Horsey money saving hints? (merged)

orlao

KatP wrote: »

Orlao - I'm not trying to pick a fight or critisise your way of doing things, most of my comments are aimed as advice/food for thought for Katy.



Anyway, sorry that was a bit of a long one.

I don't really disagree with what you say, I just think there is a huge breadth of types of agreement, types of horse and types of owner/sharer and the situations vary, no one size fits all and payment is not always appropriate. Some owners need to recognise that they can get a very good deal with a sharer, although I appreciate that some sharers are nightmares!

Oh well I should get off this thread, and stay away from HHO too, it is just making me more dissatisfied, as if I wasn't enough already. :o

No, don't go;) it's interesting to hear both sides!

I do think that "terminology" is what causes confusion and why very clear constant communication between owner and sharer is vital.

One of the reasons I have my own horses is that I wouldn't like to be in some of situations that you have been (and I've seen them happen to others). I have sharers rather than loaners so those feelings of resentment shouldn't happen. If they want to get more involved they are welcome to and as a result would have more freedom as I trusted them more over time.

As far as the money is concerned, when I was deciding what to charge I worked out what the horse cost me over an average month not including insurance or routine vet bills and ok, his shoes are £120 a time because he is slightly arthritic but as a balance to that he is absolutely reliable but still very forward going - he can be ridden by a complete novice who just hangs on and they will stay safe or with a decent rider he is a blast to ride, keeps up with warmbloods and arabs - in fact has been known to pass them at speed, light off the leg and very well schooled, he is also driven and suitable for a novice to drive....his livery is £125 a month and about £20 a month for supplements because of his age so £20 a week seemed like an absolute bargain to me.In fact a shared lesson at the local riding school is about that for 45 minutes with no interaction with the horses before or after.And as a sharer you haven't invested in the horse's purchase, let alone his tack, harness, trap, rugs etc,etc(I don't want to add up that total as I might faint in shock :rotfl::rotfl:)

For that £20 you can ride up to 4 times a week, there is no mucking out or stable duties but you also get to fuss and groom, if someone wants to have a lesson, that's fine too.....or if the weather is horrible you don't HAVE to do it!

If I am busy/ill/whatever I have friends that will and do help - some of them have been sharers (as I said I'm still friends with about 90% of my sharers) but I don't rely on a sharer as that isn't the relationship I have with them especially in the early days....

I appreciate what you're saying about advice to the OP, I'm just trying to show the other side of the coin and why some horse owners might seem "fussy":D and it's not all about control freaks who want to rob you!

Katie-Kat-Kins

Aw Orlao your horse sounds super, and you sound like a pretty understanding sharer! For no stable duties and four days riding where you can do pretty much what you want to within reason £20 isn't too bad, it is more that I wouldn't pay for the priviledge of doing the stuff the owner doesn't want to/can't be bothered to do, and from my experiences, and those of a few people I know that seems to be what a lot of people offer.

That riding school you mention is a bit pricey, we pay £21 for an hour with a BHSI in a floodlit indoor arena. We also get interaction with the horses. Everyone is expected to get their own horse out and put it away, although it should be tacked up and waiting for you. If you are willing and capable you are *allowed* to untack, brush off, make a fuss etc We can also hire the horses for any competitions that take place on site. And the horses are pretty good too, not all your average riding school nag, a few "projects" and a few working liveries to make things more interesting.

I've not been that unlucky really, the section D I rode was great experience, both for riding and looking after him, it saved me a load of money as I got a discount on my lessons as I was riding a livery, and I got to hack out once a week too. As I say it convinced me I could manage my own, and if I hadn't been made redundant I would have bought my own then.

It is just generally frustrating putting work into horses and not getting the benefit. I used to compete this little cob and I remember having a lesson on a saturday morning to prepare for a sunday dressage comp, got her going really forward and together, really responsive and was feeling positive about the test. Got on her on the sunday and she felt dead, found out that later on the saturday she had been riden by an adult beginner on the lead rein..... no wonder she was unresponsive..... nothing I could do, it was her job but frustrating all the same.

I have just started riding this new mare, quite promising, but very unfit and out of condition, as she has been pretty much turned away for nearly two years. She needs a grackle noseband, but they haven't got one so I have to either manage in a cavesson, or borrow a flash from a livery. She needs getting fit and she needs regular work to keep her supple as she tends to stiffen up if she's not worked, but I rode her yesterday and she felt rotten, instructor said she hadn't done any work since saturday. Would love to be able to ride her daily and help her build muscle and bring her on but I can't.

So frustrating, but it would be worse to get involved in a share and have it not work out. A friend had a situation where she was supposed to be sharing this young horse that the owner couldn't manage, she did loads with it to the extent that the owner barely saw the horse and everyone on the yard thought it was hers. She absolutely made the horse and then the owner tried to sell it from under her for more than double what she bought it for. This horse would have been unsaleable if my friend hadn't worked with it as it was bonkers, but there was nothing she could do. Eventually she managed to buy it but still.......

I'm too disillusioned with it all and so is DH to go through the hassle of finding suitable shares or loans so unless something lands in our lap we'll just carry on with lessons until we can buy.

I reckon what we pay for our lessons now would cover assisted DIY somewhere good or maybe even part livery so just need to make sure we have the money to pay for all the other stuff on top!!! Hopefully DH's income will become a bit steadier soon and we can go for it. I'm planning to do a spreadsheet of our expenses and work out what we have spare on my wages to see how far off affording it we are!!

rachiee

Have not come across many horse owners on here! Was just wondering if there are any out there and how many do you own etc etc x
:j

breezerockz

Hi
i only have one pony just now, she's a 16.3hh shire x tb, and is rising 17, can't believe i have owned her for 9 years this year.
she was a nutter, but now she is just a great fun lump.( has huge personality) although has injured s.ligament twice this year in field.
taught her loads of tricks.
did have a coloured youngster, but due to circumstances i sold her. loved her to bits. bought her on myself, and sold her to a fab home.
what do you do with your lot?
you must be kept busy.
x
want another, but not yet.

freddi_the_fish

hiya, we have 3, 2 cobs and a friesian x.

Rummer

Ooooh I am saving up for a friesian!

UKTigerlily

Used to have them but not anymore, the dog costs enough now!

LittleMissRolo

Im looking after one at the moment and have been for 2 years now

He's a gorgeous 16.2 bay, he's a real gent and safe as houses

No expenses spared on him though so couldn't share any money saving tips

Kimberley

I have some in statue form does that count?

orlao

Kimberley wrote: »

I have some in statue form does that count?

Yes:D at least they're MSE!

I have 2, a haflinger and a welsh section D ....not very MSE though:o