Sharers - good idea or not?!

[jemstone]

I am thinking about getting a sharer for my mare and wondered if people have had experience of sharing before?

I am quite particular as to how my horses get done so dont know if i would be a bit of a nightmare to share with!

Also how much would you charge?
Any advice appreciated!

 

[vieshot]

I dont like doing it, ive had bad experiences of letting other people ride my pony. Id only do it if you can monitor their riding or make it a rule that they have to either ride out with someone you no so they can keep an eye on them or that they have to ride in the school if they cant ride with anyone or whatever just so you can keep an eye.

 

[filly190]

I share my three horses with my friend and it works wonderfully well. We do everything together and have a horse each for our rides out. She helps with my yearling and does her share of all of the work.

In return for this, we have fantastic times and get out and about loads, something you would'nt necessary do on your own.

If it were one horse that you were sharing, then you dont receive the above mentioned benefits. But what you will get is someone to take care of and ride your horse when you are not available.

I do think when looking for someone to share, you need to ensure that they receive the same benefits and enjoyment as you do, and not get the worst deal. Also to appreciate them and have good clear communication, this prevents problems from arising. My friend has willingly learnt how I like the horses to be done and of course I have explained why I want them done in a certain way, not to come across as bosy.

Its a lot of give and take, and sometimes they will take the horse to event and you will be the groom, at first it may feel a little difficult to stand there watching your own horse when you could be riding it. But I do feel that they deserve the rewards of keeping a horse, just as much as you.

If you are serious about taking on someone to share, you need to find someone that you know and trust. I would have never considered a stranger. I found my friend, through her offering to come and help out, she wanted nothing more than to be around horses and it kind of developed from there. I have never looked back and we have such a good relationship/friendship that anything can be done/said and absolutely no issues ever.

I think, small footsteps in that direction first. Instead of meeting someone and giving everything in one go, get to know them, let them come and ride your horse and over a period of time develop things. That way you will find someone as I have done and it will work well.

 

[jemstone]

That sounds perfect! I dont think i will manage to get anyone as good as that! Am putting an advert in this week though

Do you have contracts for sharers?

 

[Mid]

With sharing, if you go for a 50/50 share (they pay half of ALL expenses, do half of all work and get half the riding time) then you have to remember that they own the horse with you equally. So you won't really be in charge.

I'd say sharing is a great idea though

 

[sarahs]

Hi, I have a sharer and to be honest she is great ! I work in London so find it really hard to get time to ride in the week so she keeps him fit and pays me for the privilege ! He is on part livery but without her he would have to be on full. I was very lucky I placed an ad on a free website and she was the 2nd person to come and see him, basically I said that I wanted someone that would treat him like their own horse, and treat all my equipment with the up most respect, i have a shopping addiction and i think she probably wishes I would stop buying things that she then has to keep clean!
Just be very straight and honest with people and you will find the right person - dont settle for anything less then perfect, you wouldnt leave a baby with someone you werent to keen on so I wont leave my horse with someone im not 100% sure about.
But the one down side is if something goes wrong with the horse its very easy to blame them, I remeber once my boy went lame after he had been on a hack with my sharer and although I know for a fact she only walked and trotted, I was very tempted to blame her, even though it was a total accident. But then I did laugh when he reared on a hack and she came straight of the back of him, landed on her feet with her feet still in the stirrup irons as they had also come off !

 

[Jellicle]

I don't really agree with Deadpan - I am a sharer and pay half the monthly costs and ride 3 days a week, but I don't feel I own the horse. The owner has priority if she wants to go to a show etc, and if she didn't want me to do something (XC etc) then that's her decision.

Our arrangement has worked well. Her mum also has a horse so I often ride out with her. I think you probably have to accept that your horse won't be done exactly how you would do it - make clear what's important to you to be done.

And I have a contract - taken from the BHS website.