Loan, Share, do nothing? confused

[gemma1309]

Hi all wondering if anyone can help me make my mind up what to do? As you all know I have 2 beloved ponies who I love to bits, will never sell ever and have been along the loan path before, however I am pregnant, not due until September and at a bit of a loss as to what to do with my ponies. I am happy that I am pregnant and also happy that when I am fit to do nothing it will be summer (horses will be out-no mucking out etc) but what is worrying me is the exercising them? Would it be fairer to loan or share or just get someone in to exercise them?
The last time I was pregnant I only had J and was pregnant for winter months which was hard so I got someone to look after him and ride him initially for first few months full loan (without having to pay anything, dad paid for all costs thankfully) then once ryan was 6 months old it was easy as they still came and helped out 3 days a week so I could have time at home. unfortunately although still excellent friends she has her own horse now.

I have someone to exercise and look after Sasha for 6 months on our yard and as she is only interested in hacking due to a recent injury it is ideal as it won't interfere with anything I am aiming towards with Sash which i was hoping to be this year but will have to wait off another year now...boo hoo. Which is brill.

The problem is Justin he is almost 18 now and Is full of life. I can only ride him for so long aiming for 6 months (managed about 71/2 months last time) but what to do with him rest of time? It will be 4 months off in the summer and would still be getting lunged but as he has bone spavins and has always been fit I am worrying he will stiffen up,lose his sanity with boredom and become fat which I don't want. I can't find anyone on our yard to do it as so tied up with own horses and he not a novice ride due to him being very excitable and he is a bit of aloon jumping and hacking not unsafe just sharp. I don't know what to do for best as he can't be moved away from Sasha and I would not want him moving yards to go on full loan no way! (I must note that he will be on full livery 2 days a week once had baby.)

Do I

Give him a big Holiday with just lungeing? (one of my close friends can take him out hacking every couple of weeks when she can manage)

Get a sharer

Advertise for someone to exercise him

Problem is I am fussy I had a very hard time getting sharer in last time with all sorts of idiots pretending they were something they clearly are not Does no-one understand experienced riders only and no young kids?

I just want someone to hack out and school with chance to take him out and show him, but no jumping other than at home occasionaly, not saying no to teenagers as long as sensible, must stay at current yard with all facilities no livery costs involved but to help towards shoes, feed costs around £10/£15 a week would be sufficient. If this is answer to most then what will I say in my advert not to get all the numpties I did last time. help anyone? Loads of decisons and i know i am rambling as always but I could really do with some advice.

I would be initially looking at someone to help for 6 months at least 5 days a week then if happy set up to arrange it round me riding too so don't need to give it up entirely but feel it does not seem fair lol Ah I hate being a grown up!!

[Mungo Madness]

It's sounds like getting a sharer would be good as it would be helpful once you've had the baby, having some days off not to worry.

With regards to the experienced rider part, that is such a vague term. It varies so much between people and is such a matter of opinion that one persons experienced is another persons novice. If you need to write a really long ad, be completely honest, say exactly what he does. In reality I wouldn't say that I am an experienced rider, more intermediate, but in my ads I put experienced and answered to experienced ads because actually, when I was looking for a share horse, I never rode a horse that I couldn't handle at all. And I never had anyone flat out tell me no. It's not just riding ability because people improve, its confidence, outlook on things etc.

I think your best bet would be to put up an advert in a loaning/sharing section saying exactly your situation and exactly what you want.

[gemma1309]

Thanks for your opinion. I know it is such a vague term experienced rider I realise that but the people that phoned up last time or came to see him barely sat on a horse and it was disheartening, he is a really good lad but he is just so excitable and where they could handle him in arena they would have had no chance on a hack. I am prepared to give anyone a chance as long as I feel they would not be frightening themselves or damaging all my work I have put in over the years. I just want someone who can school to the level he is used to and overall have fun with him. Thanks for your advice I will put up a really long advert in local tack stores just like you suggested. Its hard when it comes to ads in paper as only get 200 words or thereabouts and I struggle to abbreviate lol
Do you thiink I am better waiting until Spring before I advertise or do it now?

[Vodkagirly]

I would start looking now, as you never know when the right person will be looking. I wouldn't worry about putting short ads in, people who are interested will call for more info. Good luck

[CityLights]

i would try get somone to share him that way he is stil happy and doing stuff, your not in any hurry to find sharers for them so just spend a long time making sure you pick the right person im sure it will be far better for him to do a little bit of work then do nothing all summer especially if he is used to do some work