The best way to find a share horse?

Spanny

Spanny

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I'm finally settled in a location and a commute where I can start thinking about riding consistently again. I'd like to start with a share to ease myself back into regular riding and also get to know yards and horsey people in my area. If that all goes ok my long term plan would be to buy my own! What I'm wondering is whether people would be interested in someone like me as a sharer and where are the best places to put up wanted ads.

I have 20+ years experience and have had my own horses and a share previously. Most recently (until about a year ago) I was riding regularly with a dressage trainer, working at medium to elementary levels. I'd like to hack and do some dressage. The opportunity to jump would be great but isn't essential.

The catch is that I work fairly long hours Mon-Fri and I'd struggle to take on chores, although I'd be happy to contribute financially/pay for jobs to be done on my days etc. I'd also need to find somewhere with a school/lights for evening riding and I'd really like one day of riding at the weekend.

Do you think anyone would be interested? Any suggestions as to where I should start looking?

(Coffee and toast with marmite on offer if you made it this far!)
 
I would start with the local Facebook groups. If your not sure which ones, put up a location and I'm sure someone can help.
Sharing is like dating, some thing for everyone the problem is finding the right one
 
I have been looking for a sharer and advertised on Preloved. I struggled to start with but now have a couple of interested people who sound suitable so don't give up if you don't find anything straight away.

What area are you?

I'm sure there are lots of people who would want you by the way. My reason for having a sharer is time but it wouldn't bother me if you did the jobs yourself or paid the YO.
 
Thanks JulesRules, I hope you find someone lovely! I'm in Alveston, South Gloucestershire, so there are plenty of yards around, which is a good start :-) I'll try preloved too.
 
Sharers who have previously had their own horses before are the best in my experience, especially if they can ride to a decent standard. I dont expect any chores beyond grooming and tacking up, and l only ask for a small financial contribution as l just want my horses exercised and someone to ride with! I am flexible on days and times for the right sharer. I am sure a potential owner would snap you up OP! I advertised on Horsemart for a sharer and found a great girl whose circumstances are very similar to yours. I dont tend to advertise on Facebook l get too many timewasters!
 
There are always horses for share on preloved, shame your not near me I am looking for a rider to help hack my two out a few times a week, don't really want an money just the right person as they can be a bit forward out not strong but a bit bouncy, sorry this has turned out to be a bit of an advert but if there is anyone out there that might fit the bill let me know.
 
Thank you both - it's really nice to get a vote of confidence :-) Pinkvboots, that's a real shame we're not in the same area - I hope you find someone great!
 
In my very limited experience, just be open and start talking to people about what you are after, as many as you possibly can. Eventually you will cross paths with the right match, but it will only happen if as many people as possible know your needs.
 
I think you will be able to find something but like buying a horse it may take a long time. Facebook and preloved is how I have found sharers in the past. A couple of wanted ads on local riding club Facebook pages and any pages for your area would be my first port of call and then websites like preloved, I've seen a couple of wanted ads on horsequest but don't personally know how successful they've been.
 
Join thé Bristol and south west horse information group on FB, lots of rubbish to ignore but used a lot to advertise shares, loans, sales etc
Hope you find something to suit soon.
 
I'm sure you would find something, especially as you have a reasonable amount of experience. Also worth posting on local RC pages etc
 
Yes def. The kind of riding you're after would be what a lot of owners on full livery do. Might mean you end up paying a little more as a sharer fee rather than doing chores, although I'd think good riders would be very in demand! Agree posting on local Facebook groups is probably the best bet. There is a regional board on this forum too but not sure you can post ads!
 
Thanks ihatework and Bernster! I don't want to get an infraction :-D Just put an ad up on Horsemart as a starting point - trawling through my riding photos cringing at my position in many of them (in my head I'm sure I should look better than that!).
 
Spanny said:
I'm finally settled in a location and a commute where I can start thinking about riding consistently again. I'd like to start with a share to ease myself back into regular riding and also get to know yards and horsey people in my area. If that all goes ok my long term plan would be to buy my own! What I'm wondering is whether people would be interested in someone like me as a sharer and where are the best places to put up wanted ads.

I have 20+ years experience and have had my own horses and a share previously. Most recently (until about a year ago) I was riding regularly with a dressage trainer, working at medium to elementary levels. I'd like to hack and do some dressage. The opportunity to jump would be great but isn't essential.

The catch is that I work fairly long hours Mon-Fri and I'd struggle to take on chores, although I'd be happy to contribute financially/pay for jobs to be done on my days etc. I'd also need to find somewhere with a school/lights for evening riding and I'd really like one day of riding at the weekend.

Do you think anyone would be interested? Any suggestions as to where I should start looking?

(Coffee and toast with marmite on offer if you made it this far!)
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Think you'll have lots of choice on offer, and can find decent horse with good owners to share.

I'm in Surrey with multiple horses and sharers. I've found good sharers through local horsey FB groups ( you should be able to find lots inc some for sharers / loans in your local area. Through preloved. Through Horsemart.

I'd put your own adverts up in these places (the words of your post are most of what you want to say). And scan the existing adverts at same time.

I'd look out for horses which are not fully sound / have poor tack / poor way of going / poor muscles / feet / are scaring owners. See too many adverts where the owner really wants someone to school a tricky youngster and pay. You should be able to keep looking til you find decent horse to have fun with.
 
You'd have owners fighting over you in my area!

I've just started looking for another sharer as my current one is giving up as she's moving away. Still just in the wrong time of year, am hoping the market starts picking up soon.

Good luck in your search, you sound like an owner's dream!
 
Spanny - move up North please - I've got 3 you could help with and I don't want any money!

Seriously owners will snap you up!

It might be an idea to go and visit your local tack shops and put ads up in there - plus tack shop owners tend to know which are good and bad yards. Good luck, I'm sure you'll be back in the saddle in no time.
 
madlady said:
Spanny - move up North please - I've got 3 you could help with and I don't want any money!

Seriously owners will snap you up!

It might be an idea to go and visit your local tack shops and put ads up in there - plus tack shop owners tend to know which are good and bad yards. Good luck, I'm sure you'll be back in the saddle in no time.
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I don't want money either been looking for someone for ages !
 
Facebook groups, do an ad on preloved for yourself, local tack shops.
I found my part loan (now own him) via preloved. I did myself a 'wanted' advert and I was contacted by lots of people with offers. I got maybe 7 different horses to meet and try, all nearby. All of the owners wanted an adult as opposed to a teenager, which is why I got so many offers. Visited lots of unsuitables, but finally found my match after about 3 months of hunting.
 
Thanks LHIS! My last share came through a friend of a friend - I wasn't even looking for one at the time, so this is all new ground. I need to work on being patient and holding out for the right one!
 
Move to Cardiff and share mine. We're not that far from you! 20 yrs young, the best hack you could ever want - forward but not silly and perfect in all sorts of traffic. He does a decent prelim test and an ok novice one (lengthening is too exciting to be able to go back to a normal trot!) and even at 20 is improving every time out. He can't jump much any more due to foot problems but pops the odd log out hacking and does the smaller fences on fun rides. A helping hand when you could would be great but I wouldn't hold you to a routine.

Am I selling it to you?
 
Aw, thanks annagain. That's really kind of you and your boy sounds really sweet! Cardiff is a fair bit further than I'd planned to travel tho - I've developed a bit of grudge with that bit of the m4! Between work and travel I don't think I'd be able to do either of you justice (and I don't like making promises that I can't keep).
 
Hi - I keep my horse at full livery near Stroud and would be keen to talk to you about excercising him - no chores. But he is not a novice ride 6yr 17:2 KWPN lots of talent but you need to know what you are doing as he can be spooky, nothing nasty just young horse. Anyway PM me if you are interested in hearing more.
 
Spanny said:
Aw, thanks annagain. That's really kind of you and your boy sounds really sweet! Cardiff is a fair bit further than I'd planned to travel tho - I've developed a bit of grudge with that bit of the m4! Between work and travel I don't think I'd be able to do either of you justice (and I don't like making promises that I can't keep).
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It was tongue in cheek but thanks for saying he sounds sweet! He's not, he's a thug but a lovable one! I know what you mean about the M4.
 
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