[Stir fried Giblets]

I rode for two years 12-14 years but due to financial reasons I couldn't continue lessons. I'm now 18 and have the opportunity to horse share, two days a week for £20, jobs include mucking out, riding, feeding, poo picking in a communal field, etc. Although I haven't properly ridden for 4 years I did two weeks work experience last year at two different stables. I guess you have to start somewhere.

I would really appreciate anyone's knowledge/suggestions/opinions on horse-sharing and this one in particular. Here are some posts the girl put on her FB (I didn't see these until after I met the horse):

"Writing a realistic advert is so hard! Right... He's 17.2hh (or thereabouts), rising 6, shire x hackney. Does a bit of everything, good to hack alone or in company, roads or fields, currently schooling really well, a bit green over jumps but doesn't refuse, I'm just a wimp. We'll be trying cross country soon which I'm sure he'll love. Chance to compete if wanted. Good to groom, bath, lead, lunge, everything really. He's a lovely horse, I'm biased but he is!"

Then this was after the advert was posted inc a conversation in the box below it:

"To all potential sharers, my horse has horrible stable manners, about 64% good in traffic, scared of heights and is slowly turning into a metal detector. However, he's not lame or abscessy so all's good"

Friend: this mite be mw bein really stupid but r u really thinkin of sharin??? xxx

Owner: not the best way to promote him is it?
I don't know really, I'm thinking about putting him on full livery once a week or something. I'd get jealous if he liked the sharer better than me!

Friend: lol! i was just confused coz i thought it was a bad advert for him! y u puttin him on livery once a week? coz of work???? x

Owner: I'll definatly take 'good to hack in traffic' out of the advert, he's not a fan of bridges apparently I'm out the house from 7 till 7/8ish with work and I don't get anything done after I've seen to him. I'll probably just put him on f/l every now and then when I need to do something.

I really want to give it a try but I don't want to cloud my judgment due to excitement. When I went to see him he caught well, spooked a bit going through a specific gate (just snorting, and ears back) and the same thing happened to a plastic bag later. He rides really well though. I know all horses have some vices but because he's such a big horse I feel like I'm blowing these out of proportion. He has been known to kick the stable door when he runs out of food. Is this really really bad?

[Cressida]

I'm sure with your passion, attention and love he will get over whatever issues he has (I know horses who have overcome problems with loving owners) but she might get jealous and take away the sharing which may be difficult for you.

I don't know enough about horses and if you are sharing and wanting to learn then an emotionally and socially stable horse is best for you but you're right you have to start somewhere. Try a few sessions with the horse and if there is a bond then continue otherwise keep looking about for another.

all the best.

[itsmehello]

I misread this for 'house sharing' ...

[Stir fried Giblets]

(Original post by itsmehello)
I misread this for 'house sharing' ...

Oops, sorry!

[Stir fried Giblets]

(Original post by Cressida)
I'm sure with your passion, attention and love he will get over whatever issues he has (I know horses who have overcome problems with loving owners) but she might get jealous and take away the sharing which may be difficult for you.

I don't know enough about horses and if you are sharing and wanting to learn then an emotionally and socially stable horse is best for you but you're right you have to start somewhere. Try a few sessions with the horse and if there is a bond then continue otherwise keep looking about for another.

all the best.

Thanks very much.

Apparently because he's a shire cross he's not the brightest crayon in the box, or so I have been told by the woman who let me know about this horse sharing chance. She's been riding for a very long time and seems to know her stuff. She said a more docile, I can't really explain it without sounding mean but, stupid horse is better for a beginner (which is what he is). I don't intend for this to be a long term share as I am going to university in October (potentially!) but I would like to use the summer holidays brushing up on horse-riding and horse care.

[Monkey9]

(Original post by Stir fried Giblets)
I rode for two years 12-14 years but due to financial reasons I couldn't continue lessons. I'm now 18 and have the opportunity to horse share, two days a week for £20, jobs include mucking out, riding, feeding, poo picking in a communal field, etc. Although I haven't properly ridden for 4 years I did two weeks work experience last year at two different stables. I guess you have to start somewhere.

I would really appreciate anyone's knowledge/suggestions/opinions on horse-sharing and this one in particular. Here are some posts the girl put on her FB (I didn't see these until after I met the horse):

"Writing a realistic advert is so hard! Right... He's 17.2hh (or thereabouts), rising 6, shire x hackney. Does a bit of everything, good to hack alone or in company, roads or fields, currently schooling really well, a bit green over jumps but doesn't refuse, I'm just a wimp. We'll be trying cross country soon which I'm sure he'll love. Chance to compete if wanted. Good to groom, bath, lead, lunge, everything really. He's a lovely horse, I'm biased but he is!"

Then this was after the advert was posted inc a conversation in the box below it:

"To all potential sharers, my horse has horrible stable manners, about 64% good in traffic, scared of heights and is slowly turning into a metal detector. However, he's not lame or abscessy so all's good"

Friend: this mite be mw bein really stupid but r u really thinkin of sharin??? xxx

Owner: not the best way to promote him is it?
I don't know really, I'm thinking about putting him on full livery once a week or something. I'd get jealous if he liked the sharer better than me!

Friend: lol! i was just confused coz i thought it was a bad advert for him! y u puttin him on livery once a week? coz of work???? x

Owner: I'll definatly take 'good to hack in traffic' out of the advert, he's not a fan of bridges apparently I'm out the house from 7 till 7/8ish with work and I don't get anything done after I've seen to him. I'll probably just put him on f/l every now and then when I need to do something.

I really want to give it a try but I don't want to cloud my judgment due to excitement. When I went to see him he caught well, spooked a bit going through a specific gate (just snorting, and ears back) and the same thing happened to a plastic bag later. He rides really well though. I know all horses have some vices but because he's such a big horse I feel like I'm blowing these out of proportion. He has been known to kick the stable door when he runs out of food. Is this really really bad?

Sounds like the owner hasn't really decided whether she wants a sharer or is just going to put the horse on full livery?

All horses have their quirks, if you liked him and felt safe then I would go ahead, don't let something you've seen on facebook cloud your decision. Just make sure the owner is serious about the arrangement.

[F Ellen]

Try it, the good thing about sharing is that if it doesn't work out you can quit.