What to do when seeing a share horse for first time?

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Dream2own

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I'm going to see a potential share horse this weekend. The horse sounds perfect for me! I'm a novice and he is a laid back horse who rarely spooks and never badly. Problem is, I have only ever had riding instruction so have no idea what to do when getting on to try him out! I get nervous easily and get brain block so worried I'll get on, get nervous and make lots of mistakes and look rubbish. Any tips?
 
Make sure the owner knows beforehand so that there are no surprises! Ask the owner to talk you through how they do things.
 
1. Take experienced person with you....

2. If no experienced person to hand..... Plan a 'routine' of what you will try... E.g. Walk horse round, get use to feeling, then do some Walk, halt transitions, do some school movement I.e circles, serpentine, changes of rein.
I'd repeat this in trot, transitions and school movements and in canter....you may also get the chance to jump....just do what you feel happy with

If possible I'd take the horse out hacking to see what it will be like

Good luck and have fun!
 
Awwwww dream2own i feel for you re nerves as im same. My head just freezes. Talk with owner. Dont be afraid to ask good valid questions.Whilst hard but try not to see it as a "test" .You obviously love horses to be looking at sharing so focus on the fun you hopefully will have. But most of all take big deep breaths and be you. Good luck. I hope it goes well and you join the crazy world of horse owning by sharing :) x
 
Be honest with the owner about your abilities. Ask if they will be willing to help you to learn how to care for the horse.

They should ride first so take your lead from them. What would you like to do with the horse? I think that will have a bearing on what you do. Make sure you are comfortable doing anything the owner suggests and if you are not happy politely decline.

With a new sharer I usually have a good chat first to explain Smudges capabilities and suitability and to gauge the experience of the potential sharer. Then I hop on in the school, warm her up and see what mood she is in! I would probably walk trot canter on each rein.

I would then ask sharer if they feel comfortable getting on. I would help them on and get them happy in walk. If they are comfortable I would suggest they try trot and if still comfortable canter. If they want to hack I would walk them over fields and if they want to jump and we are all still happy I would get back on and pop a few cross poles and if they want to and I'm happy with their ability I would let them do a few small jumps.

I would always make sure a potential sharer was happy and comfortable before doing any of the above and if I had doubts about their ability to do any of it I would suggest they would need need lessons with my instructor.

Hope this helps.
 
Be honest with the owner about your abilities. If you don't know something, don't try to blag it just say "I don't know". This horse may not be perfect for you, it may be perfect - or it may be something in-between. The difference between buying and sharing is that not only do you need a connection with the horse, but you are also going to have to get on with the owner - and blagging will not help with that.

Good luck for tomorrow
 
Hi on the first meeting with my share I simply walked and trotted her round the school on both reins and then spent lots of time talking to the owner about the pony. I then arranged to go out for a hack with another sharer the following weekend as that's the main thing I wanted to do. Even though I fell in love with the pony immediately I then agreed a six week trial over the summer and as they say the rest is history. Don't worry the owner probably suspects you're a novice and in many ways that means you'll be eager to learn and keen to get everything right, which is a bonus. Being reliable and trustworthy is also very important to any owner. I'm sure it'll all go much better than you're expecting but the very best of luck :)
 
I have been 100 percent honest with the owner. We've had a phone call which lasted over an hour already. The horse is on full livery so no pressure to know everything about horse care straight away although I certainly want to learn it all.

I'm very much a worrier and stupidly care too much what other people think therefore will get on board and be very conscious of someone watching!
 
Dream2own said:
I have been 100 percent honest with the owner. We've had a phone call which lasted over an hour already. The horse is on full livery so no pressure to know everything about horse care straight away although I certainly want to learn it all.

I'm very much a worrier and stupidly care too much what other people think therefore will get on board and be very conscious of someone watching!
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Well that's a good start. Don't worry about people watching you - there will always be a better rider than you are, and you will always be better than someone else. If when you get to the yard and there are lots of people around ask the owner if you will be able to ride with just them rather than the whole yard watching. You will be fine - have fun
 
I know exactly what you mean about worrying when someone is watching you, see if it's possible if the only the owner can watch you, or ask if they can ride the horse first so you know what to expect. It's also important to get along with the owner, but seeing as you've already had such a long conversation with her it shouldn't be a problem! Ask if you can tack up yourself, give the horse a brush beforehand, etc, to get to know them before you ride.
I got a horse on loan last year, I only viewed two. The first I brought him in from the field, groomed him, tacked him up, watched the owner ride, rode myself, then untacked, etc and we ended up cantering around fields. The second the horse was waiting for me and I watched the owner ride her in the school and rode her myself, just doing what I wanted.
Have fun, hope it goes well!
 
Thanks for all the comments! I wish I had horsey friends I could ask to come with me. I don't feel comfortable enough to ask my instructor to come. Still, I need to get out of my comfort zone. I am notorious for worrying and then once its over thinking 'is that it?'
 
Lol stop worrying. easy said hard to do. this maybe the next chapter in your horsey journey. you sound level headed with understanding of your knowledge and a want to learn. You have chatted with owner honestly so go and just enjoy doing horsey things and fingers crossed you and horse/owner click. let us know how it goes. my fingers and toes are crossed it works out well for you. Btw if it does we demand photos i hope you know :)
 
It'll be grand! The horse, owner and yard all sound perfect for what you want so just go along, say hello and have a little ride :)

When I went to try Monty I rode him for about 20 mins, just in walk and trot as I was feeling bashful about people watching and didn't want to canter :o His owner didn't ride him first but that's only cos her back is knackered at the moment and she's not allowed. We had a good chat about what he'd done (he's 6 too) so I felt confident that he was a sensible type and didn't mind hopping on him without him being ridden first.

If you've already spoken for an hour then I'm assuming the owner is a nice, chatty type, so have fun and enjoy yourself there :D
 
Very chatty! :) I think I'd only do walk and trot unless I felt comfortable enough to have a go at canter. Its just all very new and unknown. I keep thinking about if it all goes well and all the possibilities! Exciting times
 
Exactly exciting times ahead.you stay at what ever you are comfy with. But get a cheshire cat smile on your face. breath and ENJOY.i do understand though hun. i have the t shirt for nerves esp riding in front of people and thats after 44 years of horses and riding but a smile gets you through :) x
 
I'm in the same boat! Going to see a horse today, although years of experience and spent the last few years riding for others I'm still nervous!

You'll be fine :) just remember to breathe!
 
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