their kids or family (driving to sports matches, riding lessons, music lessons etc.), organising or visiting elderly parents, involved with their church etc and sometimes going away on holiday?
Since you are near London, I would charge your sharers and use the money to find someone else to act as your groom at a show.
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I'm not in London lol, the Brompton Road is just my spiritual home. I'm in Aberdeen. I don't think there any grooms you can pay to go to shows with you around here! tbh at day showjumping shows, theres not a lot for a day groom to do anyway, I just need an extra pair of hands and once a month or so takes the burden off. I can understand someone not wanting to do it every week, of course! But maybe the more serious sharers want to pay/compete and the others really just want an alternative to a riding school.
 
What a pity you are not near London. I would have volunteered, as a show groom I mean.
Seriously tho, it was really important to me when learning to ride (which I did as a very serious older lady) to learn about handling horses on the ground and then for a year to help out on my teacher's livery yard, where the yard manager kindly taught me and made me useful. My first day, I did nothing but clean tack but adults who are interested in horses and horse behaviour learn quickly.
You might well find a serious riding school rider who would welcome that extra experience of going to shows with you. But wouldnt feel competent to share?
 
TBH there's no excuse for not tack cleaning and helping on the day you ride .
But giving up a day to a show I understand why they don't what to do that.
 
I used to be a sharer before I got my own and quite honestly it would put me off having to help out a shows as a sharer as my weekends are mine to do what a want with. even if my share day was a weekend day I can work the chores round my own schedule but being told you need to go to a show doesn't do it for me at all. Neither does tack cleaning. Don't get me wrong, I agree it should be done by all parties sharing the horse, but with the 3 horses I part loaned I never cleaned tack once (shocking now when I think back!!!) But you are placing quite an importance on it which again might put me off. All that said thou I paid for all my loans but if I was skint, wanted to loan and could get you deal for free I'd agree to everything if I could be around horses! :-)
 
Good competition grooms cost money. From your description you seem to want some help which is more akin to having a part time groom. Hacking out and helping at shows with the possibility of a bit of dressage. I honestly really struggle with people not employing a competent freelance to do this. I could have read this wrong and you truly want to share your horses, apologies if this is the case. However I do worry that lists of so called shares are actually getting a bit of a groom on the cheap. I should say I have never shared or offered a share in ,my horses but I have and will continue to pay properly for additional support when needed.
 
There is no excuse for not doing chores cleaning tack etc but I can see why people wouldnt want to come to shows to help. It is quite time consuming as it will take up most if not all of a weekend day and unless you are the one competing can be pretty boring too.

I agree with the charging and using the money to pay someone idea
 
sounds like a good deal but can understand why they don't want to go to shows at weekends, especially students as they more than likely have work to do and friends to see. plus shows take up the whole day and if they are just sitting around watching you compete it would probably be a bit boring!!
 
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