What to do!?! Share or not share? Advice and experiences needed!!

[BorgRae]

Hi everyone!!

Ok, so I’ve just bought my first house and everything financially was fine, until the house started falling down around me

I work full time during the day at the mo, but have just had to get another part time job to help pay for the home improvements

Now then, the house will be sorted in about 3-4 months and financially I have no problems affording my boy, so under no circumstances am I going to sell him, however, what would you do…

I will most likely be working a couple of evenings during the week and one weekend evening or day. On the weekend day, I can go and see Malakai before or after work, and the rest of the week go as normal. (He is on Part Livery at the moment, so I only go once a day anyway) but…

Would you consider a sharer for the couple of days I will be working, or would you just leave him and let him have those days off?

He loves to be worked, and more importantly loves jumping (which I hate, so jump very rarely!). So on the up side if I got a sharer they could do the things he loves that I'm rubbish at!

However, I’m really precious of my boy and just want to do what will be best for him. I couldn't bare to see him treated badly (or ridden badly for that matter )

So basically, what would you do? Share, not share? Any experiences or advice is very welcome!!!

Thanks very much for getting this far! Cheese and onion crisps for all (sorry, that's all I have!! )

 

[PaddyMonty]

You are in a good position in that you do not need a financial contribution to keep your horse as many who share do. This allows you to be much more fussy about who shares your horse.
If you want someone to do the things (jumping) with him that you dont want to then no harm in looking.
Dont assume people who are looking to share a horse are all inexperienced. Some of us can be far more experienced than the owners and will often bring far more to the party than just keeping the horse exercised.

I've shared 4 horses now, none of which I have paid anything towards. In all cases I have ended up teaching the owners. One I advised to sell her horse as although it was great for me just wasn't what she needed at the time. OH and I then spent many weekends veiwing horses with her until she found the right horse (which was no good for me).
In every case the share brought benefits to both parties so dont rule it out.
You just need to find the right person which may be the tricky bit.

If you'd been in northampton I could have solved the problem for you

 

[BorgRae]

You are in a good position in that you do not need a financial contribution to keep your horse as many who share do. This allows you to be much more fussy about who shares your horse.
If you want someone to do the things (jumping) with him that you dont want to then no harm in looking.
Dont assume people who are looking to share a horse are all inexperienced. Some of us can be far more experienced than the owners and will often bring far more to the party than just keeping the horse exercised.

I've shared 4 horses now, none of which I have paid anything towards. In all cases I have ended up teaching the owners. One I advised to sell her horse as although it was great for me just wasn't what she needed at the time. OH and I then spent many weekends veiwing horses with her until she found the right horse (which was no good for me).
In every case the share brought benefits to both parties so dont rule it out.
You just need to find the right person which may be the tricky bit.

If you'd been in northampton I could have solved the problem for you

Fancy moving to Blackpool? You sound exactly what we need!!

Thank you for the reply, I truely think it will do him the world of good being jumped more often (and over somthing larger than 40cm! lol!), and like you said, providing I find the right person, it could be beneficial on both parts.

Can I just ask, as a sharer, is it normal to have a trial period with the horse? Say a couple of weeks, for both parties really, just to make sure the everyone is happy with the situation?

Thanks again!

 

[PaddyMonty]

It certainly was with the horses I've shared. I suggested it in all cases as it gave both parties an opportunity to back out gracefully if needed. I think 4 weeks is a better period with either party able to just walk away at anytime during the first month.

 

[BorgRae]

It certainly was with the horses I've shared. I suggested it in all cases as it gave both parties an opportunity to back out gracefully if needed. I think 4 weeks is a better period with either party able to just walk away at anytime during the first month.

That's great. Thank you very much for your advice! It's much appreciated

 

[Cobiau Cymreig Wyllt]

Can I just ask, as a sharer, is it normal to have a trial period with the horse? Say a couple of weeks, for both parties really, just to make sure the everyone is happy with the situation?

Thanks again!

Yes - a trial period is a good idea and also commonly suggested - I was recently offered two ride-shares (one involving money, one not) whilst I'm bringing my youngster on. Both owners were keen for me to ride several times to see if it would suit us all. The non-money share is with a problem horse and the owner has been absolutely fantastic in making sure that we are all happy with things - like any owner she wants the best for her horse and in her case, knows he is not the easiest of rides.
Having ridden for many people over the years, including with valuable horses, I would say that if you set out your stall with common sense prevailing you will generally find that sharers are usually very aware of the need to be respectful of the owner's wishes.
Remember the situation has to be of mutual benefit to get the best out of it ie yes the sharer gets a horse to ride...but you also get your horse ridden...also with sharing, in my experience it tends to work out much better than loaning because you are taking joint responsibility and co-operating/communicating as an ongoing thing so can iron out any issues before they get major.
I've only had one instance where I decided to stop sharing someone's horse and that was because I felt she wasn't prepared to put any work in (or let me do so) to stop her horse's potentially dangerous behaviour (sticking it's tongue over the bit and tanking off uncontrollably - I managed to hang on by the skin of my teeth but felt that a simple bit change and some schooling might have made a difference but co-operation wasn't really forthcoming, in fact despite saying 'no, she wasn't a novice ride and she had done that with her' which is why she stopped riding her, she decided that on the whole she 'wasn't that bad really'!!!) so I stopped riding her. But that's been the only one over the years. Usually arrangements come to an end because the owner stops needing an extra rider or whatever..
Good luck with whatever you decide

 

[rossiroo]

I agree with juno, it can be so benifishal to both parties, but do remember to be firm in what you expect the other person to do. I have ridden other peoples horses alongside my own and have had good realationships with the owners because we have been clear in what we expect from each other. It sounds like a great oppotunity for someone and for your horse to enjoy jumping, but please be fussy as to who you have.