Still musing what to do with the destroyer

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

I posted a while back about the pros and cons of sharers.
In brief I now have a permanent job in consulting which means i am away from home 3 days a week.
Hubby looks after the boys whilst I'm away but obviously just rides Omar - occasionally takes hovis out for a hack but not regularly as he doesn't have time to ride both.
So what to do?
Do i accept that Hovis doesn't get ridden 3 days a week or do I look for a sharer?
Hovis is a star, I am a wobbly novice with nerves from hell and he's great. BUT he can be strong. Rarely in the school but he can out hacking etc. Its never malicious - he's just a big young boy and he gets excited. He's now in a cheltenham gag and it stops him well but i worry it might put people off. Plus with that bit in i'd want someone with good hands (my riding is pants on the whole but i do have soft hands!!).
So I don't know what to do?
How would i advertise him? I wouldn't want to put people off but he IS a big big horse who can be strong. Ironically if you don't fight with him its easier than if you attempt to battle with him.
He jumps xc and sj really well although we're not pushing him and hacks out well.
I know I'm waffling but I could do with some help working this through in my mind.

 

[pnap]

If it were me I'd rather that he wasn't ridden for 3 days a week than perhaps take on a sharer who MAY undo some of your hard work. 3 days off a week is not that many for what seems to be more a pleasure horse than a serious competition animal.

 

[MrsMozart]

Depends on how fit you want to keep him

. I know how you feel, your job is similar to mine only I usually end up away for five days a week

If, given that he's young and still maturing, you don't need him really fit, I'd leave him to chill for three days a week

. If on the other hand an ideal sharer popped up, I'd be tempted otherwise you'll guilt yourself into riding every day you can which is not always easy when you're only home part of the week.

Hugs and a hot choccy hun.

 

[Barneykins]

Mrs Mozart is right (as usual)

. The horse would choose not to be riddden 3 days a week - it will do him no harm (other than fitness), but if an angel of a sharer happened to come along you could give it a try - it would all depend on who the sharer would be

 

[Cupcake_Fairy]

Send him up my way

If I remember correctly, you're working in Scotland 3 days a week, and I am half heartedly looking for a share horse to bring on.
Makes perfect sense to me...

 

[A1fie]

I think you should pack him up and send him to me! I would totally understand him and never make him see horrible Army man!

If you are not minded to that, and TBH I'm not holding my breath

I would agree with all the other posters and leave him unridden for three days a week.

In the summer I ride a nearly every day but I know that I can't in the winter. My lad is nearly as big as yours and can also be strong. If he was ridden every day he would be at the peak of fitness which might not necessarily be a good thing!

Agree that there is no harm in letting him take time off especially as he doesn't seem to explode if not ridden every day.

 

[Daffodil]

I always worry myself to death if someone else rides my horse for me, and I'm not there

. Agree with Mrs M's suggestion.

So long as he still has access to the computer every Friday!

 

[Theresa_F]

Mine get three days off a week all the time as I only ride or exercise four days a week - Tuesday, Thursdays and weekends.

I can assure you that they are very happy with this arrangement, indeed if I go to ride three/four days in a row I do get met with odd looks and the Clydesdale Rule of One kicks in.

Unless you need him super fit, I would leave things.

I do let the teens on the yard hack mine out from time to time when I can't do it as they love hacking and Farra would rather hack than school given the chance. Occasionally other friends/people on the yard ride them, but I don't have sharers.

If I could get the right person, I would consider it for the days I don't ride, but it would have to be a personal recommendation or someone I knew as I don't want to risk the two youngsters being taught bad habits.

 

[Faro]

I go with the three days off routine as well, just as long as he's got adequate turnout on the "non-riding" days.

(Mine actually get 5 days off a week each year from now until spring) as I've got no lights and only got the weekends to ride.

What is most important, however, is to highlight what Daffodil said and that is to make sure that he has access to the computer every Friday!

 

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

He has turnout all day every day so he's fine to stretch his legs and have a good run about with his mates.
I guess i just worry about him getting enough exercise but I'm sure he doesn't mind.
I'm lucky that he's not an arse if not worked but I'd like to keep him fairly fit.
I guess the answer is if there are any angels wanting to share in my neck of the woods then I'll go for it but otherwise he gets 3 days off a week.
And of course he'll be allowed near a computer on a friday! (We actually met people at the hunt on sunday that had read his diary!!)

 

[Theresa_F]

Another thought - you said he is very bum up at the moment, might not do him any harm to take things a little easier whilst he is growing into himself again. Stinky is about 2" higher at one end at the moment, hence he is like a yak, and mainly doing hacking and bit of fun jumping and once a week in the school ridden work until Christmas to give him time to adjust to his new height.

That said the pair of them will meet the clippers at the end of the month - it will be more like sheep shearing than horse clipping they are so hairy.

Farra is sporting the more mud and burrs than hair forelock look at the moment. Cairo would be disgusted - he was a very clean old chap, nothing like her slobiness.