Advice about putting a horse on share please?

[Equimum]

DH and I have the most lovely warmblood who is kept on part-livery at a great yard in the South-East. He's been at tha same yard since he was three (11 years).
I am currently 12weeks pregnant and at the same time I fell pregnant, DH got offered a job, which despite involving a two hour commute, was too good to turn down, so we immediately decided we needed to find a sharer. We have been advertising through a number of places (saddle rise, FB, local paper, riding instructors for six weeks) and had several people contact us but everyone suitable says we're asking for too much money, although they'd all prefer a horse on part than on DIY.

We're asking sharers for just under half livery cost in return for three-fours days riding, including a weekend day if they want. We still intend to pay shoeing, vet, insurance and all other costs. We have offered to chance to compete at dressage as he enjoys this. So in total we are asking for less than a third of the cost of keeping him for more than half of the time share. when we shared a horse at the same yard, we paid half of all cost for three days and felt that was reasonable.

Do you think we are being unreasonable with what we are asking?

[wisecamel]

I think it depends how much you're actually asking for. I have shared in the past and had a ceiling on how much I would pay to ride someone else's horse. My budget was not relative to the amount he cost to keep, but what my finances would allow.

If you are looking for someone to help fund your horse ownership (and there's nothing wrong with that) then hold out for more money. However, perhaps you really just need someone to ride him and the money is a bonus. In that case, if the 'right' person comes along it would be a shame to lose them because you felt that they should, on principle, pay a certain percentage of the cost.

[Booboostoo]

If you can't find someone then by default you are being unreasonable. It's a supply and demand issue, not a justice issue. If people cannot afford what you are asking for, they just won't come forwards.

Have you tried any Unis and colleges near you? Students usually have to leave their own horses behind or sell them altogether, so you might get a competent rider who can't afford a horse full time.

[SilverSky]

What wise said.

Depends what is more important. The right person or the right price. I'm not saying give him away but you may need to compromise. £10 a day seems the going rate for a lot of share arrangements.

[Equimum]

Thanks for your advice. We're asking £7 p/w more than local Schools charge for 1hr hack, (which is about £10 per ride if ridden four times) and in the one instance where the person seemed capable of riding our horse we did offer to reduce cost by over a third, which have been cheaper than most local DIY shares, but she was only willing to offer yard duties, despite us advertising him as being on part livery. Cost is not our main priority but we are reluctant to offer him for free.

Most people have unfortunately been local riding school clients wanting to ride more for less money. Unfortunately, most are very inexperienced and greatly over-rate their ability. One had only had five lessons and never hacked but insisted she was more than capable of hacking a fit 17hh competition horse out through open countryside! (he is advertised as not suitable for novices/beginners).

So sorry if I over-emphasised financial issue before. It's a more general problem we're having with finding a competent rider who wil pay even £7 per ride!

P.s we haven't advertised at local universities as we are based a 30 minute drive from the nearest, but good idea otherwise. Thanks

[SilverSky]

There are quite a few websites:

Horsetoshare
Equine adverts
Preloved

How about your local riding club websites/fb pages? In fact you'll prob attract the right kind of rider. Do you know any freelance instructors in your area? Speak to them about your horse. They may know of someone who finds themselves without a horse for whatever reason.

Advertise at competition venues in your area.

Scour the wanted adverts.

You will find someone but it may take sometime.

I'm putting my horse on loan and I've been specific about a few things and as always there are enquiries which blatantly have either ignored or not read the ad.

[Alameda]

But if you desperately need help you could end up paying a freelance groom to care/exercise when you can't, so any contribution they can offer is a bonus.

There must be something between 'free' and what you are asking?

[TheQueenOfDiamonds]

The going rate around here for part loan/share seems to be around £10 per day.

[TheQueenOfDiamonds]

And unfortunately, You have to expect to get a few idiots calling/expecting a free ride. The requests i've had in the past have been ridiculous.

[SilverSky]

Joy riders are a pain!

[Equimum]

Thanks for all your feedback. Yes, am now realising what people mean by joyriders and time wasters! We realise that thee iss something iss between free and what we want, but the point was that the only suitable person was unable to contribute financially at all.

Fortunately, however, someone who is well known to the yard popped in today when we were around asking if anyone was looking for a sharer. She tried our horse and seems really keen. She has offered a sum only £5 p/w less than we were asking and has offered to tack clean for us. She's going to hack him in the weekend if all goes well will take him on from the beginning of July. Keeping fingers crossed now that this'd all works out!

[SilverSky]

Great news. Hope you are having a contract.

[horseylady]

Mine pays £10 per ride ( she rides twice a week) and that's fine. She looks after my horse that day. I have no contract as I'm not worried if she comes or doesn't come!!

[Alameda]

good luck equimum

I don't have a contract but both sharers (one for each, not all sharing one overworked beast!) were very well known locally - I didn't realise what a good deal they were getting, think they pay about £30 or £50 a month or something but we have no real livery costs, they can ride when they want (although one is leaving soon and won't replace her as it seems a bit headachey)

am just thrilled every time they clean the tack plus they have to put up with me and am not the most organised person in the world

[ExitPursuedByABear]

I am never sure with this - it depends whether you are looking for financial assistance or someone to exercise your horse.