Why do people think they shouldn't have to pay to share?

It's not the same as having your own.

I'm lucky with my sharers. The first one was very novice and knew nothing, but was very honest about it, which was a major plus compared to the novices that thought they were advanced. She couldn't ride out alone for the first year, but rode with me, and learned and learned. Every thing is always done as I like it, as I taught her, and although she doesn't pay she really pulls her weight and will happily come on ion riding days for the farrier or if we are out for the day etc. the second one is quite new, but has a good pony club grounding and works for my BHSII friend on Saturdays and us on Sundays, so again knows how we like things. There is never a sweat mark on the horses or a dropping in the stable when they are around.
 
Honey, I think you did the best thing finding someone who knew that she needed to learn and who you had the time to teach. The problems seem to arise when the owner needs a sharer, or even a paid worker, because of lack of time, so the owner isn't around to supervise.
 
ester said:
but you still own the horse.... so not everything is shared!
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That's right. And the sharer doesn't have to pay half the purchase price, keep it in retirement when old or pay PTS/disposal costs. They don't have to pay half vet bills either. With the owner taking ultimate responsibility I think its only fair they get to make the final decision on things.


Pearlsasinger said:
Having PAID someone who I knew quite well in a casual way, iyswim, who had to be stopped because she didn't do as asked, I think any-one who offers a share of their horse to any-one on any basis is extremely brave.

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This. I've been a sharer but I'd never have one! There are too many unreliable ones about.
 
OldNag said:
It's not much to ask is it! I suspect mine leaves her daughters to outvthe tack away ... I can't believe an adult leaves it the way I find it!
I have made my mind up. Sharer is Out! :-)
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You'd think it wouldn't be too much, but it obviously is for some. Mine said to me "I don't see the point of flattening the bed down" ...errr because I want it done?!! She went on to say "If you don't want hay in your bed, I suggest you start feeding your horse from a haynet instead of from the floor". Excuse me? What right do you think you've got to tell me how to manage MY (yes...MY) horse?!!

I am absolutely loving having my horse back to myself. I loved having a couple of days off, but not enough to have to clear up after her every week!

Good luck with binning yours :)
 
Mwaha see I think you guys are too nice from the offset - I grilled everyone who answered my email by email and any answers I didn't like didn't even meet the horse (I'm paranoid about keeping their location private) then the two who did meet were told right from the off that I do things my way and if they can't do that without giving me a reason I think is acceptable it won't work. Fortunately the lady I have it utterly understanding of my neurosis that they are my furry children, and is v good about just about everything.

She does 2 things that annoy me - unclips the tail strap on the fly rug so I have to do it up every night when i spot it dangling and grooms a lot - horse lives out so needs some grease to be water proof!
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
That's right. And the sharer doesn't have to pay half the purchase price, keep it in retirement when old or pay PTS/disposal costs. They don't have to pay half vet bills either. With the owner taking ultimate responsibility I think its only fair they get to make the final decision on things.
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That was my point to Tnavas' post - a share is not a 50% of everything.

TT - my mum does that with rugs, annoys me too! and I probably annoy her by not doing it!
 
My share's a bombproof schoolmistress, who's competed to advanced medium dressage and is on full livery for one of my two days a week.

I have absolutely NO objection to making a small (£100/pcm) contribution to costs! I'm a competent novice, in terms of both riding and horse care, who's definitely getting the best of this arrangement!
 
I've got 2 on DIY livery
I pay a fantastic person to do daily tasks
I pay my dressage instructor to school if I can't
I have an amazing person who exercises 3 times a week - I suppose she's a sharer however she doesn't pay (she offered - I declined) as she's doing me a service. I can't exercise mine as often as needed and I trust her to do a job that other wise I'd have to pay my instructor to do. I know she'll be careful of the ground and be safe. She also does bits - grooms, skips out and cleans tack (so appreciated!). It would cost me a fortune to get someone to do that! This way its a win win!
 
I think I have been very lucky in that I have never had to pay for any of my shares, but then again I have never intentionally gone out looking for an actual share, its normally just been a case of somebody needing their horse riding. The one I 'share' now, I can do anything I want on any days every day if I want to, I do all the chores necessary and her owner is really grateful for this. I pay for her shoes now and again that's about it.

Other horses I have ridden I have always been willing to do all chores, but 2 of them, the owner literally did everything, I just had to turn up and ride which I was gobsmacked at!

However, if I was actually looking for a share, I would expect that I would have to pay (£20 per week for 3 days seems the norm around here). But on the other foot, I have seen a couple of unbacked/newly broken shares advertised, that want £30 per week, for you to basically break and bring on their horse, now that's a wee bit cheeky!
 
I am quite happy to let any competent rider take mine out, i just make it quite clear that my horse is a hack and not an eventer and dont want her used as one. Money never enters my head i just insist they lift some crap off the paddocks.
 
culteuchar said:
I am quite happy to let any competent rider take mine out, i just make it quite clear that my horse is a hack and not an eventer and dont want her used as one. Money never enters my head i just insist they lift some crap off the paddocks.
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As a sharer, I like having set days and contributing something definite in return. Otherwise I feel like I'm begging a favour every time I ride.

I've been part of an ad hoc arrangement where it was just 'turn up and ride, and do a bit of mucking out while you're there,' and found the whole thing uncomfortable and as though I didn't really have a place on the yard.

If I'm paying - whether it's in terms of cash or something else - I feel as though I've got a place in the horse's management, rather than just borrowing it every now and again.

But I think this thread shows that everybody's looking for different things from sharing, and it's a case of finding a person/horse who fits with what you want/need.
 
I wouldn't pay to ride out someone else's pony. I would happily poo pick, muck out, look after for odd days and holidays etc.

I have owned my own pony and had a sharer for a brief time and wouldn't have expected her to pay. She was doing me a favour by exercising said beast.

If a sharer with schooling and competing would probably different but for someone who
just hacked why?
 
Does anyone think the issues around this subject are largely down to the wording? There's Sharer/Loaner/Rider etc etc!

In my time i've fallen into all camps, i've worked in exchange for rides as a teen, shared horses (where i've had set days, have paid money and often done chores, had a horse on loan (where the horse was effectively mine and i paid for everything) to thankfully now having my own horse, where i have on occasion had a sharer.

I found it hard to find what i considered a good sharer (i guess i based this on how i behaved when i shared). My horse is a very good and honest schoolmaster but only for those who know how to ride, and my reason for wanting a sharer was due to me feeling that he'd benefit from more time/attention than i had some weeks, i could do with the extra pennies and i thought it'd be a great opportunity for someone to get to ride a horse like him. It was a minefield tho, i advertised him as a schoolmaster for an experienced rider (he's a little silly on hacks, nothing nasty just jogs and spooks sometimes) and he's very big so that sometimes intimidates people. I got all sorts of strange requests to share him, from people who'd had a couple of lessons and could now 'do cantering' to kids, to people who didn't want to pay to ride. i almost gave up, and even when i did think i'd found a good sharer it went wrong pretty quickly because often the commitment to turn up from them wasn't there.

Saying that i do think they are good sharers/loaners out there, and i would just say be very honest and picky, your horse is the priority and the aim is to make your life less stressful, not more.
 
JadeyB said:
Does anyone think the issues around this subject are largely down to the wording? There's Sharer/Loaner/Rider etc etc!

Saying that i do think they are good sharers/loaners out there, and i would just say be very honest and picky, your horse is the priority and the aim is to make your life less stressful, not more.
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Echo this and those who say it has to benefit both sides. Think setting out clear expectations on both sides helps.

I have two horses, three sharers. Sometimes both horses are ridden twice a day. One is 15 and still at school (v local so can be at yard by 3.30pm), the other two adults work flexible hours / part time, so can hack mid week even in winter!

I don’t charge. Both horses mostly live out, automatic water trough, no poo picking.

But I do ask for a commitment twice a week, on weekdays, from each sharer to go up one end of the day, to ride, check, feed, change rug etc. I don’t charge if they cant make it / are away. We swap round, or the buck stops with me (I can also pay YO if necessary). But they do typically do more if I am away too. All other riding is on an adhoc basis agreed by me, and put in the diary.

I manage what is done with the horses to an extent. To keep a balanced, fair workload. So if have done a very long hack may need a day off / or if have schooled 2 days in a row, third day should be something different etc.
We have a sharer online diary, which we can all see and edit. I am quite happy for the horses to hack twice a day, or school am, hack pm. Is good to have fit horses, and none of them work them hard. They are all nice people, and considerate about the horses. I also have one turbo horse who loves to be busy and thrives on variety, and an older horse who whilst nowhere near as exuberant, needs lots of careful work to build him up and keep him fit and strong (he drops muscle and fitness easily).

I work hard to ensure that everyone gets some of what they want, and everyone pulls their weight. One sharer jumps and competes one horse. One hacks both, and isn’t yet riding in the school. Other sharer prefers schooling and has flatwork lessons on both horses (and may in time opt to do some dressage tests). I compete both horses in dressage and do a bit of endurance. We all hack, sometimes together. We have gallops and other facilities nearby for hire. I take them all out in the lorry too. I am planning to take each sharer on an endurance ride this summer. I have fit horses, which helps keep weight down in spring / summer.

I ask (when it is present) that each of us does an hour a week of ragwort pulling. One sharer makes feeds up weekly, other two have just started doing the horses laundry for me. If there is a big job such as re-doing electric fencing, I ask who can come and help, and some of them normally help out, according to their other commitments. I ask that they average cleaning tack after every 3rd ride. Sometimes they cover farrier / bodywork visits (though is normally me). I see them as sharing the responsibility for care of the horses, though the lions share rests with me.

It isn’t strictly sharing, as I retain a significant amount of control. Whilst giving them opportunities to ride well trained horses (both working affiliated medium level dressage), to get out on expeditions to the beach / downs / endurance rides / jumping / dressage etc.

It does take a significant investment in training the right people into how you want things done, and what you expect. And how to get the best from your horses. But I think also has the potential to be very rewarding. You know when the right people are building the right bond with your horses. And the right people want to do right by your horses and care how you want things done. And I know my horses look to me first, as I am still the one that does the majority of the care and riding.

The other point, is I can manage with no one. It wouldn’t be as much fun, and I would have to do more, “duty riding” to keep both horses fit, and “duty checking”. And I would need twist arms of horsey friends to ride second horse on some outings. So having sharers is a choice, and not a necessity, which I think changes the focus.
 
To me if I wanted someone to improve my horse I would pay them, I am benefiting from their expertise.
If someone was sharing my horse and they were getting the benefits of riding and learning then I would want them to pay. We all pay to keep our horses and therefore a sharer should pay to share that pleasure. Horses aren't cheap. I have loaned mine to other people including those who have come out of the riding school. The riding school is asking £20 an hour for lessons, so £80 a month. If I charge £100 a month for 3 days a week then they are getting a good deal. Included in that deal is me teaching them stable management plus giving them lessons whenever required and the invaluable experience of looking after their first pony. As far as I am concerned this is a very good deal for them.
Equally I would expect to pay people for the same privilege. I hate it when people pay to effectively bring on babies/ be a crash dummy for other peoples unwanted ponies.

Really it depends on the situation I suppose
 
Unwanted is a bit harsh I adore my ponies and they get the best of everything I don't ride due to a back problem but I am happy for mine to be ridden by anyone competent enough to do so I even have been known to teach them to be competent. I don't ask for money as I just want them ridden they are a bit green sometimes as It took a long time to find someone but they are getting better every day. They are ridden daily as this keeps their weight down and the riders love them as much as I do I do all the work while they are riding the only time I ask for them to do anything is if I cannot due to illness or other commitments probably about 6 times a year. I am getting old and to be honest don't really get the money thing I wouldn't pay to share a horse if I was doing the lot for three or four days I would consider that payment If all I was doing was turning up to ride I may well expect to pay a bit but not if I was schooling or working the horse as a favour to someone without enough time. I must be too soft but I like my young people around they keep me young and I am happy for them to keep the ponies in work I also enjoy the poo picking ragwort pulling tasks I do while they are on the horse. I take great pride in my ponies being rounded but fit and never having a day sick or sorry I would find it much harder to keep the weight off without the girls riding them
 
I think a payment makes people take the arrangement more seriously; sadly people theses days attach very little value to things that are free. The charge shouldn't be excessive and should be directly traceable to the cost of "running" the horse, for example an ex used to pay for the shoes of a horse he rode.
 
When I shared it was a forerunner to owning, I wanted to pay to ensure that I realised what a commitment it was owning a horse, even then the most expensive was a couple of hundred a month so nothing compared to owning but it certainly stood me in good stead.

Being able to solo hack is worth it's weight in gold, that's what I used to love about sharing. I used to share an endurance pony and we'd go out for hours pottering about, I have to say it was the most fun I have ever had on a horse.
 
Even though the owner is not asking me to pay, it doesn't make me any less committed. Its just work commitments at the moment that keep me to riding once a week, but if the owner had a problem with it, she'll let me know by now.
 
I was very lucky when I was younger and was able to share a sweet pony for free. When I was there I would muck out, groom, tack up, untack and get her ready for bed. Just because I didn't pay didn't mean i was any less dedicated or grateful. Thanks to a kind lady I was able to get a taste of what owning a pony can be like :)
 
I've had my first share for about 14 months now.

For the first year, I didn't pay anything as owner didn't ask for a contribution. She was just happy to have her horse exercised. He's a schoolmaster, having competed up to medium dressage with his previous owner. However, he can be very spooky although he's not silly. I would buy him feed/give the odd ££ for shoeing but nothing set in stone. I'd also bought him stuff when needed - such as saddle pads, accessories etc. I was novicey when it came to horse care, so she and others at the yard also showed me the ropes, so I would do cores on my days.

This year i've started competing with him. His owner asked for a set contribution and for us to draw up a contract - £100 a month plus half shoes and I can generally ride as much as I want. She rarely rides him herself. Although I was a bit "ooooh nooo" at first seeing as i've had it free for a year, I can understand why she asked. She was paying for everything, apart from obviously the lessons I had with him and competition fee's.

However, I told her I couldn't afford it as I've recently bought my first home and i'm saving like mad until I move in this November. She was really understanding, and said that was fine and we could draw something properly up next year. Until then, I pay £50 a month, I still buy him the odd things when needed and I do the chores when i'm there. He's stabled in winter and out in the summer - although he comes in during the afternoon. His owner is great and has taught me a lot.

The only thing I'm not too happy about is that another lady (who is lovely and I get on with) very occasionally rides him too. She's a friend of the owner. She comes maybe once a week - sometimes less as she's not very reliable and only hacks him out but she doesn't pay anything or buy anything. I think if I do get a proper contact in place, then I might have to ask the owner if she's willing to ask her friend if she will contribute financially too. Not as much as me, because she doesn't come that often but I think she should contribute something....
 
Gembear, I find that attitude really strange. You say you can't afford to pay £100/month - but you CAN afford to have lessons & go competing? You have the use of a great horse, which would probably cost you a small fortune to buy (and to keep) if it were yours, and you're quibbling over the share money. Do you have any idea of how much it costs to keep a horse? Then you go on to moan about a friend of the owner who occasionally rides; how do you know she doesn't contribute at all?

Wow - if you were my sharer, I'd be pretty cross to be honest. You're getting all the rewards and none of the risks; and you've got the gall to try to lay down the law with the owner's friend - sorry but I am absolutely gobsmacked by that. In addition to having a schoolmaster, you have also been taught horse-care by the owner - but you don't appear to value any of this. How do you get to competitions? Does the owner take you - do you pay her for her time, her lorry maintenance, or just give her a few quid for diesel?
 
I think its a bit nuts when you see people looking for a sharer for their unbroken 3 yr old, including a financial contribution. Basically you are paying to look after and potentially start someone else's horse.

However, I do think sharers who ride should contribute...afterall, if they had to go to a riding school to ride, they would likely be paying a minumum of £20 per time. In my mind, those paying £25-30 a week, for 3-4 days have a pretty good deal! Especially if the owners also takes them places, like competitions, farm rides, etc. I would have gladly paid that before I got my own horses.

Just my opinion :)
 
gembear said:
I've had my first share for about 14 months now.

For the first year, I didn't pay anything as owner didn't ask for a contribution. She was just happy to have her horse exercised. He's a schoolmaster, having competed up to medium dressage with his previous owner. However, he can be very spooky although he's not silly. I would buy him feed/give the odd ££ for shoeing but nothing set in stone. I'd also bought him stuff when needed - such as saddle pads, accessories etc. I was novicey when it came to horse care, so she and others at the yard also showed me the ropes, so I would do cores on my days.

This year i've started competing with him. His owner asked for a set contribution and for us to draw up a contract - £100 a month plus half shoes and I can generally ride as much as I want. She rarely rides him herself. Although I was a bit "ooooh nooo" at first seeing as i've had it free for a year, I can understand why she asked. She was paying for everything, apart from obviously the lessons I had with him and competition fee's.

However, I told her I couldn't afford it as I've recently bought my first home and i'm saving like mad until I move in this November. She was really understanding, and said that was fine and we could draw something properly up next year. Until then, I pay £50 a month, I still buy him the odd things when needed and I do the chores when i'm there. He's stabled in winter and out in the summer - although he comes in during the afternoon. His owner is great and has taught me a lot.

The only thing I'm not too happy about is that another lady (who is lovely and I get on with) very occasionally rides him too. She's a friend of the owner. She comes maybe once a week - sometimes less as she's not very reliable and only hacks him out but she doesn't pay anything or buy anything. I think if I do get a proper contact in place, then I might have to ask the owner if she's willing to ask her friend if she will contribute financially too. Not as much as me, because she doesn't come that often but I think she should contribute something....
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I think your attitude about the other person hacking out once a week is out of line, and given how accommodating the owner has been for you, if you piped up with that it would be a massive smack in the face (metaphorically speaking). You are not paying for exclusivity on the horse and if the owner chooses to allow a friend to ride that is their damn prerogative
 
JennBags said:
Gembear, I find that attitude really strange. You say you can't afford to pay £100/month - but you CAN afford to have lessons & go competing? You have the use of a great horse, which would probably cost you a small fortune to buy (and to keep) if it were yours, and you're quibbling over the share money. Do you have any idea of how much it costs to keep a horse? Then you go on to moan about a friend of the owner who occasionally rides; how do you know she doesn't contribute at all?

Wow - if you were my sharer, I'd be pretty cross to be honest. You're getting all the rewards and none of the risks; and you've got the gall to try to lay down the law with the owner's friend - sorry but I am absolutely gobsmacked by that. In addition to having a schoolmaster, you have also been taught horse-care by the owner - but you don't appear to value any of this. How do you get to competitions? Does the owner take you - do you pay her for her time, her lorry maintenance, or just give her a few quid for diesel?
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TBH i'm actually appalled by your attitude to jump on me and our situation. Not once have I said anything bad about the owner - she is fantastic as is the yard in general. It's a private yard, and not a livery.
The horse is on very cheap DIY and there is a groom on the yard who the owners pay to help out when they're busy. I work shifts, so i'm often free during the week which means I go down and do the chores - this means the owner doesn't always need to pay the groom if i'm there. The owner has been thinking on and off of getting another horse, which is why she's asked me to contribute to my share. She rarely rides him because she lost her confidence with him - he's a welshie so can be a silly sod when he wants but he is still safe.

In the whole time i didn't pay a flat monthly fee - I would still give her some ££ towards shoes, I would still buy him feed or hay if needed, treats, I still bought him accessories. It was the original agreement that she didn't want any money, just him exercised.

Now things have changed, I am competing him. So as I said, I can understand it's now fair to start paying more.
Do you remember buying your first home? Do you remember how expensive it is? Not all of us are made of money. I can't afford my own horse, which is why I have a share. And once I've get settled in my new place, bought all furniture etc (I live in a renting furnished place now) then i'll have extra money to give her.


She is perfectly happy with that!

As her the other lady - they're not good friends, they met about 3 months before I met them. The owner often complains about how unreliable she is, but she is too kind to tell her. Why should she turn up when she wants and just hack out - not pay ANYTHING and just leave?
 
ihatework said:
I think your attitude about the other person hacking out once a week is out of line, and given how accommodating the owner has been for you, if you piped up with that it would be a massive smack in the face (metaphorically speaking). You are not paying for exclusivity on the horse and if the owner chooses to allow a friend to ride that is their damn prerogative
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I guess it's good to see things from someone else perspective.
I should have worded it better - as they're not long term friends - they met about 3 months before we did on a holiday and the lady mentioned she missed riding so the owner said she could ride hers when she wants. The owner then started looking for another sharer because this lady in question was unreliable and often wouldn't turn up when she said she would.

Her daughter sometimes rides, and that doesn't bother me at all obviously. Plus, shes a fantastic rider so I love watching her.

But why should someone unreliable not pay? If they were good friends, I would understand but they're not and the owner often complains to me about her.
 
gembear said:
I guess it's good to see things from someone else perspective.
I should have worded it better - as they're not long term friends - they met about 3 months before we did on a holiday and the lady mentioned she missed riding so the owner said she could ride hers when she wants. The owner then started looking for another sharer because this lady in question was unreliable and often wouldn't turn up when she said she would.

Her daughter sometimes rides, and that doesn't bother me at all obviously. Plus, shes a fantastic rider so I love watching her.

But why should someone unreliable not pay? If they were good friends, I would understand but they're not and the owner often complains to me about her.
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Because ultimately it's none of your business.
That said if what you say is accurate I'm sure the owner will reach the same conclusion themselves with you needing to interfere. Tread carefully, you have what sounds like a good deal
 
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