Struggling sharer

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hoovesforthought

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Hi all. Long time reader here.

I know it's the first time i've posted but I need some advice.

I've been a sharer of a wonderful horse for some time now. However, my circumstances have changed and i'm starting to struggle money wise. As such, i'm also struggling to pay for my share. I'm not sure what to do, because the owner is wonderful and has been great allowing me to occasionally compete the horse. I did more competing last year, but not really this year due to lack of funds. I use to have regular lessons too with a good instructor but have stopped those to save money. Even still, I'm struggling and i've already made as many cuts in other parts of my life as I can.

I don't earn as much as I did before and I've also moved further away from the yard, which means i'm paying more on petrol. Up until recently I went about 3/4 times a week (allowed to go as much as I want) but now I go 2/3 times week.

I'm thinking I can either cut it town to once a week (maybe the odd week I can go twice a week) to save ££ on petrol and pay the same amount to owner as before or I can ask if the contribution can be cut down?

I feel really awkward about having this conversation with the owner though, not helped by the fact the horse is off work at the moment in case they think it's just because i've lost interest. Just to add, I do yard duties when down.

What should I do?
I do love the horse like my own.
 
Is the horse on DIY? Or are there more yard duties you could pick up to save the owner some livery cost in exchange for lower payment? I think it will be best to sit down and have a chat with the owner, and just explain it all really as you have here.
 
Speak to the owner. Unless you talk, you don't know what her priorities are. She may want the contribution or assistance/Riding may be more important to her. Until you talk, there is no point worrying.
Good luck
 
are you still paying while the horse is off work??
could you suggest maybe a 'pay as you go' type agreement, so you can just pay a set amount to her every time you want to ride/have a spare bit of cash for a ride
 
Getting a part time job eg in a pub can work well, it saves on entertainment and sometimes you get fed, I once had three jobs [aparently I was indispensible at the pub]. and I had to keep going to the building society with my takings!
 
If you want to cut down your time and payment to 1 day perhaps you could suggest getting a second sharer so the owner effectively doesn't lose so much sharer money and exercise for the horse. I know if I had a sharer for any of mine I don't think one day a week would be worth the bother really. Hope it all works out :)
 
cobalobM said:
are you still paying while the horse is off work??
could you suggest maybe a 'pay as you go' type agreement, so you can just pay a set amount to her every time you want to ride/have a spare bit of cash for a ride
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That's not very fair on the owner. A horse's costs do not go down and are fixed. I would be very cross if someone suggested that. Best thing is to talk the owner to understand her priorities and then to see if the pair of you can work out a compromise.
 
As others have suggested - can you do more jobs at the yard in exchange for paying less?

Failing that, unless you have the time to get a P/T job (which would eat into your time for horse-activities unfortunately) perhaps it might be wise to take a break for a while and regroup.

I would try and speak to the owner - honesty is always the best policy. It may even be that once you've explained, if they're keen to hang on to you, they may give you a period of grace whilst you sort yourself out.

Can you look for a better paid job? That seems to me to be the obvious answer and will allow you to enjoy a better standard of living and hopefully keep your horse. Where there's a will there's (usually) a way. Good luck x
 
First things first, talk to the owner. Then when you know where she stands, you can start to think about the options.

Reliable sharers who treat the horse well and can ride well are hard to come by. I have one (how lucky am I!?) and if she ever came to me, I would have no hesitations in reducing her contribution or letting her have a total payment holiday.

Your financial situation isn't permanent, so it could be that she feels the same as me and would rather let you have a few months free until you sort things out rather than lose you altogether.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for your replies! The horse is on DIY so I do what yard duties are needed when down, including box and making feeds etc. Someone else mentioned getting a bar job, which is a good idea but I don't have the time. And getting a new job isn't possible either, i love my new job and while it isn't well paid I hope it won't always be that way but it does take up a lot of my time.

I know really I should take a break to try and save money and sort out my finances but I do love the horse and I don't want to let the owner down. I'm just anxious of having the conversation, because I do worry and I don't want the owner to think bad of me.

Another sharer could be a possibility but the horse can be difficult, but that would be ideal, may just take a while to find the right/willing person.
 
Talk!

She may appreciate you more as sharer for your riding/looking after than your money. She won't think bad of you, say you are struggling and have been trying to make adjustments not to give up the share but still can't see a clear way through.
 
I'm quite sure she will think better of you if you are honest and up front about your current situation and I am sure she would be disappointed if you didn't discuss the matter with her. Good sharers are to be cherished!
 
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