Would ANYONE be interested....or would everyone think I was taking the mickey :(

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Tom_Thumb

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Hello!

I moved from the countryside to London/Herts border about 4 months ago now. I haven't sat on a horse since and really really miss it.

Now...I am an experienced rider (I hope!) I have ridden for the past 15 years, had my own horses, worked for many different types of yards and helped to bring on other peoples youngsters, green, nervous, nappy horses etc. I believe I am a quiet and patient rider...but a little bit rusty!

My working hours are a bit all over the place (trainee vet nurse) and I don't earn a huge wage...as well as paying rent in London I don't have much left over every month. There is no way I can afford a share, I have looked but I can't afford £30 a week or commit to 2/3 days a week as my hours are never the same. I am doing a bit of volunteering at the RDA which is nice.

However today I thought I would treat myself to a riding lesson. It was pretty expensive so a one off. I can't afford anymore and I WON'T be going back as it wasn't a great experience if I'm honest! I have been quite upset all day trying to figure out how on earth I can carry on riding!!!

Now if you are still with me here is my question...

Would ANYONE be interested in a nice quiet and confident rider to come along and ride one of their horses every so often? I could school and help bring on someones horse or perhaps someone just wants their horse hacked out or some company to hack out with??? Doesn't have to be regularly, just once every so often would even be nice! BUT I would probably not be able to offer much in the way of financial contribution...I could help a bit towards shoes/offer my services in the way of yard jobs etc. I was thinking about putting up adverts etc but if a stranger wanted to ride my horse for free I would think they were taking the pee!

It's so difficult living here without riding as when I lived back in the countryside I always had offers of horses to ride! But now I have moved halfway across the country and have no contacts what so ever!!

Or any other suggestions apart from paying for riding lessons/share etc muchly appreciated, I'm feeling a bit down today, horses have been my life and I don't think I can stay sane without having a ride every so often :(
 
MEEE!!!! I would I have two and cope with them both myself I am not ready to give up either but it is nice to have an easier day once in a while so I quite happily let people ride my older school masterever so often.

Unfortunatly I am not near you but dont give up hope I am sure there are others like me. We may just be tricky to find because, I am not looking for a sharer so I am not advertising nor do i look at adverts.

Try offering a little volunteer work at a riding school/ livery yard just to get you meeting horsey people. Advertise in tack rooms face book every where you can and dont get disheartened if it takes a while x
 
I did exactly this some years ago when I was horseless. I put an ad up in the local tack shop saying that I was available during the week and a lady contacted me who had a horse but worked all week. Maybe in this day and age some people would expect some payment but you could always offer to poo pick or something similar.

Also, have you asked at the RDA? I help out at a group and lots of us own horses or know people who do - that should be the first place to ask (if you don't ask, you don't get!)
 
OP is volunteering at the RDA already.
Next summer I will need help with my youngster, so there must be people who need it now - in fact you give me hope that I may be able to find someone next year! With winter coming I should think time stressed people will be happy to have you ride for mucking out and so on.
Why was your lesson so bad? That is a shame.
 
Yes people would definately be interested... I have a friend of mine made through the stables who helps me exercise my horse - TBH I would much rather the RIGHT person rather than part sharing for the financial contribution ( unless necessary)
 
Brilliant, so I will try my luck and pop up a few adverts then :)
Anyone know of any yards around the Mill Hill/Edgware area I should go and put an advert up in? I have found a few on google but if anyone knows of any good ones in particular that would be lovely!
 
I'm another one looking for exactly that, but in another area!

I have an ad for someone to help ride mine on equineadverts.co.uk. They have a section for riders wanted/offered... All areas of the country. Its free, so may be worth an ad..?
 
I have a friend who ocassionally rides my mare out with me while she is looking for her own. Suits me fine as means both her & my tb get exercised & because its not a set in stone regular thing I can still do what I want, when I want with the mare. Plus added bonus she is a fab little poo picker - fair swap for tea, biscuits & a ride on my lovely little mare :D I guess just getting to know people & spreading the word you don't mind helping out for a ride would be the way to go......
 
absolutely :) sometimes especially if you work odd hours so might be able to do days in the week sometimes.

Years ago my mum put a very honest advert in the local tackshop and got several responses rode for one for about 6 months then went to ride for someone who had about 6 at the times and me and my sister joined in only contributing to shoes :). A friend also did similar and found a nice horse to ride for about a year.

I've had to leave my lad with my mum while I start a new job but am hacking once a week on a lovely mare in return for mucking her out and poo-picking that day :)

IME I love my pony but its lovely to have a day off occasionally!
 
ester said:
absolutely :) sometimes especially if you work odd hours so might be able to do days in the week sometimes.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I tend to do a few 9-5 but I will have the odd 11-6, 1-8pm or 9-2 etc. Basically my hours are never the same so I am afraid I would be unable to commit to a formal sharing arrangement. Hopefully I will find something :)
 
I'm in the same position as you, and yes it sucks. I can't find anything either, but i wouldn't be able to offer financial contribution either, so i feel like i'm sort of taking the pee a bit too. If you get any offers from E.Yorks - Beverley are, please send them here!! Good luck :)
 
There's a lady near me who has been advertising for someone like you for ages! Just wants help exercising three horses - can't understand why noone is biting her hand off - I'm tempted to myself despite having my own just because it seems like a great deal!
Good luck - I really hope you find something xx
 
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