Whats important for a sharer?

[RollOnSpring]

I've got a full loaner for my gelding who is kept at the same yard as me. Shes great and such a good rider, they both get on fab and shes been good for him. Shes not the best though when it comes to stable management I sometimes find his bed a lot messier than Id leave it and it looks rushed. She usually rides him covered in mud and I feel like she sometimes doesn't always give him the love and attention I did when I cared for him. I always make sure I go up when she's not there and give him cuddles!

I am looking for a sharer for my mare due to a a change in my shifts as now I'm going to be working nights and not days. I've had a it 5 people come and no one has been suitable. The first few were very loud, know it alls and telling me what I'd done wrong with her. She's had a bad past and has come a long way in the 6 years I've had her. She's now very quiet and lives being fussed and loved. One girl came last week who just wants a happy hacker which my mare is fab to hack. She doesnt seem very experienced. She brought her in, groomed her and tacked her up fine though. Her riding is ok, nothing amazing but nothing horrible - she had very soft hands and was kind which are important. She didn't want to jump which is fine. She seemed to know the basics and was very affectionate towards her. She asked a lot of questions and seemed very loving. She is quiet and the other liveries liked her. She has riding lessons to get her confidence up but she still has a way to go.

I feel I am looking for the impossible: a good rider who is also kind and nice to my mare as I'm scared someone loud will frighten her. Am I asking too much? Should I give this girl a go or tell her no and kep looking?

 

[burtie]

I've recently found an amazing sharer, perfect for me and my horse, but it's taken years and in the end was almost by accident we found each other. Getting the right person is hard but they are out there!

 

[Polar Bear9]

I have a sharer very like the girl you mention who came last week. Sweet girl, riding school type, quiet rider with soft hands. She doesn't school well and is in fact sending my horse backwards in her schooling but she adores her and I know she's never do a anything silly, over jump her or yank her around. On the other hand her stable management is also pretty shocking, I wouldn't trust her to spot an injury/ problem and her mum drives me mad. I keep an eye on her most of the time as I'm usually around anyway. You'll just have to weigh up what is most important to you.

 

[Apercrumbie]

I would definitely give that girl a trial run. Attitude is so important with sharers and if she is having lessons then you will have a professional overseeing their progress. Hands are the most important thing with novices I feel - you won't have to worry about her jabbing her mouth. Maybe have a trial period of a month or six weeks, insist on her continuing lessons and you could end up with a very lovely sharer.

Re your loaner, I'm probably a bit more sympathetic to slapdash grooming than you are - I'd far rather go for a decent ride on a muddy horse than a shorter ride on a clean horse. It doesn't mean I don't spend lots of time cuddling my horses, I just feel there's more to life than slaving over caked on clay occasionally. I understand it must be frustrating if you like things clean and tidy, but as long as your horse is healthy and happy I would try to leave them be.

 

[Theocat]

The horse doesn't care if the bed is untidy or there's a a bit of much still sticking - is it getting a good rider, the right work, and good, fair and consistent treatment?

 

[Wiz201]

As long as the rider brushes the mud off where the tack goes, then I don't get worried by a bit of mud.

 

[motionless_shadow]

Do a trial period....if she's having lessons, she'll get better.

If your mares happiness is what's most important....then see what happens with her temperament.

Have you tried talking to your geldings loaner?

 

[SallyBatty]

I think you should give the girl a month's trial but say that she should continue having lessons on your mare. As the other liveries like her she should be happy to ask them advice if needed when you are not around and hopefully she would be able to hack out with them until she gains confidence and your trust.

 

[mytwofriends]

I echo the other posters' comments about the loaner - as long as that's all the issue is (mud/slight untidiness), that's nothing serious in my opinion.

The girl sounds lovely, and again I agree with what others have said - trial her and encourage lessons. I'd 100% rather deal with a keen and pleasant novice than a mouthy know-it-all ego.

 

[kc100]

The girl sounds great - I wouldnt hold out for someone more experienced as you could be waiting forever!

I've shared a number of horses in the past, one was when I'd moved on from riding school so I was still a bit inexperienced - right the way through to sharing a competition horse and competing (Dressage) frequently. Everyone has to start somewhere and I think that is important to remember - there is a big gap in the market for horses that are suitable for people out of riding schools. These people have progressed all they can on riding school horses so need a new challenge, but something that isnt going to knock their confidence. You'll find with these types of sharers that they are dedicated, very keen to learn and will love your horse as much as you love her.

That kind of attitude is not to be knocked and I would overlook her waiting for the 'perfect' sharer, they may never come along. And one final thing to remember; the really experienced super duper riders often ride for free (or even charge to ride/school someone's horse). Not saying that I'm in that camp at all but I'm pretty experienced with all sorts of green and naughty horses, my 2 year old is obviously not rideable for a while so I put an advert out saying I'd like something to ride but could not afford to contribute - I've been inundated with offers of horses to ride, all for free. I've found a 7 y/o gelding to ride, he's green and needs work but a nice type - I dont have to do any chores nor do I have to contribute. Just turn up, tack up, ride, rug on and head home.

So you have to be careful - if you are looking for a contribution towards keep and want the sharer to do chores, you are not going to get an amazing rider who will continue your mare's education; those kinds of riders are riding other people's horses for free or charging for their services. What you want is a genuine, kind person who is willing to listen to you and follow your instructions for care of your mare, and a person who is keen to learn and keen to be around your horse. I think you have already found that person in the girl who came to try her - give her a months trial and see what happens.

 

[wingedhorse99]

What is important

-reliable - come when say will (and communicate if things change)
-capable of basic care (and if dont know happy to ask)
-common sense - can spot wounds / problems / behaviour changes and ask for guidance or sort out
-considerate to the horse and genuinely enjoy taking care of them (this would include taking enough care to remove mud whether tack going but not polishing them
-capable of basic safe balanced riding
-can think for themselves (with a bit of help) re rugs in varying temperatures.

-Most important that they have the sense to know if they are getting in trouble / to report misbehaviour or problems, and to ask for guidance.

e.g. clipped share horse in winter getting a bit strong / excited / plunging when cantering behind with sharer. I want to know, and deal with issue (e.g. arrange that I do more hacking in company to remind manners, stronger bit / making sure I find patient considerate other liveries for them to hack out with who will let them go first if needed etc.)