SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
I've debated whether or not to post this as it might be thinking too far ahead (because I've started riding again after several years off and feel a bit like I did as a horse mad kid, except now I'm in my late 20's and have my own funds and transport...). Although I'm not about to rush into anything, so from that point of view I do think it's a good idea to start getting a more solid idea of things I actually need to consider around sharing a horse.
Firstly I wondered if there's things to be wary of when looking as a first time sharer (I get the sense from reading on here that buying/selling can be tricky and people are not always honest but is there any equivalent within sharing that I need to be careful of?)
The other thing is whether there are times of year that are better to be looking. Where I am there does seem to be a lot of shares offered but also quite a lot of people looking.
Finally, what's a good gauge of 'readiness'? I'm a novice and feel it's important to be upfront about that, but equally don't want to sell myself short. From the horse care side of things I helped at a few different RSs for about 4-5 years, and I did some of the ABRS stable management certificates. I'm a bit rusty but I hope wouldn't take too much time to pick things up again. Riding wise, I'm back having lessons and this would be something I'd want to be able to do with a share horse still. I'll also have a conversation with my current instructor about sharing being my mid-long term goal to get her take on what I need to be doing.
Sorry that's a bit long - any thoughts/tips/things I need to have in mind would be much appreciated!
Firstly I wondered if there's things to be wary of when looking as a first time sharer (I get the sense from reading on here that buying/selling can be tricky and people are not always honest but is there any equivalent within sharing that I need to be careful of?)
The other thing is whether there are times of year that are better to be looking. Where I am there does seem to be a lot of shares offered but also quite a lot of people looking.
Finally, what's a good gauge of 'readiness'? I'm a novice and feel it's important to be upfront about that, but equally don't want to sell myself short. From the horse care side of things I helped at a few different RSs for about 4-5 years, and I did some of the ABRS stable management certificates. I'm a bit rusty but I hope wouldn't take too much time to pick things up again. Riding wise, I'm back having lessons and this would be something I'd want to be able to do with a share horse still. I'll also have a conversation with my current instructor about sharing being my mid-long term goal to get her take on what I need to be doing.
Sorry that's a bit long - any thoughts/tips/things I need to have in mind would be much appreciated!