Whats wrong with my horse, no one wants her

[wizzlewoo]

I ahve been trying for ages to find a sharer for my mare and all I have had are 14 years and under call up who cant get to the yard and just want a free ride
I have advertised her as follows

'Sharer wanted due to work commitments. 17'2 Irish x mare, lovely temperament, great to hack, school, jump etc but not suitable for a beginner. Never uses her size against you. Looking for a sharer 3 days a week including a weekend day. On assisted livery in Cowfold (west Sussex) so no mucking out unless you want to.'

I have literally had no proper responses and so wondered if any one had any thoughts on re writing the advert?

Do you think her size puts people off or are there just a lack of sharers out there?

Any help would be great?

Thanks

 

[smellsofhorse]

I can't see why you would have s problem.

Where have you got the advert?
Will enough people see it?

 

[Gracie21]

How long has she been advertised for? Be patient, it has sometimes taken me ages to get any decent responses for anything!

Christmas has only just passed, nobody has been paid yet so everyone is probably just keeping their belts extra right until bill have been paid!

Make sure you have her advertised locally (tack shops?) as you will probably draw in much more of a local audience.

Good luck, she sounds lovely! (although too big for me I'm only 5'3 haha!)

 

[4faults]

I am having the same problem trying to loan out a lovely 16.3 mare. Currently have a sharer but she is moving across the country. I have had responses the same as yours, one which says they will buy her for 200!!!!, and one which says they will be happy to full loan her if I pay for everything!!!!!

Im just tryin as many different sites as I can and local tack and feed shops in the vain hope I will find the perfect person

 

[*hic*]

I'd be inclined to change the size to "lovely big" or something a bit fudgey. I also wonder whether an indication of price or whether money was required might be useful. I certainly have no idea from that ad whether you are expecting contributions.

 

[Ibblebibble]

i have a 14 yr old sharer for my 17hh mare and she's been much more reliable than the previous adults who i tried!!!!! ok so she has to rely on her dad to bring her to the farm but she's stuck at it all over the winter.
where have you advertised? and have you looked through the wanted ads yourself as that is where i found my girl, there were loads of people wanting rides but she stood out as she wrote in proper english!

 

[rhino]

There is a very similar horse at my yard (this one's a gelding though) and his owner has repeatedly tried to find a sharer. She has had a few take him on but none have lasted. Are you asking a 'fair' price for the share (I realise this varies between areas)?

I do think the size puts some people off, and the fact it is not a novice ride; the vast majority of people around here seem to be looking for bombproof 'first horse' types and are unwilling or unable to take on something which needs a bit more skill.

 

[Kat]

Where are you? I know a lovely lady looking for a share and not having much luck. I think a lot of the problem is that she struggles with writing so if she sends an email or facebook message she isn't taken seriously. Such a shame as she only works part time term time only and would be a lovely sharer.

Try pages like horse chit chat on facebook for advertising.

 

[Wizzkid]

Looks like a good advert to me, does it mention how much you'd like per month?

That would be a factor for me, no point looking if i couldn't afford it

 

[Spudlet]

The fact that you haven't mentioned money would put me off - I wouldn't want to embarrass myself by ringing up then having to say I couldn't afford it when the price was mentioned.

 

[wizzlewoo]

Thank you all for you replies its good to know I'm not the only one struggling.

Currently have a sharer but she is moving across the country. I have had responses the same as yours, one which says they will buy her for 200!!!!, and one which says they will be happy to full loan her if I pay for everything!!!!!

Where is your sharer moving too? Dont suppose its West Sussex is it?

I'd be inclined to change the size to "lovely big" or something a bit fudgey. I also wonder whether an indication of price or whether money was required might be useful. I certainly have no idea from that ad whether you are expecting contributions.

I am asking for £30 a week for 3 day's with her all in e.g no extra for farrier, feed etc. I didn't think this was too much? What do people think?

i have a 14 yr old sharer for my 17hh mare and she's been much more reliable than the previous adults who i tried!!!!! ok so she has to rely on her dad to bring her to the farm but she's stuck at it all over the winter.
where have you advertised? and have you looked through the wanted ads yourself as that is where i found my girl, there were loads of people wanting rides but she stood out as she wrote in proper english!

I have nothing wrong with younger riders at all as long as they have correct insurance and their parents sign a disclaimer that they take responsibility for their daughter/son riding my horse. I grew up beg, borrowing cadging rides and depending on my poor parents to take me to the yard every day. What I get annoyed with is when their parents don't know that they are trying to figure out a way to get up to a yard 20 miles from where they live to come and ride my horse!! (the case with one of my responses to the advert)

Any way as I say nothing against honest young riders wanting a share horse.


I advertised her as not a beginners ride as she does require a basic level to get her working correctly as she is a big horse. She will happily plod around the block and school with no problems but I wouldn't want the responsibility for a beginner riding her when i am not there with them if that makes sense? Trying to put that in an add is a bit difficult though

 

[claireandnadia]

I'm sure someone will come up. Wrong time of the year and no-one has any money including the horse owners so there are a mass amount of horses/ponies up for shre/loan at the moment.

 

[Spudlet]

It's more than I could afford, but then I am always skint so that's no guide

Watch out with disclaimers, you can't sign liability away AFAIK.

 

[wizzlewoo]

Where are you? I know a lovely lady looking for a share and not having much luck. I think a lot of the problem is that she struggles with writing so if she sends an email or facebook message she isn't taken seriously. Such a shame as she only works part time term time only and would be a lovely sharer.

Try pages like horse chit chat on facebook for advertising.

Hi Kat. I am in west Sussex near Horsham. Have tried Sussex Horse Community

 

[Tickles]

As an example the contribution you're asking is twice what I pay in a more expensive area for a horse that is able to do most normal things (school, hack, jump, total sweetie to handle on ground etc), on a yard with good facilites and nice people. I don't have that horse for as many days (one fixed plus ad-hoc extras) but TBH with work commitments etc many ppl that don't have time/money to own may wish to share for, e.g. 2 days/week rather than 3.

So, I'd def think that through again. You may find people willing to pay that but you'll probably need to make it clear they'll have opportunities to compete/hunt or something as well.

And maybe put something about the yard too as you need to like that as a sharer as well.

E.g.
Floodlit school/great hacking/friendly tea room/whatever.

Good luck!

 

[Captain Bridget]

It's a shame you're so far into West Sussex as I'm in Hampshire and your horse sounds lovely! But an indication of price would definitely help if I came across your advert. Personally I wouldn't be able to afford the price you've given but that's just my finances at the moment. Previously I paid £100 a month for two days riding a week so it's a fair price.
I've been struggling to find a horse to share myself, they're never in the right place!

 

[biccie1]

I would certainly include the price and details about the yard (school/hacking/instructor on site etc) in the advert as previous people have said.

Also the 'not suitable for beginner' with no explanation. I understand completely what you are saying about why you don't want a beginner when you explained it in a later post, but after reading your initial advert I just assumed it was because the horse was a nutter! If you could either take that out of the advert (and screen for beginners) or reword it slightly I think that would help.

 

[Kat]

Hi Kat. I am in west Sussex near Horsham. Have tried Sussex Horse Community

Ah no lady I know is ooop north!
There are quite a few facebook groups, so worth trying a few, I think there is a HHO one. Horse chit chat is one I've used before, they are nottingham based but now have members all over.

 

[wizzlewoo]

I think I will definitely change the wording to 2+ days a week (flexible) as I would not mind a sharer for 2 day's a week at all. With her feed, farrier, bedding etc included I dont think I could budge from £10 a day as there is lots of extra days available if the sharer wanted.

Friendly tea room a great idea to mention too.

Thanks everyone, great help!

 

[neddynesbitt]

Hi I recently lost my horse and have found a lovely chap to loan. I have a friend looking too after recently losing her horse. We have owned horses for years and only wanted full loan. The size of your horse wouldn't put my friend off but she wants a horse on full loan to move to our yard in Horsham.

In my experience, I have found that a lot of people who want to share are less experienced having never owned a horse (that could just be my experience though, you may disagree )

Once you have owned a horse (unless you are short on time, I can understand 100% why people would prefer full loan to sharing)

Good luck in your search, you will find someone

 

[Miss L Toe]

I think £30 per week is realistic, and affordable for parents who have a keen teenager, I have tried numerous times, with my 15.00 boy, people think I want to sell him or exchange for a 16.2, no idea why as I knew what size he was when I got him, one teenager took to the vodka rather than commit to the deal. One adult wanted a polo pony, but thought he was too small, asked if he had been measured.
I have also suggested a "free "trial period during which time they have to take a lesson every week with my instructor, so spending the same amount and doing the same amount of work, they have to look after the pony on days they select, once per day, more if they want to.
Try equine ads and preloved, also local tack shops.

 

[MizzPurpleKitten]

I'm having exactly the same issue so no constructive comments I'm afraid (other than what has already said about a more informative and detailed advert), I just hope it picks up for both of us!

 

[Rueysmum]

Never uses her size against you.

I don't think you should use these words as you are inadvertently putting an unpleasant suggestion into a prospective purchaser's mind. Why not put something like "very good manners at all times"?

 

[Magicmillbrook]

I'd be inclined to change the size to "lovely big" or something a bit fudgey. I also wonder whether an indication of price or whether money was required might be useful. I certainly have no idea from that ad whether you are expecting contributions.

This - the mention of assisted livery would make me think ££££££s

 

[Magicmillbrook]

As an example the contribution you're asking is twice what I pay in a more expensive area for a horse that is able to do most normal things (school, hack, jump, total sweetie to handle on ground etc), on a yard with good facilites and nice people. I don't have that horse for as many days (one fixed plus ad-hoc extras) but TBH with work commitments etc many ppl that don't have time/money to own may wish to share for, e.g. 2 days/week rather than 3.

So, I'd def think that through again. You may find people willing to pay that but you'll probably need to make it clear they'll have opportunities to compete/hunt or something as well.

And maybe put something about the yard too as you need to like that as a sharer as well.

E.g.
Floodlit school/great hacking/friendly tea room/whatever.

Good luck!

Very good point - perhaps you could put 'flexible withy days' as some people are a bit fixed as to what they d
can do - eg a mum might prefer weekdays to weekends

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

its the market and the way the uk is I have tried to find a sharer or Lonee for my 12hh pony - no luck in 2 years

have you tried ad
advertising on http://www.equineadverts.co.uk/-1/16_Horses_For_Loan/0/

 

[scarymare]

I think the size is probably the issue. Its out of most people's comfort zone (including mine) and makes thinks like transport more difficult. I would certainly remove the autosuggestive 'size against you' comment though. Also alot of people (certainly up here) are really anti-mare.

If you persevere though you may find somebody hopefully.

 

[Elsbells]

I am having the same problem trying to loan out a lovely 16.3 mare. Currently have a sharer but she is moving across the country. I have had responses the same as yours, one which says they will buy her for 200!!!!, and one which says they will be happy to full loan her if I pay for everything!!!!!

OMG!! Just where do these people come from and more importantly, where do they get off!!!

 

[wizzlewoo]

Thanks so much guys, all really helpful.

New ad as follows

'Sharer wanted for excellent mannered 17'2 Irish mare on assisted livery in Cowfold, West Sussex. Great to hack out, school, jump ect but possibly not suitable for a beginner. Lovely friendly yard with great facilities and miles of hacking. I am ideally looking for 2+ days per week but am flexible as would like to find her someone lovely to help me keep her ridden. No mucking out unless you want to as on assisted livery. £10 per day all in so no additional costs for feed, bedding farrier etc. Please call me for further details.'

What do you all think? Have I covered all bases?

 

[jalapeno]

yes! She sounds lovely. Have you tried your local pony club? would she suitable for that kind of sphere?