mainpower
Well-Known Member
I'll try to keep this brief, apologies if it turns into an essay....
I have a 19yo horse and a 4yo. Due to my own health problems plus starting a new job next month (which involves a time consuming commute) I reached the decision that I do not have the physical capabilities or time to do my youngster justice... I got as far as backing and walk/trot round the school. So I advertised him as a free loan on my yard.
The deal was no money exchanged, I wanted someone who would commit to riding a minimum of three days a week with me helping from the ground, teaching them at the weekends, progressing to clinics and competing. I would provide free transport to events, iniitialy paying entry fees until he was more established. Also, if they wanted, they could compete my older horse, I would again provide transport, but not entry fees as he's been there, done it, got a few t-shirts and doesn't need the experience!
I only got three replies, two of which wanted to tell me how high they could jump and how fast they'd galloped, and although I'd stipulated I wanted an adult they were teenagers.The third seemed perfect, in her 30s, taught locally (as well as a "day" job) and rode a few horses for owners, but wanting something on a more regular basis. She came to try him out, they hit it off, and I was really happy to let her go up on her own and get on with it.
However, after about 4/5 rides she started dropping into the conversation about horses she was being paid to ride, then didn't come when arranged, made a few more vague plans about when she was coming, didn't show, and now won't answer her phone (calls and texts).
So who thinks I'm offering a good deal or is it ridiculous to think that someone would like to free loan a youngster, have the pick of two horses to ride and compete, transport thrown in, with lessons from me if they want (I do hold my BHSAI)?
I have a 19yo horse and a 4yo. Due to my own health problems plus starting a new job next month (which involves a time consuming commute) I reached the decision that I do not have the physical capabilities or time to do my youngster justice... I got as far as backing and walk/trot round the school. So I advertised him as a free loan on my yard.
The deal was no money exchanged, I wanted someone who would commit to riding a minimum of three days a week with me helping from the ground, teaching them at the weekends, progressing to clinics and competing. I would provide free transport to events, iniitialy paying entry fees until he was more established. Also, if they wanted, they could compete my older horse, I would again provide transport, but not entry fees as he's been there, done it, got a few t-shirts and doesn't need the experience!
I only got three replies, two of which wanted to tell me how high they could jump and how fast they'd galloped, and although I'd stipulated I wanted an adult they were teenagers.The third seemed perfect, in her 30s, taught locally (as well as a "day" job) and rode a few horses for owners, but wanting something on a more regular basis. She came to try him out, they hit it off, and I was really happy to let her go up on her own and get on with it.
However, after about 4/5 rides she started dropping into the conversation about horses she was being paid to ride, then didn't come when arranged, made a few more vague plans about when she was coming, didn't show, and now won't answer her phone (calls and texts).
So who thinks I'm offering a good deal or is it ridiculous to think that someone would like to free loan a youngster, have the pick of two horses to ride and compete, transport thrown in, with lessons from me if they want (I do hold my BHSAI)?