To think this ad on Facebook is quite funny or at least honest

[Snailinthebathroom]

Posted on a "for loan/share page" I'm in. So far 22 comments, along lines of "sort your attitude out, wouldn't let you within 4000 miles of mine".

I thought it was quite funny, or at least honest, and no different to the many horse for sale ads that say "please don't contact me if you have only had two lessons or want to loan etc etc"

Had my own for years and also then shared/loaned in all sorts of situations for over a decade and had some fantastic opportunities that I've always been immensely grateful for but I've definitely seen some owners that take the mickey (as I'm sure some sharers do too of course). I spoke to one for example who was hoping I could do the whole yard of six each time I was up (mucking out boxes, change rugs and turn out, mix up six feeds, soak six haynets) plus pay £120 per month in exchange for riding one of her horses once or twice a week. Also one who contacted me to say their horse was a rearer and they'd not ridden it for two years so I could ride it for free but once I'd got it going it would be £150 a month. Another wanted £800pm for two days a week on a novice/elementary level horse! In amongst these as I say there have been some fantastic horses and owners that became friends with arrangements lasting years and one ongoing at the moment. So I do sympathise with this ad!

"Please read full advert BEFORE contacting me.

I am looking to part loan a horse or pony to stay where it is. I'm 21 years old, 5ft 1 and 8.5 stone with my own transport and 11 years riding experience.

While I am happy to bring your horse or pony on and have a good time on it. I am not looking to do this for you to decide you're selling it to make a mint on it.

If you have a heard of horses, that's great. I don't mind doing for the horse I'll be riding but I'm not going to be chuffed spending hours poo picking for the ones that can't be ridden / not the one I'm loaning and I won't do it! I do understand emergencies do happen and I will help where I can if these situations arise.
Holiday care can be arranged at a reasonable rate.

Also, if you have teenagers/ kids/grandkids that's fine too and while I am studying to be a primary school teacher I am not looking to be a babysitter or a riding instructor for them. My insurance doesn't cover this and I don't want to be responsible.

If you have a horse that you need riding I will want to see you on it before I ride and if you darent get on it yourself - I won't be getting on it either. Dancing with death is not on my bucket list. I've ridden all sorts of horses and ponies I'm not 'fresh from the riding school'.

Genuine enquires only please. I apologise for my possibly abrupt advert. I'm a chatty, bubbly person that's sick of being messed about!
Photos and videos can be sent upon request. Please don't hesitate to pm me with any questions/potential horses"

[Snailinthebathroom]

Sorry - my message was so long and convoluted it's not clear where the Facebook post starts, obviously it's the bit in the speech makes

[Lilybetsey]

I saw that, I thought it was funny ! And honest. But possibly not the most endearing 🤣

[FanFckingTastic]

I'm not sure that it's funny tbh, although I completely get why you've written it! It particularly gets my goat when people advertise their horses for loan but it's clear that they are just looking for someone to actually do the work of educating them or riding something that's potentially dangerous whilst paying large sums for the privilege!!

If you are seriously looking for a horse to loan however I wouldn't word your advert in that way. It does come across as antagonistic and also I can't figure out from the ad what you actually want - what size horse are you looking for, what disciplines do you want to be able to do etc etc.

Good luck with finding something!

[steppemum]

I think from the OP that you are not the one posting this, that it is something you have seen?

I agree with you that it is honest and witty, but if i had a horse, not sure if I would want to work with this person or not!

I do wonder if the people responding ar ethe ones who push their luck and try and get someone else to do the dirty work for them.

[Coffeecak3]

@FanFckingTastic it's not the OP's ad.

My dil paid to use a field and stable nearby for her horse.
She got a lower rate in return for 'helping out' when the owner was away.
The owner was away a lot. My dil did most of the work including also looking after other animals.
On her return the owner would pick fault with dil's work
Owner was a nasty cf and I was so pleased when dil found a much nicer place to keep her horse.

[FanFckingTastic]

Ahhh ok - I thought it was the OP's ad! My other points still stand - some owners can be totally cheeky I can see why it's been written, but if the person that's written it actually wants a horse to loan then I would suggest that a differently worded ad would get better results.

[Snailinthebathroom]

Sorry for confusion - not my ad, I just saw it on a Facebook group and was surprised by all the vitriol! It made me laugh anyway and normally when someone posts something similar from the selling angle everyone writes "great honest ad" or whatever. This one had loads of backlash!

I agree that I personally wouldn't word it that way, but I was surprised at the reaction!

[MyBeloved]

I saw this ad as well, but didn't comment.

I understand the frustrations outlined by the poster, but doubt she will get many positive responses.

She comes across as difficult and inflexible amd sharing a horse should be about trust, mutual respect and flexibility.

[Smallsteps88]

What a great ad! The only people who would have a problem with that is pisstakers who hoped to take advantage.

[backinthebox]

I wouldn’t touch her with a barge pole. Her advert is not witty or amusing, and seems more focussed on what she doesn’t want than what she can bring to a share relationship. Fair play to her for her honesty, but to me her opening gambit looks as though she already has a chip she’s getting ready for her shoulder. I’ve had sharers before (always late teens/early 20s) who have been up front, and have moaned and bitched about me when I’ve had to ask them to either start putting in some of the effort it takes to keep a horse as I am not there to both pay for their riding hobby and to do all the legwork so they can have a bit of fun, or to have a couple of riding lessons as I was concerned at things I saw them doing on my horses which suggested they were not as good as they thought they were. I have helpers now in their 40s, and we work together like a little horsey commune, all pulling together. A younger rider would have to really have some special quality for me to allow them near my horses, and starting off by slagging off other owners who have let her ride is not a great start.

[backinthebox]

I should add I have never asked my helpers for a penny, I set out the deal at the start - I need someone to look after my 3 horses as they would their own (all stable and yard duties) for approximately 8 days a month while I am working. In exchange for this they can ride whenever they want (I mark out of bounds days in the diary well in advance, they are things like me competing my horse but my kids’ horses would be available then, or the kids doing pony club or something, which leaves my horse free.) I’ve got 3 brilliant helpers who share the duties between them. We do pub rides together, I’ve taken them competing and hunting, I’ve given them ridden training for free. All at a level that suits their ambition. I rarely worry about being away at work because they are knowledgeable and trustworthy. You get the respect you earn - I have to earn it as an owner. The young lady writing the ad has to earn it as a rider/sharer. I don’t think she’s achieving that with her ad.

[MyBeloved]

backinthebox
You sound like someone who is very fair to their sharers! Gold dust :)
As you say, it is a partnership, with the horse's needs and wellbeing at the heart of it.