Sharers???

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Stormhillpilgrim

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Hi all,

It's been a while since I've been on here but, hoping you can help me with a little advice please?

If you need a sharer what is the best way to go about finding a decent one? I have a lovely but typically tricky warmblood dressage horse whom I am trying to find a sharer for and it is just so hard to find someone suitable!

Any help or advice would be much appreciated. :rolleyes:
 
I found my previous share horses on a local website. There are lots of facebook pages for horse communities in different areas so try that or putting ads up in local tack shops. Once you have found a potential sharer say that you want a couple of weeks or a month trial period before reassessing so that you can get rid of anyone awful/unreliable and so the person sharing gets a chance to try the horse out properly before signing any full on agreements. Make sure they have rider insurance! And be clear about what duties and money will be required prior to arranging a trial period to avoid any awkwardness.

Also be honest (to the point of being over the top about bad points) about your horse; I lost count of the amount of horses I trialled that were described as safe this and bombproof that but were in effect unsafe and the owners were looking for free help AND money having lost confidence themselves! Also try and be on site for the trial sharer when they are initially riding the horse to try and avoid your horse being ridden badly or accidents happening if you happen to get someone along who is a bit overestimating in their abilities!! It can work out great all round but best to test the water first and have an opt out if it isn't working out.

Good luck finding someone decent!
 
I'm a sharer, and if you were in the Midlands I would jump at the chance of sharing your horse, you dont get many warmbloods up for share so I'm sure it wont be hard for you to find someone!

Advertise (with photos) online as this is the main route for sharers looking for horses - Preloved, equine adverts, horsemart, maybe even on British Dressage due to the calibre of your horse (not the typical cobs that are normally up for share!).

Be clear about the contribution you require each month, and be clear about the chores the sharer will need to do. Give as much info as possible - what facilities does the yard have, how many days per week do you want the sharer to have, what can they do on your horse (does he jump or is it just dressage?), what is he like to hack, do you have transport, how old is he....etc. Also be clear about the sort of person you are looking for - something like this:
"XXX(horse's name) needs an experienced and confident rider, someone who can handle an occasionally tricky dressage horse"

As well as advertising online try local tack shops, newsagents, riding schools too (there my well be plenty of people looking to move on from riding lessons and a share would be ideal).

Most of all - be patient! There are lots of rubbish sharers out there who wont be suitable for your horse, but someone will come along eventually. Ask anyone who wants to come see him to visit the yard and walk round with you first, then come back a second time for a ride. This cuts out the silly ones who want to jump on and ride straight away.
 
Thanks guys, that's really helpful.

KC10 really good idea about not letting them ride first time they come out, as you say will put of the gungho ones. Although if anyone did just try to jump on him and take off he would probably kill them lol!

I will try on the BD site, actually hadn't thought of that and I am a member, doh lol!

Xxx
 
I used the equine adverts website. It took quite a while. I was totally honest about both horses, one is a fiesty thing, but good, the other is easier but very big. I got a few "all about me" types ring initially - I didn't want any money, offered the opportunity to compete, and as many days as they liked, but still they weren't sure if they would get enough out of it... Then two nice people popped up. One has been riding the easier horse for a while, she is quite novice, but v honest and learns fast. The other is a very experienced rider, probably better than me, who had worked with horses, who gets on great with the more awkward horse.
 
Word of mouth is usually the best one. Let people know that you're on the lookout for a sharer, chances are someone will know of a frustrated horsey person dying to get back in the saddle! Preloved can be pretty good too, as it's more local than a lot of sites.
 
Again thanks guys, so far had someone ask if she could have him to event......he s***s himself at puddles lol!
The other had 2 years experience around horses and was an ok rider......translate to he would have killed her!
Igglepop I am East Sussex nr Lewes. X
 
try local horsey facebook pages, there are a lot of those around lately! That's where I found my share horse, was only looking for a week and saw the owner's add, went to try him and loved him as soon as I sat on him!
 
Do you know any good instructors in the area? They may have some good clients that would like a decent share. We certainly had some good tip offs to shares from previous instructors and you would be able to get an idea of sharers ability before trying too.
 
I know this is so late but I live in Lewes and am looking to exercise/share a horse, ideally a warmblood. Am 20 yo and 9st but lots of experience :) message me if you never found anyone
 
have to say if I was told I couldn't ride the horse on the first trial I'd think the owner was crazy/precious. The whole idea of a share of a riding horse is to ride, not to admire the yard!
 
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