To Share or Not to Share

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franki_rosewell

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Ok, so i appreciate that it is Winter time and it is hard on all of us Horse owners/loaners. However this year seems to feel far tougher than last year & the year before! So I have decided a Sharer is the way forward.
Some background Info:
I bought a new horse in July and adored the fact she is a can ride 3 times a week horse and stays sane, but now we're coming out of winter and i want to event her this year I'm finding i just don't have the time to ride her more to get her fit.
Not just that - After i bought her from a dealer (as a calm, quiet all rounder) i contacted the old owners who informed me that she was a total nightmare, they both returned her to the Dealer they bought her off for being "dangerous" and Broncing everyone off. Both of them checked all the usual back/saddle/teeth etc to find nothing wrong, and one vet advised she probably had a skrew loose and there was nothing they could do.
So i wanted to return her to the dealer i bought her off but he wasn't having any of it but agreed to sign a 6 month contract whereby if she showed any kind of behavior previously described he'd take her back for a full monetary refund.

Of course she hasn't put a foot wrong - and she has been tested - within 3 months was off to a team chase and then to ODE, clinics, dressage etc. She excelled and tried her hardest at everything.

But now i find myself with less time for her i want a sharer - I'm not asking for any contributions at the moment other than to chip in with shoeing.

If i hadn't contacted the old owners I'd be none the wiser to her past and wouldn't think anything of it, but I do know and i am totally open and honest with any potential sharers, but i am worried - what happens if her "nasty streak" comes out when they're riding and they get hurt - i know horses are there own beings and we cannot predict them, we do it at our own risk etc etc but would they have some kind of legal upper hand if they got hurt - even though I've given them full disclosure and contracts etc.

I just want some advice. I don't want any trouble, you hear a lot of horror stories of sharers gone wrong that I just want to know I'm doing the right thing.
 
I wouldn't personally take any payment towards the keep of the horse, especially knowing of it's previous history, after all, your only wanting help to keep the horse mobile/fit.

I would share/ pre warn anyone that was going to ride, because you have this knowledge to hand, It's only right and fair to inform people.

I would check the capability or any sharer . .you know, it may be safer to pay a professional to school your horse for you.

But if having a sharer, make sure your insured and they are insured . . But def share all information history you have been told.

Sounds dramatic . .but you don't want something happening and being sued, like that poor kid in a National News Paper!
 
franki_rosewell said:
Ok, so i appreciate that it is Winter time and it is hard on all of us Horse owners/loaners. However this year seems to feel far tougher than last year & the year before! So I have decided a Sharer is the way forward.
Some background Info:
I bought a new horse in July and adored the fact she is a can ride 3 times a week horse and stays sane, but now we're coming out of winter and i want to event her this year I'm finding i just don't have the time to ride her more to get her fit.
Not just that - After i bought her from a dealer (as a calm, quiet all rounder) i contacted the old owners who informed me that she was a total nightmare, they both returned her to the Dealer they bought her off for being "dangerous" and Broncing everyone off. Both of them checked all the usual back/saddle/teeth etc to find nothing wrong, and one vet advised she probably had a skrew loose and there was nothing they could do.
So i wanted to return her to the dealer i bought her off but he wasn't having any of it but agreed to sign a 6 month contract whereby if she showed any kind of behavior previously described he'd take her back for a full monetary refund.

Of course she hasn't put a foot wrong - and she has been tested - within 3 months was off to a team chase and then to ODE, clinics, dressage etc. She excelled and tried her hardest at everything.

But now i find myself with less time for her i want a sharer - I'm not asking for any contributions at the moment other than to chip in with shoeing.

If i hadn't contacted the old owners I'd be none the wiser to her past and wouldn't think anything of it, but I do know and i am totally open and honest with any potential sharers, but i am worried - what happens if her "nasty streak" comes out when they're riding and they get hurt - i know horses are there own beings and we cannot predict them, we do it at our own risk etc etc but would they have some kind of legal upper hand if they got hurt - even though I've given them full disclosure and contracts etc.

I just want some advice. I don't want any trouble, you hear a lot of horror stories of sharers gone wrong that I just want to know I'm doing the right thing.
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I think you need to give any potential sharer the above details in writing, and get them to sign they’ve read it to cover yourself then should be fine.

It is tricky, one of my horses spooked in home school (in trot) and my sharer fell off and broke her elbow.
It was an unlucky accident, and she’d been sharing him 18 months without incident. But I would disclose it to any future sharer.

I have sharers, and two horses. If you find the right people are a huge asset. I have three sharers across two horses. The first pair hack both horses Mondays and Friday, which is great for fattening!
The third sharer floats – schooling / lessons / hacking with me or others.

I put experienced riders and handlers only, no under 18s, must have own transport, and have mid week day time availability, not looking to compete and either be happy to do chores or contribute financially.

I put all the plus points – large lit school, quiet scenic yard, hacking, lessons, transport, quality horses working at medium level etc. And good photos of horses.

And let the adverts run. I’ve found some great people over years. Facebook groups / Horsemart / Preloved.

I know pretty soon if someone's going to be a good sharer or not. They don't all replicate what I would do all the time, but they are all lovely, and put the horses first, and nice people.
 
Absolutely - I've been very honest and would never hold back anything I know. God I totally forgot about rider insurance - I'll make sure i check that if i ever find someone suitable.
In my advert (on a local horsey FB page) I have clearly stated the importance of a confident adult rider to to her age (6) and history. Absolutely no Novices and with experience with young/challenging horses (even though she has never been challenging - but because of her history) etc and of course they'd have a trial session followed by a trial week or two.

I have considered having a professional school - our yard manager does this - she charges £30 for an hour but she is VERY flakey - for example last week she was supposed to ride but didn't tell me she didn't until i asked her if Darcy behaved a couple of days later!! And she is supposed to do 2 sessions this week but has already bailed on today's session - which i only know because i remarked yesterday on how nice the weather was and that our arena will be nice for her ride today.

Flakey-ness aside realistically i cant afford another £60 a week on top of my livery. So other than the one off's (which have become more and more often hence the need for a sharer) I've been trying to avoid her schooling.
 
Whatever her history it seems that you have gelled with her and brought out the best, my first thought would be you could risk her reverting if the sharer is not as competent or experienced as you, most sharers will want to school, possibly jump as well as hack and with the aim of eventing is this something you really want another rider doing without supervision, you could get lucky and find the right person but I think I would rather invest some money and pay a pro to hack out once or twice a week to get the time consuming fitness work in leaving you to school and jump, far less risk and you should get the job done properly.
 
wingedhorse said:
I think you need to give any potential sharer the above details in writing, and get them to sign they’ve read it to cover yourself then should be fine.

It is tricky, one of my horses spooked in home school (in trot) and my sharer fell off and broke her elbow.
It was an unlucky accident, and she’d been sharing him 18 months without incident. But I would disclose it to any future sharer.

I have sharers, and two horses. If you find the right people are a huge asset. I have three sharers across two horses. The first pair hack both horses Mondays and Friday, which is great for fattening!
The third sharer floats – schooling / lessons / hacking with me or others.

I put experienced riders and handlers only, no under 18s, must have own transport, and have mid week day time availability, not looking to compete and either be happy to do chores or contribute financially.

I put all the plus points – large lit school, quiet scenic yard, hacking, lessons, transport, quality horses working at medium level etc. And good photos of horses.

And let the adverts run. I’ve found some great people over years. Facebook groups / Horsemart / Preloved.

I know pretty soon if someone's going to be a good sharer or not. They don't all replicate what I would do all the time, but they are all lovely, and put the horses first, and nice people.
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That sounds ideal! I am so flexible and don't mind if the sharer just wants to hack or school or compete - just as long as Darcy is happy and looked after and everyone is as safe as can be when horses are involved.
 
My only concern would be your horse reverting back to less desirable ways with a new person. My hooligan, who a well known professional said should be destroyed for everyone's safety but had always been a star for me, had a major setback when a friends daughter started riding him. He is very sharp and she came off him a few times and it massively affected his confidence. He now won't let anyone else on him who isn't me.

You definitely need to tell them, but equally sometimes this sets the seed in people's minds and they ride differently and this affects the horse, so could cause other issues. Just make sure this is a good, competent rider and someone that you and your horse both trust.
 
As a college student, 16 going on 17, this would be ideal as most people that are my age work weekends. But also, MOST have a lot of experience! So you may find someone good who is under 18 and can tick all the boxes.
 
Your biggest problem is going to be finding the right sharer as you need someone experienced who you and your horse can trust. They then need to be able to ride in a similar manner to you. There are some very experienced sharers around but they can be hard to fine.
If you happen to be based in Northampton then I could help you out but I'm guessing not.
 
merlo89 said:
As a college student, 16 going on 17, this would be ideal as most people that are my age work weekends. But also, MOST have a lot of experience! So you may find someone good who is under 18 and can tick all the boxes.
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Fair point, I’m old and grumpy! I’ve found sharers in their 40’s and 50’s work much better for me. Teenagers, and of course there are great ones, tend to be a lot more emotionally volatile, and often going through times of life change or location change. And more likely to form a very dramatic social media fuelled emotional attachment to my horses, but less likely to be reliable and committed. I’ve also found myself in loco parentis for teenagers sharing my horse, and that’s not really my thing. I’m aiming for maturity, reliability, low emotional drama and longevity in my share arrangements.
 
Most people I go to equine college with drive and support ourselves! You seem to be thinking of 13/14 year olds and those who have ridden at a riding school for a year and are a "pro rider" ...

Don't Stereotype people either :(
 
merlo89 said:
Most people I go to equine college with drive and support ourselves! You seem to be thinking of 13/14 year olds and those who have ridden at a riding school for a year and are a "pro rider" ...

Don't Stereotype people either :(
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I said teenage which runs from 13 to 19. I have met few teenagers with independent transport and who are consistently reliable.
Many have good intentions but study / not having full access to a car / relationships / emotional issues etc. do get in the way.

It is the nature of being teenage, being up and down, and experimenting, trying things out, pushing boundaries etc.

If I was looking for a riding only paying sharer, then a teenager be okay. But looking for regular consistent sharer that does one end of set days, each week every week, with few cancellations, I have not found teenagers have worked.

Most but not all 16-17 year olds at college are still in their formulative years, and are still finding and setting boundaries. Hell I was still experimenting at 20 at university, and learning the meaning of reliability!

And yes I am generalising, there are brilliant sharers of all ages. I am just stating my best sharers have been older and my most hassle causing sharers have been teenagers. And I now actively avoid teenagers, though might make an exception for one that I was directly recommended. I did start off open minded regarding age.
 
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