Trying to find someone to ride my horse is impossible.

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dozzie

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I am looking for someone to ride my horse out with me on my youngster. No money required, only weekends. Horse is safe to ride and bombroof in traffic so would be a great nanny, but not suitable for a novice as she is 16.2hh and whilst usually laid back has her moments of silliness especially when on the way home. I have had people offering to ride and school for payment but honestly, it will just be a short walk/trot out to traffic proof the youngster. Just getting nowhere. Maybe I live in too affluent an area. I don't know.
 
Can you add anything else to make it more attractive? For the sort of rider good enough to be able to get rides for free, walk and trot hacks babysitting a youngster wouldn't in all honesty be very satisfying. Could you offer schooling time, opportunities to compete, maybe more of a share arrangement? You could certainly specify accompanying you as part of the agreement.
 
Agree with Theocat, it doesn't sound a very interesting or exciting proposition. I'd be interested if I could have the opportunity to school/have lessons/compete as well as nannying you out on your youngster but if you're looking for someone to only ride on your terms, you'd probably need to pay someone for it.
 
I am going to disagree with above slightly as before I got my horse any riding not requiring me to pay would have been great. I am not a novice rider but this would still sound good to me.
 
Agree with everybody else. You probably need to pay somebody. If you don't want a novice, you are looking for somebody with skill even if it is only to walk/trot. I don't think many people, affluent area or not want to have fuel costs to come out for little/ no benefit for themselves.
 
I was hoping to get someone who just wanted the fun of riding a horse for free! No poo picking or anything! Maybe someone who couldn't afford their own at the moment or didn't want the responsibility of 24/7 horse care. She can't be schooled or competed. It doesn't have to be someone with major skills just someone who is happy on a big horse who can sometimes be a bit jiggy. Maybe I should go for a novice and teach them! :)
 
Do you have a local university who has a riding society like Wolverhampton? Or a local agricultural collage? You might find a willing body there. Not a real body you understand.
 
Goldenstar said:
Of course they ride a horse for free why else would they go for a road hack with a youngster that's not exactly fun .
I pay people to do boring stuff like that .
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Ahh! ok times have changed! I would have bitten someone's hand off to ride a horse for free. Even riding on a boring road hack. I guess I need to ride and lead. I would still like someone to come and enjoy riding my mare for free though! She is a babe!
 
rascal said:
Do you have a local university who has a riding society like Wolverhampton? Or a local agricultural collage? You might find a willing body there. Not a real body you understand.
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Not really local enough unfortunately. Winchester is closest but still 30 mins drive.
 
I'd say keep looking, there must be plenty of older people looking for exactly this. Have you tried mumsnet or similar? When I was first getting back into riding I would have loved this but may have been looking to progress. Could there be an opportunity to help you with your youngster if you were happy with them? Nothing serious, just supervised pootling on the school maybe?
 
What would put me off is that you are tied to a time and day that suits the owner, and you have to accompany the owner, so no private hacking relaxation. I'd have visions of me not clicking with owner, or having to make small talk constantly. And constantly having to ride under the owners eye.
 
The youngster is only 15.hh, so small but much sharper than the 16.2HH who is laid back lil most of the time. I haven't tried mumsnet. I think an older person who just wants to enjoy riding with no pressure is what I need.
 
I would have taken you up on the offer if you were closer. I'm bored stupid of doing 20 minutes mostly in walk on my horse who has an undiagnosable case of the go-slows. I am half way through a professional doctorate and don't have the time or money for a third horse til I've finished, so no strings hacking would be blissful. I used to compete BS or BD most weekends, so I'm not completely incompetent!

Hope you find someone!

T x
 
I don't think it's a bad offer at all. If you were in Cheshire, I could suggest three or four people who'd be delighted to do this. Where have you advertised, we have a local horse forum which is pretty good for that sort of thing. I've also had success with finding sharers on preloved. Local Facebook groups would be another option, although i do think you run more risk of finding numpties.
I've also found, even if you don't particularly want money, you sometimes get more interest (and commitment) by asking for a small amount.
 
How do you deal with the insurance issue is someone is giving you money for riding your horse .
Your normal third party won't cover it .
 
paddi22 said:
What would put me off is that you are tied to a time and day that suits the owner, and you have to accompany the owner, so no private hacking relaxation. I'd have visions of me not clicking with owner, or having to make small talk constantly. And constantly having to ride under the owners eye.
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My concern is that my mare has back problems and cannot do fast/hill work. She can do plod and have a nice bit of chilling time. I can't risk her being blasted up a hill for example as she will be in pain and lame. Most of the time she is really chilled but she has her moments. It is really tricky as I don't want to say she is absolutely ok for anyone to ride as she has her moments but on the whole she is a really lovely horse to ride. She would really suit someone who just wants to chill and enjoy. And escort a baby! And no! :)
I don't talk forever on a hack. It is my chill time too!
 
catembi said:
I would have taken you up on the offer if you were closer. I'm bored stupid of doing 20 minutes mostly in walk on my horse who has an undiagnosable case of the go-slows. I am half way through a professional doctorate and don't have the time or money for a third horse til I've finished, so no strings hacking would be blissful. I used to compete BS or BD most weekends, so I'm not completely incompetent!

Hope you find someone!

T x
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Yeah that is what I need. I don't need a pro. I could move to Cambridge but it would be a bit of commute for work! LOL!
 
When I got my new horse he had a lack of confidence and would nap alone and i have 2 horses but keep them at home so don't have many people to ride with, so I advertised on pre loved and my local saddlery I also put a post on here basically asking for someone to hack with so I could get them out together, I now have 2 people that ride at least 1 day a week one has only ridden at a riding school so she rides the easier one that hacks well, the other girl has competed up to elementary and got on with the more challenging horse and this works, we mainly hack but I am happy for them both to do schooling as well and I charge no money I look at it as they are helping me out and they are grateful they get to ride for free on a nice horse. I get on well with both of them and we have quite a laugh and it's really worked out really well, so I would say it is possible to find someone just put a few adverts out there.
 
Pinkvboots said:
When I got my new horse he had a lack of confidence and would nap alone and i have 2 horses but keep them at home so don't have many people to ride with, so I advertised on pre loved and my local saddlery I also put a post on here basically asking for someone to hack with so I could get them out together, I now have 2 people that ride at least 1 day a week one has only ridden at a riding school so she rides the easier one that hacks well, the other girl has competed up to elementary and got on with the more challenging horse and this works, we mainly hack but I am happy for them both to do schooling as well and I charge no money I look at it as they are helping me out and they are grateful they get to ride for free on a nice horse. I get on well with both of them and we have quite a laugh and it's really worked out really well, so I would say it is possible to find someone just put a few adverts out there.
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Thanks. I will put some ads in the local tack shops.
 
dozzie said:
Not yet but maybe in time!
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I think i would rather stay in Hampshire, what bit i have seen was lovely!
Mind you, either of my daughters (early 20s) would love to ride your horse.
When i was looking for someone to ride one of our ponies i put an add in the tack,feed shops.
 
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Only walk/trot and only road hacking and only with owner would suit (only) a nervous novice. But horse can't be trusted with nervous novice.

Can you ask a horsey friend who will enjoy your company? Insurance wise you can ask them to get rider insurance.
 
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