Would anyone be interested in this kind of arrangement?

PollyP

PollyP

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Hi all,

I have recently moved to just outside of Basingstoke (Winslade- going toward Alton to be precise)

I currently volunteer at my local RDA two days a week which I'm really enjoying and getting back into the swing of things!

I would love to start riding again but feel I'm currently too heavy to start up lessons again at a stable. (I'm about 8lbs over the max. weight of most stables)

I've ridden for years and just love being around horses and everything about them! I was wondering if anyone has a set up where by someone just helps with turn out/bring in, grooming, mucking out etc. am hoping that with the exercise and motivation I can get back into the saddle again!

I don't work so am free most of the time! Am thinking of advertising on pre loved or the like but wanted to gauge people's reactions first.. Is this type of help something that anyone would consider? Would anyone expect a financial contribution?

Any advice greatly appreciated! Thanks!
 
Hi,

Firstly well done on your RDA work, great stuff!

Secondly good on you for wanting to lose the extra pounds and get on board again, I'm sure you'll be glad you did it and have loads of fun :)

With regard your question - it sounds like the sort of freelance groom / yard help that people advertise for. Not everybody wants someone to ride their horse but could do with a hand getting the day to day mundane stuff done, especially if they work, and I think the area you are in is in the commuter belt for London so you could get lucky there. I'd say you'd definitely get interest if you put some cards up in local tack shops / advertised in your free-ads paper. We have people around here that do that, also holiday cover and short notice filling in, and generally charge around £8-10 / hr depending on where you are, how long it takes, how many they can do in the same area at the same time. You could be in for a littler earner as well as having fun and losing the weight!

If on the other hand you are looking to be sharer of somebody else's horse, eg do the leg work for the joy of it and treat the horse as your own, and in time get some riding too, then yes I think you'd be asked for a contribution but I doubt it would be very much. I've never done sharing so don't know much about it really - sorry.

Decide which angle you want to approach it from - as a job / service, or as a hobby to give you pleasure, and then take it from there.

Good luck with it :)
 
Hi Angelbones thanks very much for the reply!

I hadn't even thought of the local paper etc! Will try there!

In regards to possibly sharing, this could be an option a little later on but I would be wanting some more lessons first as although I'm a confident rider and can go as far as popping a few small fences I want to get my skills up to scratch first.

I just want to do it for the joy of it really, to get me out of the house and just to be able to spend some time with the horses would be lovely! Also I would love to meet some horsey people as coming from London I have a distinct lack of horsey friends! :) x
 
Yes - I would but unfortunately I live in Kent! No I wouldn't expect a contribution, I would pay you!!
 
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I have youngsters who are turned away at the moment, to be brought into work early next year. I'd love to have somebody to look after them with a view to riding them once they were back in work. Unfortunately I'm in Essex, so too far for you.

Keep asking around though, and maybe put up a notice in your local tack shop? Word of mouth seems to work quite well.
 
if i was you i would definatly try preloved and sometimes local riding schools will take advantage of free labour! if i was in your area i would be happy for someone to come and help me make an extra fuss of my babys! people who work difficult hours are always looking for help especially with youngsters who arnt yet broken or retired/ injured etc as most people who offer help only do it in return for rides.
i think you will easy find somthing!
thers also alot of people out there that only own a horse for the sake saying they own one and dont do any of the dirty work that would be happy to save money by letting you do jobs instead paying out for full livery!

good luck :D
 
Yes definately, unless I'm reading your post wrong there would be no way I would expect a financial contribution from you.

Have you thought about putting an advert in local tack shops/feed merchants or even asking a farrier if you can put an advert in his van (i always read the adverts my farrier has on the inside of his van doors).
 
There are people advertising on Equineadverts.co.uk that are just like you, and on Preloved. Someone would bite your hand off!! Just make sure they're nice to you and there would be a possibility of riding in the future - some people would walk all over you..

Good luck! Wish you were nearer!
 
Why not try your local riding schools? I'm sure they would jump at the chance of free help! It would also give you a chance to suss them out prior to having lessons, plus you may find their weight limits are more flexible when they know you. Good luck.
 
Thanks all!

FAO hoggedcob I've sent you a PM but it may not come through as I've got very intermittent internet connection! Please let me know if it doesn't as I'm really interested!
 
Have you asked around at your RDA centre too, maybe put up a notice there if they'll let you. Around here many of the RDA volunteers are ones who have horses anyway so it might be the same where you are. Good luck and enjoy your RDA work, it's very rewarding.
 
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