WWYD ? Part loaner / share how do you find one ?

[Mary3050]

Hi guys,

I currently have a friends lovely daughter who comes to jump, pole and hack two of my lovely tribe . But she has got in to a uni down south so won’t be around . The horses enjoy the variation from dressage.

I was thinking of finding a part loaner or sharer but have no idea we’re to start or if anyone would be interested? Should I offer just one or both together

I have a 14 hand 17 year old native pony . Enjoys hacking, poles and a jump would be not jumping more than once a week . Due to being older having a little arthritis . Very good schoolmaster type but can throw occasional spook only very occasionally like maybe nothing for 8 weeks will only be for a few strides and isn’t your steady eddy type when jumping . In winter can be a little stiff for first 10 mins . Also pulls face in the stable not suitable for a child. I still do the odd dressage test on him so would be happy for someone to come along at own expense . This would be the one for someone mainly to ride was thinking 3 days a week .

The other I am unsure if I should offer as I only let Friends daughter ride as she is a very good rider . This horse does elementary dressage but I have him schooled a lot (3 times a week) so would only be once a week or so . I would only want someone of a good standard on him not gonna pull on his mouth as he is very sensitive. He enjoys a jump and hack . But for an experience rider i could allow an extra day and I would allow them to compete BD with him.

Theres opportunity to come on farm rides, beach rides, odd clinic and competitions . But here are my non negotiable bits …
- Boots on for all activities
- Quick Groom/ hose after ridden
- Ice boots after ridden older horse (20 mins to finish)

Other bits I am not sure on ?
- Own rider insurance ?
- Tack clean occasionally/ wipe over if gets muddy when been hacking.
- Do I ask for a finical contribution?( I wasn’t going to unless they just want to ride ie not groom/ put boots on but my friend says I should)
- No under 18 ? This I am not sure on as my friend used to her drop her daughter of when she was 16 but she very responsible

I would also prefer to set week days as often leave Sunday for competitions or meeting up with friends. Don’t want to restrict myself but maybe odd occasions were they can join me if hacking out at friends or competing. Then Saturday is my lessons day including the older boy as it can be difficult for me in the week with work . Would this put someone off ?

They are on full livery so no mucking out, we have amazing facilities indoor, outdoor, hacking around the farm, full
or out with a little road work. We are also have a dressage coach on-site but is expensive ( £55 per hour) .

What do I do or don’t ? Would there realistically be someone interested or is there to many restrictions ? Do I look for someone wanting to compete BD ? Do I advertise on FB or where ?

Any advice appreciated

 

[FlorencesLegacy]

This sounds like a dream set up and definitely not too many restrictions.

Personally, I would definitely ask for a financial contribution. Most ask for £10-£20 per day. You could definitely go for the higher end considering no stable duties are involved.

If people see putting boots on / grooming after a ride and cleaning tack after themselves as restrictive, they’re definitely not the type you want loaning.

I would say over 18s unless you know them, this helps to limit being let down due to inexperience and them relying on adults for a lift to ride etc.

The weekend part is tricky and would likely put some off, however as you have good facilities with lighting - people could ride after work if they were interested.

I would definitely insist on rider insurance and ask for proof of this.

I found my part loan on preloved, so perhaps try on there if no luck with Facebook. Good luck finding the perfect person/people!

For background - I currently part loan a dressage horse on DIY livery - but with option to pay for assisted. I do a Thursday and a Sunday. Have my own insurance, groom thoroughly before and after riding, would of course use boots if desired (but specifically undesired), clean tack fully taking apart once a fortnight in addition to wiping off after a muddy ride / wet sand kicked up from the school.

 

[ester]

None of these are ridiculous expectations! The lack of weekend day might be tricky but suits some people.

I think mostly you need to be fairly good at weeding out the ones that aren't going to suit, it is absolutely ok to say no, or to suggest they do a trial lesson with your instructor if you want them to. Your horse, you call the shots, if someone doesn't want to go along with that it's not the right fit from the off.

I have been both sharee and sharer over the years and always managed a set up that everyone is happy with. I currently do 3 days a week as sharer and wouldn't dream of not treating him as I would my own if I were riding re. grooming/boots/liberal applications of killitch. . etc. There's quite a lot of sharers on current yard and most do seem to work well.

When I shared I didn't charge as she was able to hack him in the week which I wasn't able to do in winter and it was better for him than doing too much schooling as was older by then. It also meant I kept control so if I needed him for one of those days I'd just nab him back/she'd do a different day.

 

[melody-maker]

As someone looking for a share myself, I think what you’re offering sounds great! I wouldn’t expect anyone seriously looking for a share to have an issue with boots, icing etc - all that is surely part of what you want in a share (ie more involvement than your typical RS).

No weekends might be an issue - would you consider letting the sharer have something like one weekend day every couple of weeks (maybe after a trial, so you know they’re committed and get on with your horse and with you)? I’m sure there are people who wouldn’t mind about the weekends, but it probably would limit your candidates somewhat.

Definitely expect them to have rider insurance - it’s not super expensive and is a good idea for everyone involved. And I think with that kind of setup, you could definitely ask for a financial contribution - most ones near me ask for a financial contribution even if it’s DIY, so totally reasonable if the sharer doesn’t even have to do chores.

Your expectations seem totally reasonable. I hope you find someone suitable if you do decide to go ahead with it.

 

[chaps89]

Word of mouth is a good way to find one.

I have two share horses currently - 1 I have shared for 6/7 years, he’s now early twenties, true schoolmaster, schooled to advanced medium, hacks, does working equitation and will pop of a small course of fences politely.
He’s on livery so the only jobs are grooming and tack cleaning. The only other ‘condition’ of my share is that I have lessons on him, as I’d never ridden a horse of this type before that was fine by me and I’ve enjoyed continuing with them and progressing over the years.
I don’t pay, the owner is short on time and her priority is having him ridden by someone able to maintain/improve his way of going - me riding him saves her having to pay a pro to do so. And obviously from my side I get to ride the calibre of horse I could never otherwise afford!
He’s a long way away so I only ride him on a weekend now, but I used to only ride him weekdays. I’ve also been and groomed at shows for his owner, helped her at clinics too.
I found him through a previous instructor - we were both clients and she put us in touch with one another.

The other I found on FB, the owners other sharers do jobs/pay, again I ride and school the horse on, no payment changes hands either way. I get a nice horse to ride and take out to lessons, fun rides etc, she gets her horse schooled free so win win all round. I have roughly the same days/times but we flex around each other. Usually weekdays though as it suits me better.

Not paying doesn’t make me any less reliable etc - maybe if it’s not your driver for sharing, put something along the lines of ‘financial contribution to be discussed’.
I would respond to an ad with that in as I’d feel the owner would be open to discussion, but not one where it states x amount per day/month, as I’d feel it’s not open for negotiation/is perhaps part of why the owner is looking for a sharer.

Each share seems to be different, I don’t think there are any set rules so you can ask for what you want, just be clear so there’s no misunderstanding. If you’re more specific it might take longer to find someone but it doesn’t hurt to look.

(And if you happen to be in Lincolnshire please PM me, I will be looking for new share horses soon due to relocation)

 

[staffylover]

I have had a lot of success in finding sharers by advertising for a sharer on Horsemart (put it under the 'loan' section I think, but plaster the word SHARE all over the ad!) I have worked out what it costs to keep my mare per week, divided it by 6 for potentially 6 riding days per week, and that is the financial contribution I ask my sharer to pay, as there are no stable duties to do. Decide in your own mind exactly what the 'do's and don't' are for a sharer as far as you are concerned. I think it's absolutely vital that you have a written agreement in place, so it's absolutely clear what the sharer can and can't do, e.g. no jumping? max hack out 2 1/2 hours? Money back if horse can't be ridden for e.g. lameness? -Whatever you want to have in the agreement. And ask if the sharer has anything they would like in the agreement as well - it's a two way thing. A provisional trial period of a month or two months is a good idea, during which either of you can cancel the arrangement with no questions asked, otherwise say a month's notice on either side? You get the drift..... I think the BHS website has a template for a sharing or a loan agreement, or if you wish I can pm you the one I have in place for my current sharer. I do require my sharer to have her own Personal Accident insurance.

Sharing can work really well with the right person: I've had some lovely sharers, who have remained good friends. And I've been a sharer myself in the past. There is no 'right or wrong' about sharing, as long as you both are happy with the arrangement you come to. But I think it's really really important to have down in writing exactly what you both expect from the arrangement, so there's no misunderstanding which can lead to resentment. Good luck!

 

[TealH0rse]

I have been a sharer multiple times. I've paid nothing (although this was a riding agreement for an injured lady, not a share) and between £60-100 a month and personally wouldn't pay much more than that for 2-3 days a week.

I've seen some bad sharers come and go, so these are my tips:
- Have a riding agreement in place. BHS does a free form, but it is essential you make it clear who is responsible for things. Majority of the time the owner is responsible for vet fees but it is helpful to have something in there about replacing any tack that the sharer breaks (reasonably, of course - can't expect a new bridle to replace something that was on its last life anyway).
- Rider insurance should be required. It is inexpensive and should be something they can afford if they're considering a share.
- Over 18s is a good idea. Younger and you'll have an experienced teen or a parent/child combo. Neither seem to work out very well.
- Set week days are good and work better than choosing days at random. Some leeway is good in case of holidays.
- Have a trial period in which they are limited to certain activities. If you have off yard hacking, request they let you know where they are going to go and when they're back for safety reasons.
- Ask for references. Even if they haven't had a past share, they should be able to show you videos of them riding or references from their riding school. Lots of people will come to try a share out and will end up being unsuitable.

Your expectations are very reasonable. Have high expectations and you'll find a good sharer.

Equestrian only Facebook groups and preloved are the best places to advertise. Don't advertise it on your local non equestrian page as total beginners will show up.

 

[Abacus]

I’m sorry I haven’t quite read all these lovely long replies so might be repeating someone. I would be careful of sharing your lovely elementary dressage horse unless you are totally sure of someone. Maybe it would be better to get someone committed to the pony several days per week and ride the horse more yourself, or the pro? You say yourself you are unsure about offering him and actually many people would want more than the 1 day per week you would want to give.

 

[HashRouge]

I would personally just offer the older one to start with and see how you go, especially as you aren't sure about having someone else ride the other horse and it would just be one day a week, and not a weekend.

I don't think any of your non-negotiable should be an issue - it's your horse, your rules and there is nothing unreasonable there! The sharer should definitely have their own insurance and I would ask them to show proof (but I'm a bit neurotic!). I also think it is very fair to expect tack to be cleaned. For my first share, both myself and the owner cleaned the tack once a week and washed the bit after every ride. You could perhaps take it in turns, so you do one week, sharer does the next?

The weekend issue will be a sticking point for a lot of people though, especially if you want someone doing 3 days a week. A lot of people who share do so because they don't have time for their own, and may not have time to commit to three week days/ would be a keen for a weekend day because it's much more fun when you don't have to worry about work! It's also when more people are likely to be hacking out from a livery yard, so nice to be around then and get to meet people. I'm not saying you won't find anyone by the way, as obviously there are lots of people who work flexible hours/ are part time/ work different days. Just be conscious that it might make it harder for you to find the right person. My experience of shares is that the owner usually offers one weekend day to the sharer, but you have to do what works for you.

Whether you ask for a financial contribution is very much up to you. It depends whether you need the money and whether you view it as part of the sharer showing their commitment to the arrangement.

Facebook is good for finding someone. Post on your local equestrian sites and look out for wanted ads. That's how I found my first share horse (shared for 18 months until she was sold). You could also ask around your yard/ horsey acquaintances to see if anyone knows someone who might be interested. I found my second share horse on Preloved. He's just been sold too, after almost three years, and I'm not sure if I'll look for another.

 

[Mary3050]

As someone looking for a share myself, I think what you’re offering sounds great! I wouldn’t expect anyone seriously looking for a share to have an issue with boots, icing etc - all that is surely part of what you want in a share (ie more involvement than your typical RS).

No weekends might be an issue - would you consider letting the sharer have something like one weekend day every couple of weeks (maybe after a trial, so you know they’re committed and get on with your horse and with you)? I’m sure there are people who wouldn’t mind about the weekends, but it probably would limit your candidates somewhat.

Definitely expect them to have rider insurance - it’s not super expensive and is a good idea for everyone involved. And I think with that kind of setup, you could definitely ask for a financial contribution - most ones near me ask for a financial contribution even if it’s DIY, so totally reasonable if the sharer doesn’t even have to do chores.

Your expectations seem totally reasonable. I hope you find someone suitable if you do decide to go ahead with it.

The every other weekend may work well as I could arrange to do something together ie poles out farm rides etc . Thank you I have never been a part loaner or had an official part loan so have no clue what’s reasonable

 

[Mary3050]

Word of mouth is a good way to find one.

I have two share horses currently - 1 I have shared for 6/7 years, he’s now early twenties, true schoolmaster, schooled to advanced medium, hacks, does working equitation and will pop of a small course of fences politely.
He’s on livery so the only jobs are grooming and tack cleaning. The only other ‘condition’ of my share is that I have lessons on him, as I’d never ridden a horse of this type before that was fine by me and I’ve enjoyed continuing with them and progressing over the years.
I don’t pay, the owner is short on time and her priority is having him ridden by someone able to maintain/improve his way of going - me riding him saves her having to pay a pro to do so. And obviously from my side I get to ride the calibre of horse I could never otherwise afford!
He’s a long way away so I only ride him on a weekend now, but I used to only ride him weekdays. I’ve also been and groomed at shows for his owner, helped her at clinics too.
I found him through a previous instructor - we were both clients and she put us in touch with one another.

The other I found on FB, the owners other sharers do jobs/pay, again I ride and school the horse on, no payment changes hands either way. I get a nice horse to ride and take out to lessons, fun rides etc, she gets her horse schooled free so win win all round. I have roughly the same days/times but we flex around each other. Usually weekdays though as it suits me better.

Not paying doesn’t make me any less reliable etc - maybe if it’s not your driver for sharing, put something along the lines of ‘financial contribution to be discussed’.
I would respond to an ad with that in as I’d feel the owner would be open to discussion, but not one where it states x amount per day/month, as I’d feel it’s not open for negotiation/is perhaps part of why the owner is looking for a sharer.

Each share seems to be different, I don’t think there are any set rules so you can ask for what you want, just be clear so there’s no misunderstanding. If you’re more specific it might take longer to find someone but it doesn’t hurt to look.

(And if you happen to be in Lincolnshire please PM me, I will be looking for new share horses soon due to relocation)

Sadly not in Lincolnshire . Thanks for you advise great to hear from you point of view as you sound like the type of person i would be looking for !

 

[fidleyspromise]

I wouldn't be concerned about rider insurance bring mandatory but I made it mandatory that my sharer had third party liability especially for hacking.

 

[sasquatch]

I’ve previously advertised on Facebook, and had some luck. My best part loaners have all been word of mouth, and some prefer set days others are happy to agree days once I have my work roster etc. I always make it clear if there’s one or two days I would need them to do or that they wouldn’t be able to do.

My yard requires all part loaners to have insurance cover, so that’s not too much to ask for! You can get it quite cheap through Harry Hall (think it’s about a fiver a month?)

I would ask for monetary costs towards upkeep, currently I ask for half the cost of weekly livery and half shoes, but it’s negotiable for the right rider. I also say no under 18s, however again that’s negotiable as I would consider a competent 17 or 16 year old who has their parents around to be okay, but would make sure a contract is signed with parents and the part loaner too.

Make sure you make it clear what you expect when you advertise - if you’re looking for hacking and schooling, make sure you say that in your advert and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions to anyone who’s interested! Offering a trial period of a month also isn’t a bad idea, as I feel like a week or two sometimes isn’t enough for someone to get to know a horse. If you’re asking for a monetary contribution, I would expect that to be paid during the trial period though.

 

[Mary3050]

I’m sorry I haven’t quite read all these lovely long replies so might be repeating someone. I would be careful of sharing your lovely elementary dressage horse unless you are totally sure of someone. Maybe it would be better to get someone committed to the pony several days per week and ride the horse more yourself, or the pro? You say yourself you are unsure about offering him and actually many people would want more than the 1 day per week you would want to give.

Thanks I discussed with my trainer and we agreed. I have a friend who occasionally comes to jump him and the girl who’s going to uni has said she would love to come jump and hacking during holidays etc . I think if the right part loaner who has loads of experience with jumping/ this type of horse I will just ask if they want to ride him occasionally as a one off kinda of thing

 

[ester]

I think in the current climate there are quite a lot of people about who are up to riding at a decent standard but don't have the time or finances to have their own at that sort of level. We have a few even on our small yard though that is partly due to being so close to Cambridge/Uni, friend took two shares BE100 etc. My current share has had a bit of a shock as he's had a quieter life with previous sharers but he has remembered he can do a variety of sideways

 

[sasquatch]

I think in the current climate there are quite a lot of people about who are up to riding at a decent standard but don't have the time or finances to have their own at that sort of level. We have a few even on our small yard though that is partly due to being so close to Cambridge/Uni, friend took two shares BE100 etc. My current share has had a bit of a shock as he's had a quieter life with previous sharers but he has remembered he can do a variety of sideways

I very much agree with this!
I had a lovely lady come and try my mare for part loan, unfortunately she didn’t have time as she was working and her husband and one of her kids managed to get injured at the same time and after a months trial didn’t want to commit if she wasn’t able to put the time in, but she was a fabulous rider who didn’t have the time or want to buy her own horse. She’s Dutch and has trained with some big dressage names and breeders and oh my goodness, when she tried my horse has her collecting, extending, leg yielding etc and there I was struggling to get her to round in her trot haha. She also has a degree in equine veterinary, although not currently practicing (although her husband was!) and it was just a shame life didn’t align for her to be able to keep her on.

I’ve also had a wonderful Swedish part loaner who still keeps in touch, who was in a similar boat and used to compete in eventing and dressage when she was younger in Sweden. She treated her as if she was her own and would bring her apples from her garden and used to always update me on how she was getting on. Absolutely nothing my horse did put her off (including jumping a bounce as one fence) and she was a wonderful calm, quiet, balanced rider.

I also had two friends part loaning her at one point (also veterinary students, funnily) who’d been on placement on race yards and were very capable riders and didn’t mind that my horse can be a bit hot as she wasn’t as bad as what they had been riding!

There are definitely some very good riders out there who don’t want the commitment of owning a horse but will be tempted by a nice horse they can ride a few times a week for cheaper money than getting a lesson or two a week. If you’re anywhere near a university too, there may well be some very talented students living away from home who would love to keep riding before they go home to their horses over holidays, or who had to sell their horses because of university and would prefer a part loan to lessons. Most also won’t mind doing the horse care side of things either and expect it as part of a part loan.

 

[Mary3050]

I very much agree with this!
I had a lovely lady come and try my mare for part loan, unfortunately she didn’t have time as she was working and her husband and one of her kids managed to get injured at the same time and after a months trial didn’t want to commit if she wasn’t able to put the time in, but she was a fabulous rider who didn’t have the time or want to buy her own horse. She’s Dutch and has trained with some big dressage names and breeders and oh my goodness, when she tried my horse has her collecting, extending, leg yielding etc and there I was struggling to get her to round in her trot haha. She also has a degree in equine veterinary, although not currently practicing (although her husband was!) and it was just a shame life didn’t align for her to be able to keep her on.

I’ve also had a wonderful Swedish part loaner who still keeps in touch, who was in a similar boat and used to compete in eventing and dressage when she was younger in Sweden. She treated her as if she was her own and would bring her apples from her garden and used to always update me on how she was getting on. Absolutely nothing my horse did put her off (including jumping a bounce as one fence) and she was a wonderful calm, quiet, balanced rider.

I also had two friends part loaning her at one point (also veterinary students, funnily) who’d been on placement on race yards and were very capable riders and didn’t mind that my horse can be a bit hot as she wasn’t as bad as what they had been riding!

There are definitely some very good riders out there who don’t want the commitment of owning a horse but will be tempted by a nice horse they can ride a few times a week for cheaper money than getting a lesson or two a week. If you’re anywhere near a university too, there may well be some very talented students living away from home who would love to keep riding before they go home to their horses over holidays, or who had to sell their horses because of university and would prefer a part loan to lessons. Most also won’t mind doing the horse care side of things either and expect it as part of a part loan.

thank you glad of your reply I have had some right nellies inquire not gonna lie it was starting to put me off. I will just hold out a little longer

 

[HashRouge]

Not in Sussex are you Mary? I could be tempted!

 

[Pipps]

I think having your non-negotiables is a good thing, hopefully help you weed out those who aren't suitable from the off. Saves wasting yours and potential loaners time.

As there are no duties to do (I don't see grooming and keeping tack clean/tidy as a duty, it's bonding and good manners) you should definitely ask for a financial contribution, again may help rule out of some less suitable people.

 

[Birker2020]

I was looking into having a horse on loan as I was planning on retrying to ride Lari and if it hadn't worked he was off to retirement livery which would have meant using his empty box for a loan horse.

However I've not tried to ride him yet and I'm conscious I need to rough him off a bit first so am now keeping him till the spring. Then when he is off I will look at one on loan as I think a lot of people will have horses available.

 

[Annagain]

I'd try your local riding clubs - people there might know of someone looking, maybe someone who's lost a horse recently or has a long term lame one.

As both a sharer and a sharee in the past the top tips I'd give are:

- be clear who is responsible for what and what they can do but once you've done that you have to let them get on with it and not interfere unless there are safety/welfare concerns (this is the hardest one)
- agree on set days but allow a bit of flexibility now and again because life happens
- keep talking to one another. This is probably the easiest when you have a couple of horse as you can ride at the same time and have a natter

I've had some who paid and some who didn't as my and their circumstances were different. The only things I insisted on were public liability insurance, hi-viz when hacking and don't do anything stupid.

I'd like to think I've been quite a good judge of character / riding ability over the years and I've never had one that didn't work out - just one I said no to. She wasn't a great rider and struggled to stop Archie in the school so turned him at the fence which had an open field behind it, even though two other sides had haylage bales and a barn creating a solid barrier. I wouldn't have put it past him to jump that fence and b****r off. Luckily he stopped. She didn't seem to be in the slightest bit fazed by this and still wanted to ride him she was perplexed when I said no as she thought she'd done brilliantly. The total lack of awareness that she couldn't ride one side of him scared me more than her not being able to ride him!

I'm guessing from what you've written that you'll advertise the native and then if they're competent enough on him, offer an extra day on the bigger horse? Is that what you meant rather than only offering one day a week on the bigger one?