Work for Rides?

RideTheLightning

RideTheLightning

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30 January 2012
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Hertfordshire
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Sorry I think this may be a long one. I'm currently sharing a horse and paying about £15 for two days a week. However, I'm thinking of giving up for a number of reasons - I have to travel about 11 miles to get there, we've just bought our first house and I'm also paying for my own horse on retirement livery - all of which means I'm struggling to afford it. The owner doesn't really ride which means the horse only gets ridden about twice a week so I struggle to get anywhere with schooling - plus I can't afford to have lessons on him which I feel I need.

So I was thinking of advertising for a work for rides scenario, but I could still pay a bit of money - for the horse's shoes, for instance. Would anyone want this or would I be taking the p*ss? I am a reasonably experienced rider and very reliable. I want to study for my Stage 2 so would be having lessons on the horse plus would do any stable chores (within reason as I work full time lol), I can pull manes, tails, trim, plait, etc.

Sorry for long post but I want to know where I stand as I'm thinking of giving up riding altogether due to costs. Thanks for reading!
 
You might. But to be brutally honest, if you are at a stage where you need to improve to pass stage 2, I'm not sure I'd want you riding for free in exchange for schooling my horse. If I was stuck for help with exercising a suitable horse, then yes, by all means, some people maybe happy with that. Or if I had a schoolmaster type & the work was more important than the money. But, as someone with a schoolmistress, if I did need a sharer I could easily find someone willing to pay. And like I say, a green or difficult horse wouldn't be suitable, & you wouldn't learn from a horse that is just a safe hack on the buckle type with no schooling. So not impossible, but might take some looking. And if the owner is struggling to afford lessons themselves, they may feel aggrieved at paying upkeep for a horse themselves so you can afford lessons.
 
I think that you could find a suitable horse, especially now when this winter is such hard work!!

If you were in my area, I'd definitely be interested. Only 2 downsides for me- you work full-time and most people are probably looking for help in the week, and you may not be skilled enough to school on a decent horse- that said, many owners are looking for a hacking rider. Good luck with your search! :):)
 
I see where you're coming from, I wouldn't say I need lessons for the flatwork part of Stage 2 (just a bit of tidying up of my position etc) but the jumping I would due to not having jumped properly for a while as was riding one horse that wasn't allowed to jump and another that was very green. I would say I could school a green horse to a reasonable level but feel I would be making better progress if I was having lessons as well if that makes sense? But I wouldn't want to be riding anything dangerous as I have a job and house to think about. Sorry finding it difficult to explain what level I'm at without overstating my abilities! I keep saying I'm going to give up as I'm not enjoying at the moment but worry I wouldn't find anything else to fill the hole left :(
 
My friend has been looking for someone to help in return for rides with no interest at all, with no money involved. I've also advertised for her and only had replies from children, which would not work as they are big horses, my chap is about 16.3/17 and can be a bit bargey with others, although fine with me.

Just for feeding and skipping out a barn.

I'd have jumped at the chance, when I Helped for riding I used to do numerous stable chores for multiple stables, including mucking out etc.

However although I have said that the person could ride my horse as he's safe to ride and hack, I would not be happy with anyone schooling him when either me or my friend were not around. It's a private yard and I'd be concerned with someone ragging him round while I wasn't there, he's old, and already grumpy enough, I would want to make sure that he was not doing anything that I don't approve of.

But then free riding supervised or not isn't to be sniffed at in my view. Plus my friends horses are both lovely too, and both competition horses.
 
Gentlegiant your friend's offer sounds amazing I would jump at the chance of that, so strange she has had no suitable replies.

Thanks for all your replies, I think I'll put an ad up, be very honest about what I can afford & my abilities & see if anyone's interested.
 
Shame you are where you are! I would have the ideal situation for you. Mostly hacking etc, but could have lessons/ jumping etc on one of the horses, and if good enough on one of the event horses. Wouldn't want money or anything, just to help do some chores a few days a week would be brilliant.
 
Move to Scotland? :D I work 26 hours over the weekend and would love someone to ride my boy in return for stable duties, no monies needed. I could do with the extra couple of hours in my bed at the weekend lol
 
It's definitely worth trying, there are lots of people out there looking for that kind of thing - especially if you can also offer help and support with show prep / grooming at events.
 
I would offer you as much riding as you can fit in for no work or no money cant get anyone to ride my native ponies only requirement is that they have riders insurance which is only a few quid a month.
So anyone want riding in North Lincolnshire? I would guess not
 
I'm looking for something like the op, I just keep getting replys for things completely unsuitable.

At the end of the day I will be schooling the horse and getting it fit and handing it back in a better condition than we started (over winter at that) and helping out on the yard. I'm NOT paying for the privilege!! I'm in Yorkshire :)
 
I too can offer riding opportunities on my mare, well schooled and works to elementary at home, dressage trainer/ GP rider on the yard where shes kept, part livery so no chores. Sadly in Northamptonshire so not right area :(
 
Hello

I definitely think there are opportunities out there for you. The better the rider the more opportunities there will be as many people tend to look for experienced riders to help out with green or young horse (and some dangerous ones too!)

About a year ago I advertised on pre-loved for rides (experienced rider and willing to ride youngsters and problem horses) and got over 30 replies!!

Another friend advertised, who sounds like is at a similar level to yourself and also got a number of offers which have also worked out well for her.

Finally, another friend advertised, who is disabled (missing a hand) and who was looking for a bomb proof horse which she could do dressage with, she also got a lot of offers!!

I think you will definitely find something easy enough, just be honest with your limitations and make sure they aren't putting you on some kind of nutter!! Good luck!!

PS: As for giving up riding, I gave up for 2 years due to work commitments and so that I could enjoy going on holidays, smelling nice and not looking grubby. The worst decision of my life, I have never been more miserable! As soon as I started riding again the smile returned!!
 
I know RTL, move to Cheshire, if the rider was competent enough I'm sure she would be more than happy to take out and about too...

Guessing people are shying away because of the weather at the moment, and the short days...

I'd have jumped at the chance, I helped her with hers before I got big lad.
 
OP, I see you are in Herts. Have you joined the Hertfordshire Horse Riders facebook group? I have noticed a couple of people on there have advertised their horses on a "work for rides" basis. Let me know if you want me to PM you some details :)
 
I should think there will be someone who just wants their horse hacked out for exercise, most shares I have had were like that and the owners did not do any schooling so if d
 
*if you want to do a bit for your stage 2 then they might not be too worried about undoing anything. Ditto find the facebook groups they are a gold mine for all things equestrian!
 
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