Try again for a share pony

[pistolpete]

So I’ve had a go a few times to share and one way and another it’s not worked out. I’m sure I am struggling because I’m so used to having my own and other peoples are their rules of course. Anyway not really looking and I notice this one. Two days is enough for me at the moment she looks sweet. Owner seems sensible wants £15 a day not excessive. Usual mucking out etc on designated days. What could possibly go wrong ?. Thoughts and success stories of shares appreciated.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Good luck!

I do think sharing involves a total mind switch from owning but I think it's worth looking at

 

[ester]

Excellent, I think she looks lovely!

I'm currently sharing one who is definitely not my type (tall, warmbloody) but probably doing me the world of good from a riding perspective and despite mostly only knowing them via fb chat I get on really well with his owner and other sharer (team effort as owner having some sig health issues currently) and the other people on the yard.

His owner messaged me a couple of weeks after I'd done some very local advertising of myself and it did sort of click fairly quickly, then I met the horse and thought no way is he 16.2 he's massive ?, and several months later and here we are and I am much happier for having more horse contact (though I'd forgotten how stinky horsey gloves drying on the radiator could be until yesterday!)

 

[pistolpete]

Yes stinky gloves are grim! Yes the mindset definitely needs to change! If I can click with this owner and pony ?.

 

[[153312]]

She looks gorgeous - hope it works out for the three of you

 

[Trouper]

The advert reads as if the owner is feeling as tentative as you are about sharing. Rather than being a negative for me I think it could be a great positive if you can establish that you share the same values when it comes to horse care and riding.
Definitely worth investigating.

 

[pistolpete]

Thanks Trouper! Yes maybe that’s why it spoke to me.

 

[Cutgrass]

I've had two successful long term shares and both have worked really well. I think you have to see yourself almost as a junior and the owner as a manager and work it that way. Definitely think it works best when you're on the same wavelength as an owner, and that owner sounds level headed and clear on what her horse needs.

 

[pistolpete]

I’ll do my best! If it doesn’t feel right at least I can walk away.

 

[Cob Life]

I’ve had my current share for 3 years!
I think it works really well as both me and his owner are very flexible and they’re happy for me to do whatever as long as it is benefiting him.

 

[pistolpete]

Hope to find a solution to my horseless state!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Sounds perfect. Nice horse and what sounds like a good owner. In your shoes I would definitely try for it.

 

[Annagain]

I've been both a sharer and a sharee (if you get what I mean!) and it can work brilliantly. The basic principles for making it work are:

1. Sit down at the start and work out what works for you both.
2. Be clear about what is whose responsibility
3. Stick to your side of the bargain (with a small element of flexibility because life)
4. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
5. Don't be a control freak - especially as the owner, if you trust someone enough to let them share your horse, let them get on with it. Likewise as a sharer - if the horse is in good enough health and it well trained enough for you to want to share him, don't question his owner's methods.

I find set days work best as everyone knows where they stand but if you / owner works shifts, that might not work for you. That's fine as long as you agree to work out days at the start of each week / month. Having said that, there's always a bit of flexibility to swap now and again if needed - like this Friday I have my work do (if it goes ahead) so swapped with my sharer to do last night instead. I've had to let things I wouldn't do slide on occasion but nothing has ever happened to compromise safety so there's no need to butt in.

I have some very basic rules which every sharer has had to follow (as I did with my share horse) which are:
1. Sharer must have public liability insurance
2. Don't do anything stupid that puts you / horse / anyone else in danger
3. Hi-viz is compulsory for the roads.

Other than that they can do what they want - they can ride through the village in a tutu as long as that tutu is hi-viz!

 

[pistolpete]

I've been both a sharer and a sharee (if you get what I mean!) and it can work brilliantly. The basic principles for making it work are:

1. Sit down at the start and work out what works for you both.
2. Be clear about what is whose responsibility
3. Stick to your side of the bargain (with a small element of flexibility because life)
4. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
5. Don't be a control freak - especially as the owner, if you trust someone enough to let them share your horse, let them get on with it. Likewise as a sharer - if the horse is in good enough health and it well trained enough for you to want to share him, don't question his owner's methods.

I find set days work best as everyone knows where they stand but if you / owner works shifts, that might not work for you. That's fine as long as you agree to work out days at the start of each week / month. Having said that, there's always a bit of flexibility to swap now and again if needed - like this Friday I have my work do (if it goes ahead) so swapped with my sharer to do last night instead. I've had to let things I wouldn't do slide on occasion but nothing has ever happened to compromise safety so there's no need to butt in.

I have some very basic rules which every sharer has had to follow (as I did with my share horse) which are:
1. Sharer must have public liability insurance
2. Don't do anything stupid that puts you / horse / anyone else in danger
3. Hi-viz is compulsory for the roads.

Other than that they can do what they want - they can ride through the village in a tutu as long as that tutu is hi-viz!

Thank you. That’s really helpful. Actually got another one potentially to look at now too. ?