What is Horse Sharing?
Understanding Horse Share Arrangements
The agreement can be formal or informal, verbal or a written contract. The riding may be in exchange for payment or for help with the horses’ care. Sharing has become increasingly common in recent years and advertisements often appear alongside those for horses for loan and sale.
Why Would Owners Want a Sharer?
As stated sharing can benefit a horse owner by providing something they find themselves short of; many horse owners can find themselves struggling for cash or for time. Horses are an expensive undertaking, and a change of circumstances can sometimes mean that to keep their much loved pet they must find a way of spreading the cost- a financial contribution from a sharer can make a big difference. Time can also be an issue, as keeping a horse fit whilst holding down a full time job and keeping up with all the stable duties is often difficult. It can really help to have the horse worked a couple of times a week, particularly if it is by someone who is also happy to get involved with the chores.
Other reasons why an owner may look for a sharer include; they have become too heavy for a horse they do not want to give up, they are making a talented horse available specifically for competing because they do not enjoy that aspect themselves, or because they need a rider to keep an older horse ‘ticking over’ whilst they work another, second horse. They may also consider a sharer if they are having trouble riding a young or difficult horse, though in such cases an owner will usually outline their problems and ask for an experienced rider, and there is unlikely to be any financial contribution to pay.
Horse Sharing- Also Known as...
Horse sharing also goes under a variety of other names, including part loan, half loan and part lease. The terminology used tends to vary by country or region. The arrangement can also be advertised as ‘work for rides.’
Common Features of Horse Sharing
If the advertisement is vague there are other clues to spotting a horse share arrangement. Often the horse offered for riding will still also be ridden by the current owner. The horse usually stays on the same yard and is not able to be moved to a new place by the person asked to get involved. The horse is frequently made available for specified amounts of time e.g. two evenings, one weekend day, four evenings a week etc. The owner often also makes it clear what they are looking for in exchange stating 'weekly contribution required' or 'available to ride in exchange for stable duties'.
Is it For me?
Horse sharing may suit you if you are confident handling and caring for horses, a competent rider, and looking for a step up from the riding school. It is worth considering all the potential issues before starting to seriously search for a share. See Pros and cons of horse sharing- for the sharer.
Horse Sharing is Quite Common
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