Don't rush into any agreement, even if horses to share seem few and far between in your area. You must choose carefully, ensure that you are compatible with both the horse and the owner, and be confident about what you have committed to.
Looking For a Share
Shares are frequently offered online, often alongside horses for sale adverts, and may be described as shares or part loans. They can also be found in local newspapers, horse magazine free classifieds, local free ad papers and on tack shop, stable or riding school notice boards. If you are not having much luck in your search for a share, you could try placing your own ad as 'Horse share wanted'. To avoid wasting your own time and that of others through unsuitable offers, include the following:
- State your age, height and weight
- State your experience in terms of years (care and riding- including any particular skills e.g. can lunge, will school)
- The times you are looking to be able to ride (e.g. 1 weekend day, 2 evenings)
- What you are ideally looking for (chance to hack, chance to school, chance to compete, require access to arena?) and if you will consider other opportunities
- If you are willing to pay a financial contribution or looking to work for rides
- Any preference as to the type of horse (e.g. no green horses, no ridden vices please)
- How mobile you are (own transport?)
- The area you are looking in (e.g. within 30 miles of Ashington)
Trying a Potential Share
When you find a potential share, don't travel out to the middle of nowhere alone. Always tell someone exactly where you are going and how long you will be. Ideally, take a companion for safety and to help you with their views of the situation offered. Dress to ride and get dirty in boots, yard gear, and with your hat. A body protector is a good idea when trying a new horse, even if you don’t normally wear one.
Approach as if you were looking to buy the horse- assess his appearance and attitude when you meet him. Ask about any quirks- e.g. can the horse be ridden with a whip- some will take the appearance of a whip as a signal to go fast immediately! Ideally see him caught, brought in, groomed and tacked up, then ridden by his owner. During this time examine:
- The horse's health- does he look well cared for? Is he sound?
- The equipment used- is the tack in good condition?
- The facilities- are the stables well maintained and somewhere you would be happy working? Are the fields securely fenced? If there is a school available is it in good condition?
If the horse looks unfit or is difficult for his owner, or you have already been put off by anything you have seen or heard, thank the owner for their time but state that you do not feel the horse is right for you. If all is well you can try him for yourself. Don't forget standard precautions such as checking the girth as you prepare to mount. Remember to use light touches with your leg or the reins initially, until you assess how sensitive the horse is. Try walk, trot and canter, but keep it short and ask during the ride if there is anything the horse may object to. During your interactions with the owner try to get an impression about whether you can work with them- do they seem friendly and easy going or overly bossy and controlling- and could you cope with that?
If all is well and you are comfortable with the owner, express your interest. If they are seeing several potential sharers ensure they have your contact details and ask when you will hear or you can call to find out. If they wish to go ahead with the share, discuss terms such as work expected or payment required per week.
Signed Agreements
Contracts are more commonplace these days, but sharers must treat them with caution. The problem is that many contracts are designed to protect the owner. They often declare that the owner is not responsible for any injury suffered by the sharer, that the horse is never partially nor wholly the sharer's property, that the owner can terminate the agreement at any time and similar facts.
However friendly the owner appears, if you are asked to sign a contract you must take it away first and examine it closely. Particularly if money is changing hands it must include an 'out' for you. You need this because it is possible that the horse may become permanently lame, that you could be injured or you could be unable to pay due to job loss or serious health problems. You could end up locked into a contract, legally owing for a horse you cannot ride. This is a worst case scenario but it illustrates why you must be careful. Ask that the contract states that immediate termination is possible if you or the horse become unfit for the purpose. Also look out for any additional responsibility being placed with you for vet fees or a higher charge than was verbally discussed being mentioned in the agreement. If possible get an expert to view the contract before you sign.
Overall take a share arrangement very seriously and ensure that you have made the choice for the right reasons. You must get on with the horse and feel safe in dealing with it. The owner must be someone you are comfortable with. Finally remember that you must also be adequately protected as you may not be covered by the owner's insurance- so rider insurance is a very wise, even essential, investment.
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