Worst people you've had turn up for a loan/share...

In my experience, the best loan / share arrangements are where both parties are getting something out of it.

I loaned my show quality small hunter mare to the same person from age 7 to 20. I loaned her because I could no longer ride her (damaged hip) and wanted to keep control of her future. Her loaner couldn't afford a horse of her quality but was a good rider, loved showing / hunting / dressage and looked after her beautifully.

A 16yo neighbour, who had sold her outgrown event pony and did not want to buy a new horse as she planned to go to university, shared our just backed home bred 4yo for 2 years, while she was studying for A levels and we were waiting for one of our children to grow into her. We did the day to day care & she rode 3 or 4 times a week and competed at weekends. We paid for occasional lessons & , if needed, provided transport to shows. We did not expect a financial contribution and were happy for the girl to ride / compete during her holidays when she was at university.
 
Thankfully have not had the horrific stories.

I would prefer inexperience over experience with my boy. He is on share as I've outgrown him but had him since I was 10 so don't want to sell him. But he needs fun now. His been there and done it all with me so now he has a young girl ride him who is learning and he loves the relaxed life now. When I was riding him before I got the share you could see he was becoming unhappy as he couldn't keep up with the level of my riding. It took a lot for me to say I'll step back and no longer ride him or if I do I'll not school him. That's what I wanted to do. Whilst I have him I can't afford another horse either so it's a BIG sacrifice to keep him. But for me I owe him a good life. He taught me sooo much. I will take him out a few times over the summer though for fun. When I do ride now you can tell he does miss being naughty. He sometimes just needs to let off steam after being soooo good for such a long time so we'll go for a gallop (girl doesn't have confidence or experience out hacking so normally just trots out) or I'll take him out jumping and he just comes alive again. So really for him he has the best of both worlds. Now when I take him out I'm happy to jump 1ft6 wth him rather than 3ft.

Does mean I end up looking for a share horse all the time as I've found I'll get the horse going well and then it's either sold on or the owner wants it back as they can handle it now. So being an experience sharer does have it's downsides. I have had some lovely horses though I haven't had to pay anything for apart from competition fees as I was bringing it on. So can't complain when it comes to an end. I've just learnt to be grateful for the time I've had with each horse and not to expect too much. IT's all great experience.
 
I loaned a lovely horse, whilst looking for somewhere close to home the owner said I could rent some of their land. Horse turned up with all their old rubbish-ripped rugs and a saddle that didnt fit and wasnt the one horse was tried in.

They then proceeded to charge me a fair wack for the land, every day nearly I got a text to say something I had done was wrong ie field water in the wrong place, couldnt section 3 acres in half.....they then dumped their lami/cushings/should have been Pts last winter/needed feeding 3 times a day pony with me as they thought I wouldn't mind looking after him -they lived 3 miles down the road but expected me to feed it morning , noon and night, muck out, change rugs !.... So a friend of theirs could use a stable on their other land.

Loan horse was fed lots of feed to keep weight on, had his back/teeth done every six months, vaccinations , shod, new saddles, rugs, joint supplements, breathing supplements as if he was my own.

I then heard various stories of how loan horse was lame with different loaners, which I had never been told, owner said how much they loved him but visited him once in a year.

He then went lame, after three months I explained I couldn't cover the costs and vets had advised to retire horse. I gave a months notice for owner to have horse back. I could bring horse over or they could collect. 6 weeks later owner turned up to collect and I've never heard a thing since.

I have been told that finally he has had his shoes off and retired instead of being put out in loan for however many times to random people.

Loaning works both ways !!
 
Another story from the other side:

I took a 16.3 TBx on share years ago. It was my first proper share after coming out of a riding school, he was older, he was advertised as a novice ride. Sounded perfect. His owner claimed I could put my novice mother on him without a bother.

In fairness, he was golden on the roads. However, the minute he had grass under his feet, you'd had it. We tried a tiny x pole one day, in one of the yard fields (there wasn't a school, they used said field for schooling). By tiny, I mean barely more than a trotting pole. He lost it, took off, threw some rather impressive acrobatics over the jump itself, dropped his shoulder on landing and was gone. It finally came out that he'd pulled the same kind of stunt xc on his owner, which had resulted in a fractured spine.

I gave up on shares after that :o
 
kat2290 said:
Can't quote but ImpossiblePony you are totally right!

I would say I am a very conscientious, sensible and responsible person. I am lacking in the experience department but I would love to help somebody out with even just mucking out/general chores as a way to further my own knowledge and learn the ropes. I see ads looking for sharers from time to time but I never even consider applying for fear of being laughed at/looked down on etc. I definitely wouldn't feel good enough to help look after some bodies pride and joy and I would need advising/observing for a few weeks which I think would put people off. Catch 22!
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Just wrote a long reply to this, which has been lost!

In short: glad to see you got some positive responses. I have more riding experience but, like you, not much practical experience and would need some initial supervision/mentoring on that front, and have always had the same worry about people looking down on that.

Recently I plucked up courage and replied to an ad for an older horse. Got a nice reply asking me to email them more about my level of experience. Was as honest as possible (probably undersold myself) and made it clear it wasn't a problem if that wasn't suitable for them.

Didn't hear from them again...but a week later, I saw the same horse (well, as certain as I can be) advertised on a different site. The ad had been rewritten in such a way that it was abundantly clear that my reply had been received and read - amongst other things, 'no people coming out of riding school'.

I suppose at least the ad was redrafted to be a bit more specific: I would not have bothered wasting my time sending a response to the new one. I can just imagine how horrified they were/how much they laughed when they read my email.
 
teacups said:
Just wrote a long reply to this, which has been lost!

In short: glad to see you got some positive responses. I have more riding experience but, like you, not much practical experience and would need some initial supervision/mentoring on that front, and have always had the same worry about people looking down on that.

Recently I plucked up courage and replied to an ad for an older horse. Got a nice reply asking me to email them more about my level of experience. Was as honest as possible (probably undersold myself) and made it clear it wasn't a problem if that wasn't suitable for them.

Didn't hear from them again...but a week later, I saw the same horse (well, as certain as I can be) advertised on a different site. The ad had been rewritten in such a way that it was abundantly clear that my reply had been received and read - amongst other things, 'no people coming out of riding school'.

I suppose at least the ad was redrafted to be a bit more specific: I would not have bothered wasting my time sending a response to the new one. I can just imagine how horrified they were/how much they laughed when they read my email.
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Are you still looking?
Don't let this experience put you off.

There are owners looking for a sharer for a horse because they want to keep their horse and want to ensure that the horse has some TLC and exercise.

It seems mad to look down on people coming out of riding school. They are exactly the kind of people who are needed for some horses. People not over brimming with confidence and yet spend hundreds of pounds over the years for once a week interactions with horses because they love them so much.

Seen it so many times. Nice quiet riders, the kind that riding schools tend to exploit because they have been bitten by the bug and will put up with all sorts because that's their only way to get near a horse.
 
teacups said:
Just wrote a long reply to this, which has been lost!

In short: glad to see you got some positive responses. I have more riding experience but, like you, not much practical experience and would need some initial supervision/mentoring on that front, and have always had the same worry about people looking down on that.

Recently I plucked up courage and replied to an ad for an older horse. Got a nice reply asking me to email them more about my level of experience. Was as honest as possible (probably undersold myself) and made it clear it wasn't a problem if that wasn't suitable for them.

Didn't hear from them again...but a week later, I saw the same horse (well, as certain as I can be) advertised on a different site. The ad had been rewritten in such a way that it was abundantly clear that my reply had been received and read - amongst other things, 'no people coming out of riding school'.

I suppose at least the ad was redrafted to be a bit more specific: I would not have bothered wasting my time sending a response to the new one. I can just imagine how horrified they were/how much they laughed when they read my email.
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Aarrghimpossiblepony said:
Are you still looking?
Don't let this experience put you off.

There are owners looking for a sharer for a horse because they want to keep their horse and want to ensure that the horse has some TLC and exercise.

It seems mad to look down on people coming out of riding school. They are exactly the kind of people who are needed for some horses. People not over brimming with confidence and yet spend hundreds of pounds over the years for once a week interactions with horses because they love them so much.

Seen it so many times. Nice quiet riders, the kind that riding schools tend to exploit because they have been bitten by the bug and will put up with all sorts because that's their only way to get near a horse.
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This^^^
Don't let it put you off. You would be the sort of person I'd look for if I was loaning one of my boys. Generally 'riding school riders' know the basics of riding without having the over-inflated egos. I have a lot of respect for anyone who goes to riding lessons week in, week out whilst in theory throwing money away just because they love horses so much.
You sound like you're going to be a great loaner for someone.
 
TommyTwoShoes said:
Following on from the loan WVTB thread, I was just wondering if people had some horror stories about people they've had turn up to loan/share their horses.

I'll start...

Our lovely sharer was moving away and we wanted to find a replacement to share our forester, or, if their riding was good enough, our cob. Current sharer met someone at work who said she'd previously rehabilitated racehorses etc and was looking to get back into riding after a break to have kids. We said come down and we'll see how you get on...

She turned up, 4 kids in tow, wearing jeans, trainers and without a hat. I handed her a head collar and we went off to catch the ponies. It took her 5 minutes to wrangle our bemused pony into the head collar and we got them on to the yard. She didn't know how to tie up correctly, wasn't sure which brush to use and just generally looked very nervous.

Handed her the tack and she attempted to put the bridle on without undoing the throat lash and by standing in front of the pony and just trying to force it over his head collar. Luckily pony is a saint and stood rock solid, looking very confused! In the end I tacked up for her and took him out to the field. (Although why we still thought it was a good idea to let her get on, I don't know! I think Mum felt sorry for her and wanted to give her a little pony ride. :rolleyes:)

She got on (the only thing she managed to do well) and immediately held the reins in her fists under her chin like she was begging for a bone! Mum shouted from across the field "We hold the reins properly here, no cowboy riding!" and I had to show her how to hold the reins.

Luckily after a plod around the field she got off and we never heard from her again! And, during all of this her children, ranging from about 10 to 2 years of age, ran riot around the place, shrieking, shouting and just generally behaving badly, despite us saying very firmly that this was not the way to behave around horses!

So, over to you...
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Well, there was the woman who replied to my very carefully worded advert for a sharer for my 16.2 Irish Draught ex-hunter gelding, who asked if he would be suitable for her 6 year old son who had been having lessons for 3 months!!! I had to reply that although he's a saint among horses, it wouldn't be a good idea.
 
A few years ago I was offering free riding on my mare - easy, uncomplicated horse. Girl (aged 20) turns up with her mother. Apparently girl had been riding at riding schools for several years but couldn't afford her own horse. I'd left the mare just tied up and gave the girl the saddle and bridle to see if she knew how to tack up. Now, it was just a plain old ordinary GP saddle and a snaffle bridle; nothing complicated, no martingales or gadgets . . . . . girl struggles to get the tack on (horse being very patient and co-operating perfectly). While this is going on, I am chatting with the mother.
Mother : "How often to you come to the horse?"
Me : "twice a day"
Mother : "TWICE A DAY?????? I'd have thought once a week would be enough"
When I'd finished coughing and spluttering, I tried to explain a horse's amazing ability to damage itself so they need checking at least twice a day. Bearing in mind we live on the edge of the New Forest, her next reply was that the Forest ponies manage without being checked all the time. So I then had to explain that agisters DO check the ponies on their patch VERY regularly and that the Forest ponies DO get into trouble/get hurt/fall into bogs etc . .. . . By this time the girl had kind of got the tack on but I suggested gently and tactfully that perhaps a little more knowledge and experience would be helpful before she took on sharing . . . . .
 
Aarrghimpossiblepony said:
Are you still looking?
Don't let this experience put you off.

There are owners looking for a sharer for a horse because they want to keep their horse and want to ensure that the horse has some TLC and exercise.

It seems mad to look down on people coming out of riding school. They are exactly the kind of people who are needed for some horses. People not over brimming with confidence and yet spend hundreds of pounds over the years for once a week interactions with horses because they love them so much.

Seen it so many times. Nice quiet riders, the kind that riding schools tend to exploit because they have been bitten by the bug and will put up with all sorts because that's their only way to get near a horse.
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I do so agree with you. Better someone with limited but good experience who's willing to learn, than some of the "know-it-alls" who think they are doing you a favour by ragging your poor horse round and take the huff when you complain that your horse hasn't been fed on time or properly.
 
I'd pick someone with a good heart and a willingness to learn over someone who thinks they have knowledge and doesn't anyway!

I need a sharer because my horse was written off by my vet four years ago so I bred a youngster. 18months later she was sound and so bored not doing anything I started hacking, three years later she's 15 and loving life. I won't sell her because she was written off as unsound by a vet but I have my youngster too! So the dilemma is can I find someone reliable who wants to exercise my horse and muck her out a few days a week. A contribution would be a bonus as the main thing is my horse has more attention than me rushing between the two horses and a full time job.

I ran a large riding school for seven years had I still been there a sharer would never have been a problem!! I'd love a good riding school client to pop up for her.

I think in this day and age people under estimate how much I'd just appreciate a reply saying sorry she's too much for me or I don't think it's right.

I'm honest about my horse she can be cold backed so needs someone quiet on her. But to see her retired and sad in the field isn't fair either so for now I will do my best to ride her five days a week until a lovely kind sharer or loaner comes along!!
 
Just another to say all sharers aren't bad!

I'm on my fourth share, first ended as the horse was injured, box rested for 6 months and moved to a yard too far from me. Second ended as I was moving away. Third one ended as I just didn't have the confidence to ride the horse any more after he'd thrown himself around a bit on several occasions.

Current share is perfect, at least I'm hoping it's still current as I'm in Oz for four months! But owner said I could still ride him when I got back so fingers crossed.

I'd just finished share 3 and was trying to decide whether to get another share or go back to riding school. I'm glad I didn't stop looking, an ad popped up and admittedly I was concerned I wouldn't be good enough but the horse was described perfectly in the ad and his owner put him through his paces before I rode him.

I've been through 5 riding schools, the first one I was at taught me to tack up and groom, I was about 10 at the time and I've done it ever since. They taught me to muck out too, bring in, turn out. Riding schools offer the tools to learn, you've just got to use them!

The reason for my current share is that the owner got a new job, working full time with a long commute to get there so doesn't have time to ride during the week. But she could never sell the horses, one she's owned for probably nearly 10 years and he's taught her everything and is part of the family. The other, the one I ride, she did consider selling but I think having me riding him made her not sell as I love him so much and said when I was in a position I would buy him!

When I started the share I rode with the owner several times to make sure I was capable and she was on the yard or would turn up while I was there. Now she has no worries just sending me a text to ask me to do them or not do something.

She has a sharer for her other horse too, who is a novice really. She usually rides out with her just to keep an eye on her but I think she does go out on her own sometimes too. But only walk and trot. The owner isn't worried so much about fitness etc, it's about getting them out and doing things. Neither of the sharers pay anything towards the horses, although I did a sponsored ride in October last year and paid for all entry fees and luckily it was in hacking distance. If it wasn't and we really wanted to go we'd split transport costs. I've already said I'll put some money towards the lorry fund so we can go out places.

Sorry, this is a bit rambly and long!
 
Aarrghimpossiblepony said:
It seems mad to look down on people coming out of riding school. They are exactly the kind of people who are needed for some horses. People not over brimming with confidence and yet spend hundreds of pounds over the years for once a week interactions with horses because they love them so much.

Seen it so many times. Nice quiet riders, the kind that riding schools tend to exploit because they have been bitten by the bug and will put up with all sorts because that's their only way to get near a horse.
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This was where I was when I got my loan horse - I suppose it was properly a 'share' because he stayed at his yard and was still occasionally hunted by the husband, but I paid a little towards his keep and shoes and treated him as my own. His owner was pregnant hence the loan.

I'd been in a riding school from 4 to 14, and my older sister always tells me they actively held her back and tried to put her off all sorts of things that might have improved her riding. I don't recall any of that but I certainly know I didn't progress very far beyond a certain point. They also wouldn't let you mount without a mounting block (more common now but made me a laughing stock when I visited other schools) and tacked your pony up for you. Anything extra I learnt at riding camps elsewhere.

So I was 14, and the worst kind of 'riding school trained', and I applied to ride a 16.3hh hunter :) I'm so glad the owner had the attitude she did, because I was LONGING to learn and had the guts and after a few lessons in 'not giving in' when he cheerfully napped into ditches and sat on her car, we were rolling :)

So not everyone thinks so lowly of inexperience. If people had half the sense they ought, they'd probably realise that the inexperienced are going to be the most hungry to learn and progress, cos they've not had chance yet!
 
Well, FWIW, I'd like to add a thank you to all those who consider sharing out their precious horses. Without owners like you my riding career would have ended shortly after leaving the RS (doesn't bear contemplating!) :cool:
 
My best sharer will be my chief bridesmaid this year. Has her own horse now but we still yard together and look after my 3 (2 of which she has shared over the years) and her 1 as a herd. She's stubborn and opinionated and has a heart of gold and bags of confidence and I love her to bits. When she turned up she had just had her share pony sold from under her, literally arrived the morning of her first ever show to be told it went the day before. She took on one I ended up with. It wasn't perfect and reared hacking so she was stuck on the old bag hacking. When I moved and had to sell her share she came with me and shared the other 2 till she out grew them. Then she hung out helping me and half heartedly looking for another. Her loan was offered and we took it. Along the way she shared my youngster when I lost my bottle and helped me sell her. She's gone from basic knowledge but good feel for things to good enough to school other peoples for payment and take on problem horses, and I feel so proud lol.
 
Don't think I've ever had a bad sharer. Worst in the loosest of terms was probably macs sharer. She was a 14 year old kid, who'd said she'd ridden on and off since a baby, but the minute she got on him, could tell it had probably been pony rides off a lead rein. For some reason, I liked her though, and as mac is mac, said I would be willing to give it a trial, as long as she was willing to have a few lessons. Her parents don't have much money, so we made an agreement, I wouldn't take a financial contribution, but her mum would cut/colour my hair for me. (I don't take the mick and have it done every couple of months). No one could love mac more than she does. Her riding came on leaps and bounds, she taught him not to be scared and leg it every time she fell off :p and she adores him. Silly girl went and got herself pregnant, baby was due last week but still not here yet. She still came up for mac every weekend until about 6 weeks ago and groomed him, did his beds etc, and has made it quite clear she would like to come back to him once baby born and she has herself organised. I am looking for someone to ride him now, but not getting any interest at the moment. He would be ideal for a lot of the posters who have posted on here with no experience of the care side etc. Am sure someone will come along sooner or later.
 
Aarrghimpossiblepony said:
Are you still looking?
Don't let this experience put you off.

There are owners looking for a sharer for a horse because they want to keep their horse and want to ensure that the horse has some TLC and exercise.

It seems mad to look down on people coming out of riding school. They are exactly the kind of people who are needed for some horses. People not over brimming with confidence and yet spend hundreds of pounds over the years for once a week interactions with horses because they love them so much.

Seen it so many times. Nice quiet riders, the kind that riding schools tend to exploit because they have been bitten by the bug and will put up with all sorts because that's their only way to get near a horse.
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Thanks for the very kind responses - you and several others - is good to hear not everyone thinks the same as the person whose ad I responded to :D

No, it won't put me off looking, though it might put me off responding to share adverts a little. There are other things which make me less than ideal for many people looking for a share, for example I can only do one day a week: I could do more at times, or cover for holidays etc, but much of the time only one day. For many owners the 'investment' of time (and trust!) would not be worth it for only one day.

Even though I know it's not easy to find a good 'fit' as there has to be a match between owner, location, horse, riding ability, availability, etcetc - so many factors - I think it's the rudeness of first sending a reply to ask me for more detail, then once they decided I was worthless, not even bothering with a 'no, thanks, you're not quite what we're looking for'! It doesn't take much effort, and I'd already made it clear it wouldn't be a problem.

Riding schools do vary, though. I've ridden in one in the past which taught me almost nothing, but a more recent one has horses you can move onto when riding ability improves, and will teach lateral work, etc.
 
Another sharer here......I hadn't ridden in years when I got the opportunity to help out with a horse, I was happy with mucking out, grooming, bringing in a turning out but the second time I went up there I ended up riding and 6 weeks later we are going great. The first time I tacked up I couldn't even work out which way the bridle went on......never had one with a martingale! It's working for us because we communicate and she knows that if I say I will do something then I will do it, she lets me know what work she has done on the days that I don't go up so that whatever we do with her is consistent. She benefits as it able to go on holiday and away for weekends without worrying about someone looking after her horse.

I think the best situations are the ones that happen naturally.
 
I'm looking for a sharer at the moment, somehow I have ended up with two ponies and would be nice to have someone who would like to go out and about with me.

Had two coming yesterday. First one text to say would be late and they weren't feeling well so didn't want to try her but still wanted to meet her, at least they let me know I guess. Turned up 5 hours later than arranged dressed to go shopping or to the cinema but certainly not for a muddy yard. Complained about our access, which I had warned them about beforehand. Other girl didn't turn up and text to say wasn't coming about half an hour after she should have been there. Again, was pleased she let me know but still a bit irritating when I had gone out of my way to get ponies ready.

Reworded my advert and now waiting for more replies. Hope I get a good one soon.

I would be happy with someone coming from a riding school, or someone who can sit nicely but not know much about stable management or tacking up. I don't mind showing someone how to do that, but I'm not a free riding school!

Don't know if it is a mistake to not ask for any money, maybe it is attracting the wrong sort of people? Anyone else offer free shares?
 
Another sharer here who is very grateful to the willingness of owners to share. I have a really good relationship with my main ride, ASBO cob :D Just recently his owner showed me a video of a blind horse being ridden through streams and tracks and various obstacles and then told me that this is how she sees my relationship with her horse, ie trust and team work. I cried!

I was fortunate that friend + YO was willing to show me how to groom and tack up as RS does not do this. (I dont think i would have been brave enough to reply to an advert though in case i wasnt good enough.) I'd been having lessons for about a year then. When I first hacked out with them I had no idea how to even put a head collar on and very careful being around them on the ground:o but was quite confident riding.
Sharing has made a huge difference to me. I still have weekly or twice weekly lessons and use what I learn to try to improve whatever horse I ride.
I think I would be very careful if I was sharing my own horse but I'd be fine with someone direct from a RS who can ride correctly.
 
I think loans can work very well, and they can really help introduce someone to horse ownership in a gradual and controlled manner rather than rushing in where angels fear to tread. :) When my daughter was 10 she was given part loan of a 5yo Welsh B (with plenty of supervision from owner) she'd been riding for about 2 years at a school, helping on Saturdays and all that, and was on waiting list for a loan pony there. The owner has become one of my best friends and 11 years later we share a yard (pony still on it) and we learned so much from her. I'm so grateful for that.

We have a loan/share rider for our TB gelding and she is fab, she's reliable, puts up with his quirks (and ours) so that's great too.

With the pony we've had a few girls come try him after my daughter outgrew him, some of them have been amusing. Pony lives on an old farm, no facilities, not a novice ride, one lady and daughter turned up in spotless Chelsea tractor- child is in full riding regalia, spurs, crop, pink and purple hat silk with bobble...the works. Turns out she'd never had a lesson in her life but wanted a pony. Mother was a bit snotty about the mud and it not being as expected (ad specified not novice ride, no facilities but eh, never mind) but kid was quite sweet, we gave her a little ride round the yard and number of daughter's old riding school and sent them on their way.
 
EEK!

I hope all these stories won't put people off from taking on a sharer. I don't know what I'd do without my lovely share horse!

As an owner I did have a couple of potential sharers who turned out to be timewasters, but eventually found a great sharer who, though inexperienced, was willing to learn. She learned to ride on my mare, and now owns her!

As a sharer I have had some nightmare shares in the past, with owners who totally lied about their horses' personalities, abilities and behaviour. So it does go both ways.
 
I was going to meet a cob last year, two ladies had a field with quite a number of horses. I went to catch the cob, but it turned out to be quite dangerous as they expected me to try and put a bridle on her which can only really be done once you have them under control tied up with a headcollar first or in a stable, and then one of the horses tried herding her away from me so I could have ended up breaking the bridle or something. And they had the nerve to think that I was nervous when in fact I was struggling with something no person should really have to deal with :confused:
And to top it off, I managed to damage my car on their access to the yard with no warning of how dodgy it was otherwise I would have parked it on the road. Cost me £97 but luckily for them the share arrangement didn't start otherwise I might had considered claiming off them.
 
I sometimes catch 2 or 3 of ours with a bridle and then ride one and lead the others to the gate. I wouldnt advocate someone else doing this, but I dont think its especially difficult or dangerous to catch a horse with a bridle thats used to it :confused:

And on what grounds were you planning on claiming :confused:

My last sharer hadnt ridden for 15 yrs and didnt have a clue. Didnt bother me at all, as she was sharing my ex riding school cob. A year down the line she owns him, plus a 3 yr old and a yearling, and has just bought me a horse to ride! She also single handedly looked after them, my house and my dog while I was in intensive car recovering from a fractured spine. I am incredibly grateful she found me :D
 
Wiz201 said:
I was going to meet a cob last year, two ladies had a field with quite a number of horses. I went to catch the cob, but it turned out to be quite dangerous as they expected me to try and put a bridle on her which can only really be done once you have them under control tied up with a headcollar first or in a stable, and then one of the horses tried herding her away from me so I could have ended up breaking the bridle or something. And they had the nerve to think that I was nervous when in fact I was struggling with something no person should really have to deal with :confused:
And to top it off, I managed to damage my car on their access to the yard with no warning of how dodgy it was otherwise I would have parked it on the road. Cost me £97 but luckily for them the share arrangement didn't start otherwise I might had considered claiming off them.
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I think it was a bit much to ask you to catch the horse and bridle it in the field yourself first time round, but other than that I wouldn't say it was something no person should have to do! Also, you assess a road yourself before you drive up it, don't you? Did they force you to drive up? Perhaps they can drive up and down the road perfectly well themselves, and didn't think that it would be a problem? Sorry, hope you find something that suits you, but not all horses are kept on perfect livery yards.

I have two horses, and advertised for an experienced rider to share. A lady got in touch, saying she would probably be of no use as not experienced, and to be frank, she shone out among the others boasting of their "loads of experience/can ride anything" when they'd only ridden for a few years at riding schools. The lady is now sharing my husband's horse. She turns up exactly when she says, is quick to muck in helping, asks when she doesn't know something, takes it in, and is a generally lovely person to have on our yard. She has been riding out with me all winter, and is just starting to hack out on her own (she is tiny and the horse is a big strong 17h hunter). I just now need a more experienced version of her to ride my other, more difficult horse!
 
kat2290 said:
Can't quote but ImpossiblePony you are totally right!

I would say I am a very conscientious, sensible and responsible person. I am lacking in the experience department but I would love to help somebody out with even just mucking out/general chores as a way to further my own knowledge and learn the ropes. I see ads looking for sharers from time to time but I never even consider applying for fear of being laughed at/looked down on etc. I definitely wouldn't feel good enough to help look after some bodies pride and joy and I would need advising/observing for a few weeks which I think would put people off. Catch 22!
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Me too! I feel exactly the same. I would love to do something like that but I feel like I wouldn't be good enough or know enough and then would just be a hindrance rather than help.
 
PleaseVenus said:
Me too! I feel exactly the same. I would love to do something like that but I feel like I wouldn't be good enough or know enough and then would just be a hindrance rather than help.
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If you're honest and willing to learn, then I can't see how you would be a hindrance. You will only end up in the same situation you are in now if you ask and they say no...

As I said before, our sharer for my husband's horse is way more novice than I'd wanted, but she is so lovely, honest and helpful, that I have fitted it around so that she has ridden out with me, or my stepson (she's not quite up to the horse, being little and too nice to him when he is bolshy!) all winter (he is a pussycat when out in company) and she has got a lot more experienced. I would now trust her to start hacking out on her own..

Give it a try - respond to the ads. You will find that half the owners aren't all that either!
 
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