what weight limit should i put in my sharer ad?

Bowen4Horses

Bowen4Horses

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hi all

i'm admitting defeat again, and advertising for a sharer for Raff. he's just not getting the work he needs from me. after his broken leg (all fixed!) he needs regular work to keep him fit (i've been paying someone to ride him but it's costing too much, and i'm just too useless to do it...). So i thought i'd advertise for a sharer...

now... what weight limit should i put on his ad? he's 15.1hh hanoverian x polish WB - he has a bit thick neck which makes m=him look probably more cobby than he actually is. but, not very fit (although much fitter than i thought he would be). he's up to an hour's hacking with some trotting in it, and not even getting warm.

I initially thought i'd set the weight limit at 10stone... but then a friend of mine, who i would have thought weighed less than that and would be more than okay to ride him told me she was 11 stone... so i think perhaps i don't know very much about people's weight...

i want to put a weight limit on there, because a friend of mine put an ad out for loaners and not a single person that came to try the horse weighed less than 15stone... and i don't want the embarrassment of having to turn someone down because of their weight...

this isn't meant in anyway as a dig at people's weights - i just want to make sure raff's back etc aren't overburdened before he's fit and capable.

here's the advert so far.... thoughts?

Raff is a 15.1hh Hanoverian X Polish Warmblood and he's looking for someone to come and ride him 2 or 3 times a week (or more!).

He is 8 years old, and is safe, sane and 100% in all respects. He hacks alone and in company. Perfect to handle, both on and off the ground. He has been well schooled (although a bit rusty at the moment!), and is a school master to jump (could affiliate with ease).

Bred to showjump, but equally happy just hacking around.

I'm looking for someone with experience, (although he is suitable for a novice) as I want him to stay safe and sane (if that makes sense?).

Ideally a calm, confident, lightweight rider (10 stone, maybe 11 stone maximum) who wants to ride at least 2 times a week initially. There will also be the opportunity to compete for the right rider. And I am happy to be flexible about the times he's ridden (once established, you'll be able to have a fairly free rein).

We live within very easy hacking distance of 2 amazing instructors with lovely schools, who would happily let you use their school/give lessons etc.

No costs involved - we just want to find the perfect person - i don't mind if that's a happy hacker, or someone looking to compete as long as he's not stood in the field looking longingly at his tack anymore!

If you think that's you, please send me a message/give me a ring and we can have a chat.

Fantastic opportunity for the right person. I just don't have the time, as babies/family/work/business are taking up so much time at the moment.
 
13 stone. And can you move him down to Surrey please? Ta.

(the ad sounds great, I'd leave it as exactly that. And it's not admitting defeat, it's delegating)

xx
 
I think it's fine to leave in. It's better to have a specific guideline - as you mentioned, different people have different ideas of definitions!
 
I would put a weight limit but bear in mind that some heavier people can ride 'lighter' if they have a better seat. I've seen skinny people bounce around and normal people ride with a very quiet seat.

My Connie is up for loan at the moment and I've set a weight limit of 12 stone. He has had back and hock problems before so just don't want to risk it.
 
As you said, weight can be deceptive! It is quite difficult to actually judge what someone truly weighs (muscle weighing more than fat etc) so unless you are going to physically put them on a set of scales, it might be better to judge each one separately. Whatever happens (again, unless they come through the gate via scales!) you would have to trust them to tell the truth. If someone turns up and they are obviously way over what is comfortable for Raff/acceptable for you, just say "No", or you could perhaps weed some out on the phone? I must admit, I've never thought of setting a weight limit before - I still think I'd judge each on it's own merits, and be prepared to say "I think you're a bit too big/heavy" Just try and avoid the "F" word!!
 
I'd prob say 12 stone max but I'd prob be looking for a rider of about 10 stone if they are going to ride him regularly.
 
I think 10 stone is quite low to have as a max weight, I would probably just judge by eye when people come to see him.

I am heavier than I would like to be at the moment and exercising a variety of horses is part of my job, I just use common sense and if I feel I am too heavy for some of them then they will be lunged rather than ridden. Its just a shame that all larger riders do not accept that their weight will limit them, telling them they are too big for your horse would probably give them a kick up the backside!

A friend recently advertised for someone to hack out her very old pony twice a week because he was miserable stood in the field. The pony is about 30 and 14.2hh, she had 5 people come to see him, four of them were far too heavy (16 stone ish) and one couldnt actually tack up! We just ride and lead him now.
 
I'd say 12 1/2 to 13 stone weight limit. (maybe put 12 1/2 so as to allow for a person putting on a bit ;) )I think putting one in the ad is a good idea because its embarrassing to be asked your weight, and this is a much nicer way of still getting your point across.
 
I think 12 - 12 1/5 stone sounds reasonable.

However it might be an idea to put a (low) price per day on your advert. Even if it is only £10 a week or something. Otherwise enterprising people will ring you and try get you to pay them to exercise the horse. Or those notorious "lazy" people who come and ride for a few weeks, then get bored/busy or decide they can't possibly ride during winter, "but hey, it was good whilst it lasted and free".

If you really don't want any money from the sharers, once you have found someone perfect, just tell them you didn't want money, you were just trying to weed out layabouts and people wanting paying!

Also might it be an idea to say that the sharer would need their own rider insurance? Even if just with the BHS.

Apart from that the advert sounds great. I wish I was closer cause he would be ideal for me ;)
 
Why not put in a weight say 12stone and say approx so you don't make anyone worried they'll be weighed in! You could say due to old injury too to explain why you are imposing a weight limit. I wouldn't put lightweight, as I think that suggests teeny little folk who could ride a pony.

Think the ad reads really nicely and sounds fab, shame you aren't closer to me!
 
I'd probably put 12 or 13 stone in the add.
I put a weight limit of 12 stone on my horse to share add in the end for my 14.3hh appaloosa. I wasn't going to but I got several people who were 16 - 14 stone ringing up who said they were very interested and sounded fine until they mentioned their weight. Saves embarrasment al round.
 
Hmm a difficult one - as someone else said before - you get some 'lightweight' riders that ride a horse like a sack of **** and then some slightly heavier riders who are more in tune with the horse and probably cause less 'damage'! Also, are you going to have the perfect person put off because they weight 2 pounds over the limit?!

On the other hand I think it is a good idea to have a weight limit or some sort of weight mention in the advert - when i was consering putting my WB on loan i had an extremely overweight woman turn up, I was too embarrassed to say anything (hindsight i should have done) and my poor horse proceeded to practically bow in the middle and my WOW saddle was literally deflated !!! All i'd say is - don;t be like me - make sure you say (tactfully) if you dont want them to get on!! Horse had no lasting effects but i did feel very mean!
 
JoG said:
I like this idea :)

FWIW I currently weigh 11.5stone :( and you know what sort of size i am....I am very realistic about my weight, be prepared that some people maybe in denial!!
Click to expand...

sheesh, in that case, i really am ****. i would have said you were about the same as me... :o

you'd easily be okay riding him.

i'm going to put 'not a weight carrier'. that's the best idea... :D
 
Am a right hefferlump, always have been, even if i get down to a size 10 i still weight about 10.5 - god knows how :( This is why i work on size and not weight :)
 
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