Why is it so hard to find a sharer?

S

Sandylou

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I've been searching for a sharer/rider for 7 months now! It seems an impossible task and I don't understand why I can't find anyone.
I've advertised on Preloved and contacted people though word of mouth but no-one has fitted the bill. People that have responded to my ads have either been too heavy, out of the saddle for years or talk the talk but have turned out to be nervous even just going in a field of horses let alone handling and riding mine!!
The ad is honest in that he's only 7(ish) years old and can be green at times so he's not suitable for a complete novice. I'm not looking for financial committment, I just want someone that is kind, quiet, confident, knows what they're doing and is committed.
I would have snapped someone's hand off for a deal like this before I bought my horse!
Is there anything else that I should be doing? Where did you find your sharer if you have one? How long did it take?
 
I would advertise on something like Horsemart and in local tack shops, feed merchants and so on. The more places you can advertise, the better. Also check the way your ad is worded in case it might be putting people off or attracting the wrong type of people.
 
chestnut cob said:
I would advertise on something like Horsemart and in local tack shops, feed merchants and so on. The more places you can advertise, the better. Also check the way your ad is worded in case it might be putting people off or attracting the wrong type of people.
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Would you leave the word COB out of the ad? Seems to me that people still seem to believe that all cobs can carry heavy loads and are plod alongs?!
 
I responded to someone with very exact requirements [summer share only, competing etc] first Q she asked was, will there be a contribution, darn right there will, I am not going to allow someone I don't know to have full and free access to my horse without having lessons and these have to be paid for, by her.
Have heard nothing more, also she is not available for a week to come and see horse.......... does not sound a very suitable sharer, more like someone who does not wan't to pay for her lessons, and is not willing to work at a riding school in exchange for lessons, which is an alternative.
I don't want to seem awkward [!] but really, why would I allow some unknown person ride my horse while I pay for everything?
 
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Miss L Toe said:
I responded to someone with very exact requirements [summer share only, competing etc] first Q she asked was, will there be a contribution, darn right there will, I am not going to allow someone I don't know to have full and free access to my horse without having lessons and these have to be paid for, by her.
Have heard nothing more, also she is not available for a week to come and see horse.......... does not sound a very suitable sharer, more like someone who does not wan't to pay for her lessons, and is not willing to work at a riding school in exchange for lessons, which is an alternative.
I don't want to seem awkward [!] but really, why would I allow some unknown person ride my horse for free?
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Good point. However, if the right person comes along then they are doing me just as much of a favour as I am then i.e. my horse needs riding, person needs something to ride = win win in my eyes.
My ad doesn't say anything about financial contributions so people don't know if I want any money until they ask. I would consider asking for moeny towards shoes and poss a bit of hay in the winter but overall I am happy to pay for his keep.
 
Miss L Toe said:
I responded to someone with very exact requirements [summer share only, competing etc] first Q she asked was, will there be a contribution, darn right there will, I am not going to allow someone I don't know to have full and free access to my horse without having lessons and these have to be paid for, by her.
Have heard nothing more, also she is not available for a week to come and see horse.......... does not sound a very suitable sharer, more like someone who does not wan't to pay for her lessons, and is not willing to work at a riding school in exchange for lessons, which is an alternative.
I don't want to seem awkward [!] but really, why would I allow some unknown person ride my horse while I pay for everything?
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Totally agree with you, luckily we found both our sharers straight away although the newest girl was abit shocked when we told her she would have to contribute, but she has paid on time every month & she is very reliable. I take the view the cost of going to a riding school isn't cheap so our sharers pay a set amount a month & they can ride pretty much as much as they want & they ride 2/3 times a week.

They are out there, but I do think so many are advertised there is so much choice. Try advertising on Equine Adverts aswell, hope you find soemone soon.
 
Sandylou said:
Good point. However, if the right person comes along then they are doing me just as much of a favour as I am then i.e. my horse needs riding, person needs something to ride = win win in my eyes.
My ad doesn't say anything about financial contributions so people don't know if I want any money until they ask. I would consider asking for moeny towards shoes and poss a bit of hay in the winter but overall I am happy to pay for his keep.
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Yes, I understand, but if the boot were on the other foot and I was looking for a horse to compete over the summer, the first thing I would do is to go along and see if the horse was suitable [for the rider], I would expect have to pay for transport and for fees, the alternative is to get a job at a competition yard. Enthusiasm seems to be lacking, they seem to want it handed to them on a plate.
"The right person" may come along, but more likely it will be the wrong person, I know of a girl who had a loan on an occasionaly sharp, but generally safe horse, owner made sure that horse was on hay and mineral only diet, I saw the girl ride it a few times, and she was pretty, well, casual is one way of describing her riding style.
Roll on three years, girl is "breaking in a youngster" [tells me her loan horse was too ploddy, except when in a field!], wonders what she should do to calm her youngster down as it "is a bit of a handful"............... maybe take it off molassed chaff and sugar beet diet to start, and no, well she does NOT know how to long rein, is it really necessary, no one else does it?
Sorry digressed there, try other free sites, and maybe there will be a group of teens at the local Riding School, try their fb pages.
 
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Sandylou said:
Would you leave the word COB out of the ad? S
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Absolutely. Probably attracting the wrong sort of person. I would also advertise for a sharer / rider. I tend not to respond to sharer adverts but do scan adverts wanting riders.
Also add in wording to the effect that the right rider is more important than financial contribution. This again is something I look for as find it embarrasing to have to ask if financial contribution required if its not stated on advert.

By pure coincidence I am in south leicestershire on saturday morning trying out a horse, or being tested by owner, which way you want to look at it. :eek:
 
PaddyMonty said:
Absolutely. Probably attracting the wrong sort of person. I would also advertise for a sharer / rider. I tend not to respond to sharer adverts but do scan adverts wanting riders.
Also add in wording to the effect that the right rider is more important than financial contribution. This again is something I look for as find it embarrasing to have to ask if financial contribution required if its not stated on advert.

By pure coincidence I am in south leicestershire on saturday morning trying out a horse, or being tested by owner, which way you want to look at it. :eek:
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Thanks PaddyMonty! We spoke back in December about my horse but he's too small for you at 15hh :( He has filled out though so your legs might not hang so low now :) My last rider was around 5'10" and she looked fine on him.......when she ever did get around to riding on the very rare occassions!
Where in South Leic are you going on Saturday? I may know the person?
 
Try contacting local pony & riding clubs if you haven't already incase there's an experienced member currently without a rideable horse. And maybe a good riding school, some pupils will have other experience horse wise but unable to have their own at present.
 
I've been paying all expenses and even driving pony and rider to local shows! I'm afraid the first one, though excellent, was exercising the pony, on average, one day a fortnight. So she was replaced with someone with more commitment but requiring a contribution -- from me! All the rider was expected to contribute, apart from exercising the pony, was some grooming. I even cooked the lunch and picked the poo! But I still can't find a suitable rider for love nor money.:(
 
PaddyMonty said:
:eek: Thats exactly what the owners of the horses I ride and have ridden do :p
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My boy is a bit tricky, even tries to eject my BHSII instructor when he feels so inclined!!!
I have had four reasonable girls ride him in the past, one got ejected [soft landing], one couldn't tell which leg horse was leading, one complained he did not work in an outline, one managed fine, oh forgot the one who let him hit the arena fence [he had only been backed two weeks!]
I am not suggesting this is a long term situation, but I want to reject those who want a free share in order to stop paying for hire of a horse and a lesson at the riding school, that is one way!
 
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I would ask for a small contribution tbh, the responses I got really improved after I put a small amount on the ad. I also stated a weight limit of 13 stone as having a big IDx I was getting 18stone novices enquiring.
 
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