For the last two and a half years I have had two different sharers for Dpony, one after the other. This came about after a mc and illness then subsequent pregnancy when I couldn't ride and has worked well in terms of Dpony being ridden now I have a little one and am back at work full time (out of the house 11 hours a day).
Dpony is VERY low maintenance, lives out on fresh air all year round. My friend and I share duties so I do not have to go up every day but poor Dpony is being wasted in the field and come spring will need riding more and I simply can't do it.
My dilemma is that I am not sure that I want her to be part loaned again, but also can't bear the thought of putting her on full loan (I can still ride 2 times a week).
During the last two years, she developed problems loading, I have since had training with an IH lady and this has improved but I don't want anyone trying to travel her places until I am happy that they are good drivers and willing to work in that same way I do. I got a lift from the sharers she developed the problem with in the summer and realized why she has become difficult, the driving was awful! They have had problems with every pony they have had and I am not surprised. Dpony went backwards again after that and I have worked hard to put it right again. (They are lovely people and we are still in touch but the parents are well off novices - the type to throw money but not time at an issue) The second set of parents were also novices but they did work with me, the girl progressed quickly and moved on. However, both sets of sharers for various reasons expected to go away/not ride for weeks over the summer then immediately go to camp/do big competitions, then were annoyed when Dpony wasn't quite fit enough/was out of practice with the rider. Both times I struggled to keep DPony's fitness up to a reasonable level so at least she wasn't in danger of injury but it was the expectation that it was totally acceptable to do this is what irked me - I did try to explain.
Having had Dpony to myself for a couple of months, I am really enjoying not finding my saddle dirty with no cover on, finding my headcollar where it should be, etc etc. I know all of these things are small and with teenage or young riders (Pony is 13hh) to be expected to some degree - beggars can't be choosers and all that - but these combined with the experience and realisation of what has happened over the last two years it has really put me off.
I know I need to work something out and quickly, I just don't know what to do. I also don't want to upset the old sharers (who will see the ad) by wording an advert against novice parents.
Its making me really stressed.
Does anyone have any ideas?!