Sharing questions...

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Abacus

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Hi there - I have two questions really. I haven't shared my horse for a long time, since I was pregnant, and I seem to remember it being partly good (i.e. horse gets more work and love, I got a bit of money) and partly tricky (tying in the days we each did, organising the other person, which is more tricky than it should be!). I know for some people it is amazing if they find the right person and difficult if not. Is it really worth it?

The second question is about the lack of interest I have had in him. I have had him advertised for a couple of months now and no sensible viewings at all. People who can barely ride or are under 16, or can't drive (yard very remote). He is 17 but fit, well and still out eventing. I have offered any days of the week and as many as they want, all for the same price (25/week). Full livery so no jobs to do. They could compete, hack, school, jump or have lessons. Is this too expensive for a really nice horse in a lovely place? It's obviously a lot less than I pay for the livery, and makes me wonder if for around 100/month it's really worth bothering. I'm a bit perplexed though at the lack of interest. People only seem to want a full loan.

Thanks for any help. Sorry if this is the kind of question that gets posted a lot.
 
Sounds like a great deal to me - I'm surprised no ones taken your hand off! Where I am in cheshire you'd have endless enquiries! Maybe it's to do with how remote the yard is?

Worth asking visiting riding instructors if they know of anyone maybe looking?

Good luck!
 
I think the price is just right, its what my sharer pays for a similar share although she does two days a week (mid week) on set days unless agreed otherwise and occasionally a weekend day. Yard duties are required. I'm very fortunate in that I have a very lovely sharer who listens to how I like my horse looked after. I was about to give up on ever finding someone suitable but then through a friend I found her and she is great.

Don't give up. your right its not about the money but those two evenings a week I don't have to go to the yard makes for a happier home life, lol! Maybe broaden your advertising?
 
I'm afraid many people want something for nothing. They believe they are doing you a favour exercising your horse. They expect the share to be free. Stick with it you'll find the right person at some point. Good Luck.
 
No I think it sounds a good deal and you should hold out for the right person. My old boy was no where near as good a prospect and I found someone eventually ( actually after I had given up looking ). My sharer paid 25/week and had 2-3 days a week - no jobs. She hacked , schooled and had lessons, and gave him love and attention which was the best thing as due to work and children I was only getting up twice a week - he was on full livery.
 
Thanks so much for the reassurance. I am not advertising him free mostly because I want someone with some commitment. I think if they get something free they feel they are doing you a favour, and can therefore choose whether to ride or not. He's a really good horse and they aren't cheap to keep, compared with a riding school this would be so cheap.

We are based in south oxfordshire. The yard is actually only a mile from Henley and about 3 from Marlow, and lots of other towns around - commutable from Reading or High Wycombe, for example. But the actual location requires a car unless you are an extremely keen walker / cyclist.

I have advertised on Preloved and did put him on Facebook which probably got the best response but also a lot of rubbish. Is there anywhere else free or not too expensive to advertise, that is worth trying? I used Horsequest when i put him on loan 3 years ago and did get a good response but it's quite expensive.

Thanks again.
 
I used to pay £180 per month for something similar (albeit younger horse) - so definitely good value!

Advertise on Preloved (remember to keep updating/renewing your ad otherwise it drops down the pages), Facebook, Equine Adverts, Horsemart....they are all free. Could also try local riding schools - when I came out of riding schools (I'd gone as far as I could go with it) I wanted a share horse, was hard to find something without too many issues (most horses up for share tend to have something wrong with them!), so if there are any locally you could put the word out as I'm sure they'll be someone looking to take the next step but might not know where to look.
 
Price actually sounds quite cheap for a horse on full livery and as many days and they want to do. Apart from suggestions already made, you could try putting an advert up in any local tack/feed shops. Also, do you have any horse forums that people based in your area use as they can be a useful place to advertise for a share as well.
 
Thanks again for the comments and suggestions. I think I need to expand my advertising as clearly preloved isn't doing it. He's now on horsemart as well, and more to follow...
 
That's a very good price for what you're offering!
Years ago when I was a sharer, I used to pay £75 a month for 3 days a week for a horse that wasn't that good in the school, okay to hack, but I lost my confidence completely on him, and I had to do all stable chores too!
Facebook is definitely the best place to advertise now, keep at it, someone will turn up, or word of mouth is always good :)
 
Thanks again! I have now put him on FB and had a couple of more sensible sounding replies so there is still hope!
 
Abacus said:
Hi there - I have two questions really. I haven't shared my horse for a long time, since I was pregnant, and I seem to remember it being partly good (i.e. horse gets more work and love, I got a bit of money) and partly tricky (tying in the days we each did, organising the other person, which is more tricky than it should be!). I know for some people it is amazing if they find the right person and difficult if not. Is it really worth it?

The second question is about the lack of interest I have had in him. I have had him advertised for a couple of months now and no sensible viewings at all. People who can barely ride or are under 16, or can't drive (yard very remote). He is 17 but fit, well and still out eventing. I have offered any days of the week and as many as they want, all for the same price (25/week). Full livery so no jobs to do. They could compete, hack, school, jump or have lessons. Is this too expensive for a really nice horse in a lovely place? It's obviously a lot less than I pay for the livery, and makes me wonder if for around 100/month it's really worth bothering. I'm a bit perplexed though at the lack of interest. People only seem to want a full loan.

Thanks for any help. Sorry if this is the kind of question that gets posted a lot.
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It sounds like a great arrangement that a good sharer would be lucky to have so I wouldn't worry about the arrangement or price which is totally fair (some shares charge more than that for a horse that can do everything and no jobs). You probably just haven't come across the right person yet. Word of mouth is best!! Advertise on facebook, tell all your horsey friends, your riding instructor as well as the usual advertising. Put a poster up at shows or local equestrian centres that are frequented for clinics and comps. It is definitely worth it if you find a good one. Mine is fab, we have roughly set days but we are both also flexible when it comes to which weekend day etc if someone has an other commitment and it works out for both of us.
 
I have quite a lot of experience finding sharers for horses and the main thing is how you present the horse in your ad. Make sure there are photos, be totally clear about who would be suitable and be aware that people massively overestimate their riding ability... But also don't just advertise in free p,aces... Try horse art, horse and hound... Anything with 'horse' in the title! These got me a lot more attention than preloved and my experience on Facebook has been of a lot of interest and enthusiasm but mostly unsuitable people. Price is very reasonable by the way... I would even go higher.
 
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