Sharing experiences

[parsley]

I have been thinking of getting someone to share my boy for two reasons:
I injured my back a few years ago and hacking is very painful after a while so I have found more and more that i just school (which doesn't hurt) but it means that my boy doesn't get out a lot, which he likes!
We could do with a bit of help with the finances.

I don't have any problem with all the looking after etc so I don't need a sharer for this reason.

Neither reason makes it essential that I get someone to share - it would just be a bit easier/nicer. There is an advert in the local paper today from someone near me who says that they are experienced and have competed to a high standard but have not ridden for 5 years wanting to share due to work commitments.

Part of me is thinking - "sounds ideal!" and the other part is worrying about how they will treat him, what he will think, what problems will occur etc

(OH thinks I love the horse a lot more than him).

What are other people's experiences - good and bad - and does anyone have any tips?

 

[flowerlady]

Ring them and ask them to come round to meet you at the stables so you can see how they ride and how they handle your horse in the school. Let them ride for approx one hour so you can get a better idea than just a 10 minute ride. Only then do I think you will know whether or not you would let them loose on your horse. Also they may not think that your horse is suitable for them. (It could happen) But better an hour now than lot of worrying later?

 

[parsley]

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Also they may not think that your horse is suitable for them.

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Yes - I did think this as well - I think hes lovely but he isn't everybody's ideal handsome horse - thanks for offering some thoughts

 

[cavalo branco]

Well, feeling upset with my sharer ATM and debating whether to call it a day!! She doesn't give me money but helps with stablework while I am working. She is lovely, looks after him beautifully, has a lesson a week with my instructor, perfect I thought! However subtle mistakes with her riding skills have meant that I have had to correct them, difficult when you compete. This evening I brought him in to find his mouth sore with small splits. I think that I've had enough!! I feel badly but my horse comes first. So, the moral is, expect things to not go smoothly and don't feel shy about ending the arrangement.