Should I look for a sharer/rider?

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Aniseed

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I'm already struggling to motivate myself to ride now that it is so dark in the evenings and I'm worried my horses fitness is going to sufffer so I'm considering trying to find someone to ride her a couple of days a week. Trouble is I have had a sharer before and really couldn't cope with it so I would be literally be looking for someone to ride and leave again with no money exchanging hands in either direction. Is this realistic or is it somethin I would have to pay for?

My horse is really lovely and a very easy ride for somene competent, but she tends to take the p**s out of anyone inexperienced and can be a bit sharp. I'm just wondering if its the kind of arrangement someone would be interested in. We have quite good hacking, p2p course and a floodlit school. I intend to hunt a couple of times a month and am not sure how I am going to keep her fit for it by just riding three times a week.
 
I would jump at a chance like this! I've been looking for ages for a horse I could help exercise, mainly just riding as I have my own 2 year old and completely miss the riding side of things.

I'm sure you would someone more than happy to exercise your horse for you, especially as it's free riding, and they'd welcome the opportunity. If you were a bit closer to me, I'd offer, but alas, I'm in Somerset lol. But I definitely think you could find someone, as long as you're happy with their riding skills
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If you have the motivation to hunt a few times a month surely that is enough motivation to put the hard work in during the week?

can you not include lunging in your weekly routine (if you dont already)... a good lunge is equally as good as schooling & takes half the time? i presume you give your horse a day off, could this be given during the week so you only exercise 4 days a week & exercise during the day at weekends?

i dont wish to offend you at all but personally i dont think you should look for a sharer & put the hard work in yourself, once you have been out a few times this should bring your enthusiasm back. i dont think its only you, i think we all struggle at this time of year.
 
I have just got a sharer as I work full time and it's too dark to ride, but I do go and bring him in and groom him every night. So my new sharer (an old friend) will just come and ride no money either way and look in on the other older horse we have, then I'll go after work and feed them both.

So yes it can be done, good luck with it.
 
Neither my horse or I enjoy schooling very much, so keeping her fit wasn't a problem up until the clocks changed because we just went out for a hack after work.

Maybe I should give it a month and see if I manage to get into the swing of things again before I start looking for someone. I hate the winter!
 
I'm looking for just that situation, somewhere I can turn up, spend a bit of time with the horse but mostly just get on and ride/lunge etc.
I can't afford lessons at a RS or to contribute to another horse as I have my own but he is semi-retired so I miss the riding side of things which is why I'm looking for something like that and don't have the time to commit to a 'share' or part loan. I certainly wouldn't want or expect to be paid for this as in my eyes we'd both be doing each other a favour.
(I'm lucky that if I stay up here I have the offer of this type of thing from another lovely HHO'er) but there will be people looking for this type of situation- perhaps some-one with a horse on box rest or a youngster, who just wants to ride. You can only advertise and see what happens, you don't need to feel obliged to go through with it.

Tho as some-one has already said, it could just be the time of year, once you go out once or twice maybe you'll get your motivation back? Also, you'd need to be clear with the rider if it was a winter only arrangement, if they could hunt/compete/hack too etc so that should spring and lighter nights come they don't get a shock if you turn round and said you wanted the riding back again.
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I think if you aren't asking for money you should find someone fairly easily.

I'll say what I always say, it is well worth looking at your local RS and asking instructors. They often know of people looking for more experience outside a school environment who are competent riders. You local instructors and livery yards may know of someone whose horse is out of action too.

At our RS one of the liveries has just been told her horse needs three months box rest, she had just got him fit from last time and was all set for her first hunt. I know she would jump at this sort of opportunity as with her horse still costing her to keep she will struggle to do much riding.
 
I've just been wanting the same thing and hopefully I have found the right person (although they have been asking for part loan which I am not happy to do). Like you I want them to turn up and ride 1 - 3 times a week and then put my horse back in his field. I don't want money or help looking after him just exercise on days OH can't do as he rides as well but has been busy with his job and I have my mare to exercise too (we share both horses but the gelding is the only one I would trust with other riders).
 
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