sharers? is it worth it???

gracenarchie

gracenarchie

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Hello

have been pondering for a while about maybe advertising for a sharer for my Tbx mare. just to get her out a bit more as am so busy with work/life etc etc as we all are! and also have a rising 3yr old gelding.

However am not sure if it would end up being more hassle than its worth. my mare is the easiest to do in the world and pretty much a novice ride - impeccable to ride/school and very straightforward although can be a little nappy to hack out alone.
however she needs careful management as is prone to colic and gets very stressed if left out in the rain!! and has conformational faults galore :-)& is basically a total TB wuss!
As we all do; I worship this horse and would take me a while to trust that someone was doing things correctly for her.
it would be brilliant of I could find someone reliable just to hack her out a couple of times a week when i can;t and obviously do a bit more in the spring/summer( we have no school)

what would you HHO folks do ?? am I just dreaming thinking I could find someone reliable, honest and trustworth for my mare????

Thanks
x
 
There are some great sharers out there and everything in between.

There are experienced tactful, riders looking to share who cannot e.g. as have small children commit to owning at hte moment.

If you look carefully, and trust your gut instinct about the people who are interested, and are prepared to be picky then you probably can find someone, assuming you are in an area where there is a demand for horses to share.

Word of mouth or recommendations via a local instructor would be a good way to look.
 
Interview as though for a job. I have the best sharer ever: she rides, mucks out, turnout, loves him, doesn't take the mick, ruddy marvellous!
 
Ive been an sharer and i treated that horse like my own. I even called the vet and paid a bill when i found the horse with a wound and the owner was low on money. However when i loaned my mare out she never showed up half the time, never told me she wasnt coming and basically made it a right hassle! I hope you find someone lovely!! They are out there!
 
I have a sharer for my boy. Only started a couple of weeks ago but its nice to know he's hacking out rather than stuck in his stable while I'm in college.
I was very anxious to start with. I had lots of inquiries but most appeared novices, but although he's a novice ride I wanted someone with experience so I'm not paranoid!
I wrote her a sort of 'guide' - what he's fed/his rugs and when he wears each/where the tack etc is.. I went into far more detail than I needed too!
She texts me after to let me know what's she's done and how he is.
Win win situation but can see how it can go wrong. If you find the right person it's a great arrangement :)
 
I'm a sharer and we are decent people, promise! I have managed to end up with 2 at the moment - one is my old share horse who was sold, but then returned in 24 hours! His owner still wants to sell so I've found another horse at the same yard, but because he hasnt sold I'm looking after him (not paying anymore though) until he goes, whilst sharing my new horse at the same time!

I muck out, feed, exercise, groom, clean buckets....you name it, I do it! I love both of them to bits, and will be very sad to see the original boy leave, but I'm still happy to keep going up there at 8am on weekends to turn him out and give him a bit of love!

Sharing is worth it, while I know there are some people out there who are not reliable, there are people out there who will look after your mare as you want - as long as you give them the instructions on how you want her looked after then they cant go too wrong!
 
kc100 said:
Sharing is worth it, while I know there are some people out there who are not reliable, there are people out there who will look after your mare as you want - as long as you give them the instructions on how you want her looked after then they cant go too wrong!
Click to expand...

What she said^^^^ :D
 
I certainly think it can work. I have two horses, and work full time in London. In the Spring I am planning both to live out at same place (currently living out at different places one on part livery and one on DIY) and to look for a sharer to help keep both in work and to share the field checks.

I have seen some really good sharers, and some not so good ones. Pretty much like horse owners ;-)
 
fab! so on the whole its seems folks are pretty positive about sharers.
I'm quite keen to at least see what responses I woulod get

and yes they would probably get a very long checklist at first :-)

Think i've just seen the other side at the small yard i'm on, the owner has two little cobs and she must have had about 12 people in the last year!!! all completely strange bar one - the only one still there.
there does seem to be a demand in my area but guess i would just take advice above and go with my own judgement.
I guess i can but try

here's hoping for a little gem :-)

anyone suggest where best to advertise please?

Thanks for all the comments abouve - has put my mind at rest a little,
x
 
I'm a sharer and think it works well for both me and the owner. She's happy to spend less time on care and riding as she works, and she's happy to get paid by me every month! I'm happy to learn more about looking after him, to build a bond with a horse (better than riding a different one each week at riding school) and to ride a couple of times a week instead of one riding school lesson a week as I did previously. Of course, it's a lot more work for me than going to a riding school (endless poo picking etc.) but worth it.

I searched for adverts on Preloved and Gumtree and Horsemart. Originally I was looking 'just to see what's out there' but accidentally went to see him and have been sharing him ever since! :) I found his advert on Preloved and that's where the majority seem to advertise.

An instruction book type thing would be a brilliant idea. In fact, this would have saved me a lot of embarrassment like when I found out some things I was using wasn't general yard stuff, but actually other people's! Mortified is not the word! As much information as possible is always good, although once they know things it's best not to interfere too much in the way of standing over their shoulder watching everything if you happen to be at the yard at the same time!
 
I shared. My hairy fairy, then ended up with him on full loan then I bought him. And wouldn't sell him for any amount of money. I have a girl who has him on part loan and her sister has a pony that lives with him in part loan. And they are teenagers (12 and 14 so ones not quite a teen yet). But are so dedicated and hard working. I enjoy having them around. I love that the ponies will get extra attention and most if all I love the fact the poo picking is kept on top of. :)
 
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