Sharers - Pros and Cons

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CobsGalore

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I am thinking about moving my horse to a yard with better facilities and then advertising for a sharer to help out.

I have never considered getting a sharer before, and quite simply, have never really liked the idea of someone else riding my horse and making decisions without me (I'm a control freak).

However, a friend of mine used to say exactly the same, but recently got a sharer (she was very picky with the people who turned up), and she says she doesn't know why she didn't do it years ago and wouldn't change her sharer for the world!

I suppose a little part of me also thinks that the bond I share with my horse might go a little if someone else is looking after him half of the time. Selfish I know.

But then the other part of me thinks it will be good for him to have another person riding etc.

Can anyone tell me both positive and negative experiences of having a sharer?? - I am in two minds!
 
A friend of mine just parted with a sharer that had shared her horse for a long time and initially seemed like a perfect match, but recently the sharer started arguing the owners' decisions, refused to follow rules and directions that had been set at the beginning of the share (and to which the sharer initially had agreed), and it gradually came to light how what the sharer had been telling the owner differed from what was really going on with the horse and their riding on the sharers' days. The sharer had slowly started acting as if the horse was actually theirs, and spoke as if the actual owner should feel guilty of wanting to, for example, change the feed, reevaluate the saddle fit, etc. It ended fast and messy, but the owner is much happier now.

Myself, I wouldn't share a horse. It seems that it just calls for bringing a heap of problems onto you, when interests of a sharer and an owner clash.
 
I used to share a horse when I first moved to England, I went and tried out the horse (wtc, jump and out on the road as well as showing that I could lunge properly) and the owner pretty much made me do everything yard wise too that day so that he was able to see that I was capable of the stable management side of the deal - we honestly just clicked (me, the owner and the horse!) and we shared happily for about 6months - at that point, my job meant I had to move around a lot and the owner also decided he wanted something bigger so we parted ways as sharers...but almost 7 years on we are still friends and exchange horsey gossip on a fairly regular basis! Good experience from my point of view - the main thing that helped to ensure this was a good experience was a really clear contract stating days I was responsible for, what financial contribution I was giving, what I could do with the horse (basically everything - lessons, schooling, hacking etc), what feed the horse got, how the bedding was to be kept etc etc...it was really detailed but I was happy with that as my owner was then more comfortable leaving his precious beast in the hands of someone else. If your potential sharer doesn't want to do things your way with your horse, I wouldn't pursue them as a sharer as it's bound to cause arguments at some point down the line!
Good luck!
 
Pro
- a few lie ins/ nights off
- a little cash
- extra exercise for your horse

Cons
- difficult to find someone sensible/ reliable
- a little loss of control

I've had some lovely sharers, one of which I eventually full loaned the horse to and then sold him to her. Equally I had one that was nuts, after a time on box rest I asked her to build up his work slowly she said fine then (when I was out) took him in the school and did loads of jumping - she told my husband(!) that she thought I was talking nonsence and would just do what she wanted behind my back - she left extremely soon afterwards!
 
I'm a sharer - am on my 3rd share horse now, I've had 2 great experiences and one not so great. Not so great one was owner said she had thought about selling horse before but decided against it, only for me to build a bond with the horse, have lots of lessons with him and generally love him like he was my own - only for her to then sell him. So it felt as though I'd been used to school him and bring him on a bit (she was too busy with kids), then she sold him and I was very upset.

But then next share horse had the most lovely owner, he didnt ride anymore but didnt want horse to go to waste so I rode him, competed him, enjoyed every minute and owner seemed very happy too, was such a shame horse went lame with arthritis and needed a quieter life. So now I'm on horse 3, owner doesnt have time to ride her so I have her as often as I like - mare is very difficult but as a share it works well for both of us.

I think if you find the right person a share is brilliant - they give you a break from riding/caring for your horse, they financially contribute and love the horse like its their own (hopefully). HOWEVER in your case it sounds like the only reason you are considering a share is for the money, and I dont think that is a good enough reason on its own to find a sharer. The shares that have worked best for me have both been because the owner doesnt have time to ride anymore or doesnt want to ride anymore, so they needed someone to keep the horse in work and not let the horse go to waste.

It sounds like you dont really want anybody else riding or looking after your horse, you just want their money. I think you'd be best staying at your current yard to be honest and keeping the horse to yourself.

I like to think of myself as a good sharer, I would never question the owners management of their horse and always follow the rules set by the owner - after all horses are expensive, the owner invests a lot to have that horse so ultimately the horse's care is down to them. But I'm sure there are other sharers out there who dont respect this, some are not reliable (dont turn up) and generally can cause more hassle than they are worth.

So I think you have the wrong reason for wanting a sharer plus it takes a lot of time and effort finding a good sharer, so in this case I probably wouldnt bother if I were you and just stay on the cheaper yard.
 
kc100 said:
It sounds like you dont really want anybody else riding or looking after your horse, you just want their money. I think you'd be best staying at your current yard to be honest and keeping the horse to yourself.

So I think you have the wrong reason for wanting a sharer plus it takes a lot of time and effort finding a good sharer, so in this case I probably wouldnt bother if I were you and just stay on the cheaper yard.
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Thanks for sharing your experience.

Sorry I don't think I explained myself very well - looking for a sharer is more to do with time than money. He lives out 24/7 at the moment and if he moved to new yard with better facilities there would be more time involved.

OH and I are also planning on starting a family soon, and I would ideally like to find someone I trust looking after and riding my boy before then. - If I don't then I am happy for him to just have some time off in the field, but I would rather he was out and about doing something.
 
I'm a sharer and have been told I'm a good one. I fit in with the owner's routine and get on well with her. I pay £87 a month for 2-3 days per week and do jobs on my days - muck out, feed, exercise, fill nets, rug up, groom if needed. I love doing it and I think it works really well for all three of us, horsey included! We have a great bond and on my days it's like he's my own horse. His owner is always saying treat him like he's your own, as she trusts me after seeing how I've looked after him so far, to have fun but be safe and caring. It gives her time to study as she's training to be an accountant so lots of exams and revision, and it gives me the chance to have a horse without committing full time as I have a very demanding job with lots of travel so could never commit to my own one.

However it sounds like you're not going to be happy with your horse having, essentially, two people to love him. You'll have to have a good think about this as you may resent even the loveliest and most dedicated sharer you find, which will lead to problems.
 
I was a sharer, and will be a sharer again soon. I never questioned the owners judgement, after all they own the horse not me. As long as you set out clearly what you do/don't want in the beginning to make sure there are no areas of confusion, and vet the sharer-with a trial period, there is no reason why it can't work for you. Good luck, there are people out there that will love your horse as their own, and be grateful to you for the opportunity to share a horse without the huge financial responsibility/time commitment.
 
henmother said:
I was a sharer, and will be a sharer again soon. I never questioned the owners judgement, after all they own the horse not me. As long as you set out clearly what you do/don't want in the beginning to make sure there are no areas of confusion, and vet the sharer-with a trial period, there is no reason why it can't work for you. Good luck, there are people out there that will love your horse as their own, and be grateful to you for the opportunity to share a horse without the huge financial responsibility/time commitment.
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Thank you - I need to find someone like you!

A trial period is also a really good idea.
 
CobsGalore said:
Thanks for sharing your experience.

Sorry I don't think I explained myself very well - looking for a sharer is more to do with time than money. He lives out 24/7 at the moment and if he moved to new yard with better facilities there would be more time involved.

OH and I are also planning on starting a family soon, and I would ideally like to find someone I trust looking after and riding my boy before then. - If I don't then I am happy for him to just have some time off in the field, but I would rather he was out and about doing something.
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Oh I see - well then I think a sharer would definitely be a good idea if its not really for the money! I think providing you find a good sharer who is reliable then the pros will far outweigh the cons. But you just have to be patient, vet people carefully and most important - make them sign a contract (and have a months trial) before you do anything.

If you perhaps start advertising now you can see what happens, if you find over the next couple of months that no-one suitable contacts you then you can maybe decide to give pony a field holiday instead. However I will say one thing, as a sharer it would completely put me off if the horse was living out 24/7 and had no facilities to ride in. I'm 26 and work full time so not a typical teenage sharer, I want to ride after work so need a floodlit menage through winter in order to ride - so you might find that you dont get many suitable people contacting you until you move yards.

But ultimately you can put an advert up, see who gets in touch and if there is no-one suitable then they dont even have to come and see your horse. You decide who gets to come and see him and ride so if you dont feel happy with anyone riding him then that's absolutely fine for you to say no to them.
 
Hmm this is a very difficult one... I've had various sharers over the years of owning horses, some good and some not so good!

On the whole I'd probably say... don't bother. Please don't shoot me!! But no matter how good a sharer is, they will never ride and look after your horse like you do!

But sometimes needs must and by that I'm talking about time, rather than money and then you have to have to put your inhibitions to one side and do what's best for your horse.

I currently have a very good sharer, she's been with me for about 6 years now. She started on my old boy who retired about 3 years ago and so then naturally moved on to my horse who I'd just retired from SJ. She's not the best rider in the world and yes, doesn't do things exactly how I would. BUT she's reliable, dependable and cares - so that's what's most important to me.

;)
 
kc100 said:
However I will say one thing, as a sharer it would completely put me off if the horse was living out 24/7 and had no facilities to ride in. I'm 26 and work full time so not a typical teenage sharer, I want to ride after work so need a floodlit menage through winter in order to ride - so you might find that you dont get many suitable people contacting you until you move yards.
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I completely understand this and because of this won't be advertising until he has moved yards and has settled in. :)
 
I took on a share last year. Horse was ex racer and green. Owner needed confident rider to get him used to hacking out etc. initially she said I could have lessons on him. However she then started having lessons on him herself and refused to let me school or have lessons because he was doing enough work. I only ever hacked out with her. This in itself wasn't a problem but it turned out that she was nervous about trot or canter in open spaces so we walked everywhere most of the time.
Share ended when horse spooked and fell with me still in the saddle.
I've looked at a few share adverts on Preloved and there many like the one I had which seem to be looking for someone to school their horse and pay for the privilege. I'd be wary of taking in another share because my previous experience was less than positive. However my inexperience meant that I did not get anything in writing and when she changed the rules I had nothing to refer back to. So overall she though she wanted to 'share' but what she really wanted was a rider who would pay to ride her horse when and how and only when and how she chose and cover the cost of the horses livery!
There are good sharers about OP but for your peace of mind and their's, make sure the rules and conditions are clearly established at the start..And don't get jealous when your horse starts to bond with the sharer.
 
I have had a really lovely sharer no trouble at all, and then I had the woman from hell, she used to fall off quite a bit and once let the horse go and she ran accross a very busy road, ok it was an accident I understand that but then my stuff started to go missing, she then told a few people on the yard she was buying my horse off me, when I spoke to her about this she went crazy, told me I was mistreating my horse and that she would be watching me, she then started to ring my home number in the middle of the night, she left me quite a few not very nice messages on the answer phone, saying I was being watched and that I would be punished, scary stuff, I later found out she had mental problems and quite a few other yards new of her and her antics, she had caused a whole load of trouble for another girl whose horse she was sharing, told everyone the girl was pregnant and a. Load of other lies, scary thing was she lived local to me and I often saw her in the supermarket, she never used to even look at me, so beware there are some nutters out there.
 
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Pinkvboots said:
I have had a really lovely sharer no trouble at all, and then I had the woman from hell, she used to fall off quite a bit and once let the horse go and she ran accross a very busy road, ok it was an accident I understand that but then my stuff started to go missing, she then told a few people on the yard she was buying my horse off me, when I spoke to her about this she went crazy, told me I was mistreating my horse and that she would be watching me, she then started to ring my home number in the middle of the night, she left me quite a few not very nice messages on the answer phone, saying I was being watched and that I would be punished, scary stuff, I later found out she had mental problems and quite a few other yards new of her and her antics, she had caused a whole load of trouble for another girl whose horse she was sharing, told everyone the girl was pregnant and a. Load of other lies, scary thing was she lived local to me and I often saw her in the supermarket, she never used to even look at me, so beware there are some nutters out there.
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That's scary!!
 
CobsGalore said:
Thank you - I need to find someone like you!

A trial period is also a really good idea.
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Aww thanks, not that I'm much use in a wheelchair but by god I'll find a way round it :)
Seriously though, I think this time of year is a great time to start searching. It's all about hard work, clarty horses , dirty beds, stinking weather that might prevent riding. Sharing isn't just about riding, it's the full package. Your sharer should be keen and willing to learn from you, learn your methods so horse is comfortable with a new person . Come the summer you'll have your pick of sharers, but if you found someone now, or soon, that is willing to get up in the dark, do the jobs in peeing down rain, whether they can ride or not, you'll know how serious and dedicated they are.
In defence of good sharers , there are some strange owners out there too.I found out too late and had already fell I love with horse even after what happened I still think of her.
Good luck in your search.
 
I have two horses and while I don't have a sharer as such I do have someone who comes and rides with me. We hack out, mooch about the fields and do a few bits and bobs together. I also take her with me on fun rides and to local shows etc.

The pros for me is it is nice to have someone to hack out with/go to events with now and again and it gives my youngster confidence going out with her field mate. She doesn't do any sole responsibility (although now and again she will come up and do them if I'm away so that is a big bonus). She also doesn't have to do any chores but she will usually help me fill hay nets after we have ridden.

She pays for any events she goes to, fun rides or showing classes entries plus she usually pays me a token amount per day she rides towards costs. I don't charge her for fuel or anything as I'm going anyway. She is also able to have lessons on either of mine if she chooses to.

I'm also hoping to have a baby at some point soon and I thought it would be good to have someone who knows both horses who can come and ride them (or just pamper them a bit) when I would be out of action.

Not a traditional share but it works for us.
 
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