Where to look for the one?

[sianmturner]

Hi everyone,
I've recently posted a thread about getting back into riding. And, eventually, perhaps during the summer - although it really depends how long it takes to get my confidence back after a long time of not riding, I'd like to start thinking about loaning a horse. I've always only had lessons and got to the stage of learning to jump before I fell off, really injured myself and stopped riding last time.

I know I won't be getting anything just yet but I've been reading lots of adverts to get a feel of the type of horse that would be good for me. I definitely only want to start by sharing / part loaning so that I can get the hang of things as back in my days of riding, I did little in terms of yard duties and I'll need to start from scratch learning these - I'm going to ask my instructor if she'll let me come and help out at her yard to begin with.

Anyway, I'm having trouble finding many horses for loan in my area - though I'm not sure if that's due to lack of knowing where to look as I live in quite a rural area with a lot of livery yards locally. I'm hoping that you might be able to point me in the direction of where to look. So far, I've tried google; although that brings back the same sites - preloved, horsemart and freeads (usually). I live in a bit of an awkward area too since it's sometimes classed as 'North East", sometimes "Yorkshire" and sometimes "Cleveland" so I know that's going to cause me some problems too. I've also joined a few facebook groups.

The problem I seem to be having is that most adverts I've found are either for small ponies etc (I'm 5ft9 and not exactly slim built!) OR they're not for novices which I can understand.

Any tips?
Thanks x

 

[Meowy Catkin]

When you are ready, you could always post a 'wanted - part loan or share' ad on horse sites, FB and in local tack shops. It would be great if your instructor could give you some tuition in yard duties and horse care.

 

[ihatework]

Many horse owners would understandably be very cautious about allowing a novice to share their horses. All sorts of damage can be done (however well meaning / unintentional) on the novices part. It might be worth seeing if any of the riding schools in your area do a horse share/lease scheme first?

 

[PorkChop]

I think you would be better looking for a share rather than a loan, especially if you are lacking in confidence.

I think regional sites are your best bet, and also market yourself with a wanted ad.

 

[sianmturner]

Many horse owners would understandably be very cautious about allowing a novice to share their horses. All sorts of damage can be done (however well meaning / unintentional) on the novices part. It might be worth seeing if any of the riding schools in your area do a horse share/lease scheme first?

Thanks. I will see about that. I can understand why they would. It's hard because I suppose that's the game we're in. And it's my worst fear that something would happen to someone else's horse while I was in charge - I'm sure it is that of many people. I

In that sense I'd prefer to get my own. However, I think that's a leap of faith from just having lessons and helping out a bit. I am trying to be as sensible as possible here. That's why I thought sharing or part loaning might be a better option. Really I guess I could do with someone who has the time and inclination to help me get started. Too bad I don't have any horsey friends these days.

 

[Leo Walker]

Anyway, I'm having trouble finding many horses for loan in my area - though I'm not sure if that's due to lack of knowing where to look as I live in quite a rural area with a lot of livery yards locally. I'm hoping that you might be able to point me in the direction of where to look. So far, I've tried google; although that brings back the same sites - preloved, horsemart and freeads (usually). I live in a bit of an awkward area too since it's sometimes classed as 'North East", sometimes "Yorkshire" and sometimes "Cleveland" so I know that's going to cause me some problems too. I've also joined a few facebook groups.

The problem I seem to be having is that most adverts I've found are either for small ponies etc (I'm 5ft9 and not exactly slim built!) OR they're not for novices which I can understand.

Any tips?
Thanks x

I know exactly the area you are in, its where I'm from athough I've moved a long way away now Most of the yards are in the more rural areas, although a lot of the time, if you didnt know about them, then you probably wouldnt know they were there. There are lots and lots of shares/part loans. I think most are advertised on Facebook groups or preloved. I dont think you will have trouble finding something.

If you dont want to put it here, you can PM me where you are and I will have some suggestions for you

 

[sianmturner]

Thank you. I will do that

 

[Barnacle]

I also think a share first off is the way to go... Some people are quite picky about their sharers because they are asking for sharers specifically because they don't have the time to spend with the horses themselves - so a sharer that needs supervision is completely pointless. For that reason I would definitely work on getting used to basic yard duties. In particular you should be able to muck out, tie up a haynet, poo-pick a field, refill water buckets if needed... And, in addition, you'll need to be confident tacking up a horse that isn't dead-easy, picking out feet (this is what sharers struggle with most IME - you need to learn to deal with a horse that pulls its back feet away without panicking or giving up!) and basic grooming. I find sharers forget to groom under the girth area - don't be one of them! These are mostly simple things that you can learn in a school setting. What you won't be able to learn is how to deal with horses on the slightly quirkier end of the scale. Those that barge out of fields, leading a horse through a field with other pushy horses in it... Or horses that kick. Etc. For that I think it's a certain mindset you need more. You need to have the attitude that you will ask for help when you need it, listen carefully to instructions and not give up when something is a little bit outside your comfort zone. The riding side of things is less of an issue IMO. Particularly if you're riding in an enclosed space, you may cause the horse a bit of confusion by giving the wrong aids etc and people may worry about that - but for the most part a lack of confidence actually riding is something that you overcome by getting familiar with the horse. Handling and doing stuff on the ground is more of an issue. If you can show you have the ability to deal with the latter and the horse isn't "crazy", I suspect most people who say "no novices" would be satisfied.

 

[sianmturner]

I've just tried but I don't have sufficient privileges apparently haha. Will it work if you message me first?

 

[Leo Walker]

You need 10 posts to PM people I think. So 1 more post should do it

 

[sianmturner]

Thank you. This has been really helpful. It's answered the question of what essential skills are. I was just talking to my friend on the phone and saying I'm a very honest and modest person and I would always air on the side of caution rather than over advertising myself where as sometimes people think just because they can ride riding school ponies to a high level then they're not classed as a novice. IMO, you are a novice until you have experience in all areas of horse care. And, as you said, riding is probably the smallest part of that. So thank you.

 

[sianmturner]

You need 10 posts to PM people I think. So 1 more post should do it

It's still not having it :-(

 

[Leo Walker]

just inboxed you and I think it worked