Why is it sooo hard to find the 'right' people to help with horses?

L

luckilotti

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 January 2006
Messages
2,176
Location
Lancashire
hillhousestables.co.uk
Is it me - or is it getting so much harder to find suitable loaners/helpers/riders for horses/ponies???
Over the years - i've had a few out on part loan - yep - had to say no to quite a few in the process but this year - the year i need the help the most - i only get either children, people from the other side of the country, comlpete novices, or people who you can tell are faking their knowledge!
I'm flexible - not the kind of owner who would want to watch their every move - am flexible when they can help, if loaning - very reasonable with cost - and my horses are not nags!
I've put ads up, and despite saying has to stay at current yard, adults only, experienced rider needed i just are not getting the right enquiries!
Is it me?
it's just such a shame i have a field full of ponies/horses i cant ride until next spring
mad.gif
(i'm expecting twins and so far - having a very rough pregnancy!)
Any suggestions on what i could try?? i am not willing to put them on working livery/loan to a college etc but it just seems such a waste! thankfully one of my old loaners might be able to ride one at christmas when shes back from uni
 
I think the problem is that you want them to stay on your yard... When I was looking for a horse to loan I did want to keep it on the yard with my other horse because I wouldn't have time to do it any other way. Some people who have mares in foal, a horse with an injury etc etc might be interested in loaning one but would want to keep it with their own horse.

I do completely understand why you want to keep them on your yard... it is a gorgeous yard and you can make sure they are all ok. But it would be something that put me off when looking for a loan horse having to keep it at the yard where the owner is because I wouldn't feel it was 'my' horse for the period of time.
 
Yep agree with above too....I had problems loaning out my pony when I wanted to keep her at my yard...although I am easy going and pretty chilled about things I felt in the end that I would maybe take over or give advice when some people dont want it!! Also people dont always feel that relaxed at owners yards in case they do something different to how you do it etc...
As soon as I offered a close to home loan my pony was out on loan within two weeks...
P.S. - Im also a twin.....mum thought she was having two boys but I popped out as a girl!! Twins are the best ;0)
 
If it has to stay at current yard you're narrowing down your prospective loaners to people who live within a short distance of your yard, or have cars.

Its also probably quite intimidating for someone to have a loan horse at the same yard as the owner - I know if it was me I'd feel like I was being constantly judged.
 
I've never had problems in the past thou - and the people who are asking to move to another yard and a couple of hours drive away. I do have one who is in a similar vicinity to me who is interested - but no way on this earth is my horse going to where they keep their others! Also, they are out 24/7 or daily all year round and there are no other places locally that really do this in winter - and its what they are used to. It would save them chores etc if they didnt want to do any. From the replies i have had - i am wondering if i am too flexible with it all?
The few i have had down to ride - i have normally stood outside the indoor for a few minutes to check they are ok - then i go and muck out or something as i know that i would make them nervous if i stood and watched them. so i am not really convinced its that?
 
Have you tried newrider.com ?

If you want them to stay where they are getting someone to share might be better than a loan!
 
part loan - share - same thing. the emails i had from people wanting to share honestly thought - that they ended up with part ownership!

i put yet again more adverts up on new rider last night - just going thru the replies now - but despite it saying much atay at current yard - i have people emailing me from the other side of the country!
 
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