Why is it? Sharers

[conniegirl]

I’ve been advertising for a sharer for Cobbus for quite a while now, ive had no luck at all.

cobbus is a been there, done it, won it pony that is just easy and lovely all round

so far I’ve had 2 complete joyriders, many many kids fishing for photos or who suddenly disappear when you ask to speak to their parents, loads who can’t read an advert who ask if he is for sale or full loan or disappear when I reiterate that he is only 13.2hh (clearly stated in advert).
Ive only had one serious enquiry but unfortunately we (the mother and I) came to the conclusion that her very small 10 yr old child probably needed another year of growing and lessons in order for it to be a good match.

Yet I see loads and loads of horses in the local area get sharers, some of these horses sound like lunatics or would need a heck of a lot of work before youd even remotely consider them safe to hack out.

At this point I’m considering just removing his shoes and giving him the winter off. It would be a bit of a waste of a wonderful pony but needs must at this point.

so please can someone tell me where i can find a decent sharer?

 

[Polos Mum]

You do have to kiss a lot of frogs but they are out there. Are you aiming him purely at the kid market? Would he suit a small adult? I'm having a lot of fun loaning a coblit that is just possibly 13.3 on tip toes with new shoes and a spooking person doing the measuring (I'm 40+ y/o).

Have you tried mentioning it to your local pony club / riding club heads, or the people that do lessons locally that might know who's growing out of their current ponies. I think word of mouth is great so farrier, dentist, clipping people etc. whoever is going yard to yard and chatting to people.

 

[conniegirl]

You do have to kiss a lot of frogs but they are out there. Are you aiming him purely at the kid market? Would he suit a small adult? I'm having a lot of fun loaning a coblit that is just possibly 13.3 on tip toes with new shoes and a spooking person doing the measuring (I'm 40+ y/o).

Have you tried mentioning it to your local pony club / riding club heads, or the people that do lessons locally that might know who's growing out of their current ponies. I think word of mouth is great so farrier, dentist, clipping people etc. whoever is going yard to yard and chatting to people.

I don’t mind child or adult! ive had farrier and local instructors all looking out. The 10yr old girl was the result of an instructor recommendation and when she tried him he was a good boy but her mother and I came to the decision that she was just a smidge too novice for him and she would get frustrated if he kept stopping or slowing down when she wobbled and the fact her legs barely came past the saddle flap meant she struggled to get her leg on at all.

Honestly he is the most amazing pony, he is a full up 13.2hh so will take up the leg on most riders, my 5ft 10 non rider husband has had a turn on him, as has a 3yr old litte girl. He has taken riders from first ridden showing to HOYS and really looks after his rider

 

[ester]

I know what you mean about some of the adverts, there are plenty I read and think, ermm that doesn't sound like fun. Yours has always sounded like a fab boy though, I've no ideas on acquiring sharers though, I nabbed mine some time after her previous share was PTS- she wouldn't have been the sort of person to be actively looking or have general horsey contacts. I myself was nabbed twice when the previous arrangement ended.

 

[Spanny]

He sounds lovely - just the sort that I would enjoy now that I don't bounce! The only thing that would put me off is that I'd assume I'd be too big for him (I'm 5'6). Have you explained that taller riders might be OK (weight permitting)? I'm another one who has had shares find me, so I'm not much help from a practical perspective - sorry!
I'm sure there's a person out there who will be very happy to find you both.

 

[Jango]

Unfortunately not many adults want to ride a 13.2hh. Even if they are technically not too heavy the short pony stride isn't for everyone. I'm only 5'2 and under 10 stone but I wouldn't consider that size. (Although I'd want a sportier type if I was loaning) a 14hh Connie would be the absolute minimum for me. Another thing that might be holding you back is the area, for the teenager market being reasonably near public transport really helps. If you are I'd put that in your ad. If you are very remote that might make it tricky for people. Good luck!!

 

[SO1]

He sounds amazing. Can the sharer complete him. If he has been to HOYS and people think they might have a chance to qualify for some big champs I expect you would get plenty of interest. Maybe not advertised quite rightly.

 

[conniegirl]

Unfortunately not many adults want to ride a 13.2hh. Even if they are technically not too heavy the short pony stride isn't for everyone. I'm only 5'2 and under 10 stone but I wouldn't consider that size. (Although I'd want a sportier type if I was loaning) a 14hh Connie would be the absolute minimum for me. Another thing that might be holding you back is the area, for the teenager market being reasonably near public transport really helps. If you are I'd put that in your ad. If you are very remote that might make it tricky for people. Good luck!!

Cobbus is a 13.2hh welsh C. He is a very athletic little pony, not a heavy cob at all.

He sounds amazing. Can the sharer complete him. If he has been to HOYS and people think they might have a chance to qualify for some big champs I expect you would get plenty of interest. Maybe not advertised quite rightly.

I’d be ok with the sharer competing him.
He has been to HOYS 4x and won his class at the RIHS.
He is 19yrs old now but he is still game for anything and doesn’t show his age at all.

 

[conniegirl]

He sounds lovely - just the sort that I would enjoy now that I don't bounce! The only thing that would put me off is that I'd assume I'd be too big for him (I'm 5'6). Have you explained that taller riders might be OK (weight permitting)? I'm another one who has had shares find me, so I'm not much help from a practical perspective - sorry!
I'm sure there's a person out there who will be very happy to find you both.

Yep advert includes that he is a robust lad who takes up the leg very well and taller riders shouldn’t be put off by his height.

 

[Snowfilly]

I wonder if it’s his quality that’s putting people off? I’d assume a former HOYS and RI pony was far too good for me to ride - I’d happily go and share a young cob but I’d be afraid of ruining something as good as he is.

 

[Splash2310]

Do you live anywhere near a university to advertise? Another thing you could try (apologies if you have already) is trawling through the ads and seeing if you can find any suitable “wanted share horse” - I would even message any who are stating they want a minimum 14hh.
I originally had on my wanted advert that I needed something above 16hh as I’m 6ft - but I’m currently riding a 15.2 who takes up my leg really well.

 

[Frumpoon]

He looks lush!!! Whereabouts are you?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I wish you were near me I would love to ride him I always look at Welsh c' s and would seriously consider one if I could get another horse, I only weigh 9 stone and have always loved ponies over horses, I hope you find someone nice for him.

 

[conniegirl]

He looks lush!!! Whereabouts are you?

East yorkshire

 

[ester]

I think there's plenty of people who'd prefer a nice fun pony over something 'more sporty' especially a well schooled one

I think snowfilly's point might be relevant though, though the advantage of an older pony is they are established so I definitely worried less about anyone spoiling the work I did once we were into 20s

 

[maya2008]

In my experience, most sharers are just out of a riding school. For the years where I had to have sharers to keep mine in work, I painstakingly trained kid after kid from wobbly RS rider to competent teen, whereupon they went and got their own ponies because now they could...and I started again with another wobbly one!

 

[Frumpoon]

What about one of the showing specific Facebook groups

 

[Cloball]

I think unlike selling you are really limited by location with sharers.... Please post to North Wales he looks lush ?

 

[katastrophykat]

What a lovely little man! he really is phenomenal. What about speaking to the local pony club DC? Or the BSPS area? They’ll hear of local decent small riders who have currently injured ponies maybe?

 

[RHM]

East yorkshire

Would you consider a full loan to West Yorkshire? I know a very capable 10 year old who has just outgrown her current loan pony who could fit the bill!

 

[Annagain]

You have to try everything! I've had a few sharers over the years and found them all in different ways - some of them were very unlikely:
1. word of mouth.
2. through a mutual (non horsey) friend seeing my facebook post.
3. on here - I saw a post from someone saying she was in my area for 2 years from NZ and missing horses so I PMed her. 4. her husband saw an advert I'd put on our work notice board.
5. did/does yoga with my mum!

Having said that, your horsey contacts are probably the best way. Do you have any local riding clubs? Ask their committees if they know of any one and ask all your friends to let you know if they hear of anyone looking.

I'd also maybe advertise him as approx 14hh. Most people will never know the difference but it sounds more manageable to an adult. Others have said they wouldn't look at anything below 14hh even though he would carry them very happily. It's not like you're selling him so I don't think you need to be completely accurate.

Good luck, he's gorgeous.

 

[Sossigpoker]

You say lunatic horses are finding sharers- i suspect that's because the owners of said horses are clueless and therefore don't mind what hapless idiot turns up as long as they pay ??
Your ad probably makes it sound like you know what you're doing and your pony is quality - hapless idiots will be put off by that!
Maybe that child who came to try him might be ready next spring or so?

 

[pansymouse]

Honestly, I would play down the cob aspect and go down the the compact sports horse/hunter route which is exactly what he looks like to me. People also have silly preconceptions about Welshies (not me, I love them!) so I might be tempted to play that down too. Also it might be an idea to photograph him with different size riders on to show his size versatility.

I know quite a few older (70+) riders who like a smart pony so if you have any contacts in the mature/retired equestrian community that could be another option to explore - they network better than any social media, you only need to speak to one of them!

 

[Rosemary28]

Shame you are so far from me, I know someone who would be great! What a fab pony he is

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

same here for my 12hh pony struggling for 2 years for a jockey

 

[Errin Paddywack]

What a gorgeous pony, another one here who wishes he was near me.

 

[Leandy]

Just pay someone competent to exercise him if that is what you want. Much less hassle?

 

[conniegirl]

Just pay someone competent to exercise him if that is what you want. Much less hassle?

Unfortunately I can’t afford to pay someone to ride him. Hence the looking for a sharer.

 

[conniegirl]

Would you consider a full loan to West Yorkshire? I know a very capable 10 year old who has just outgrown her current loan pony who could fit the bill!

Sorry but no.
I’ve been bitten badly a couple of times when loaning ponies so now I won’t let them out of my sight!
He is such a special lad I can’t take that risk with him

 

[wren123]

He's beautiful, if you were nearer I'd love to share, good luck.