What should I do?

[clashfan83]

I need your help people :S

I started riding Hilly about March/April last year. It was a really good agreement and suited me and her owner - I got to ride for free a couple of times a week in exhange for stable chores and it helped her owner out saving her livery money.It also worked well as I work shifts and can't do set days each week.

Hilly was at quite a nice yard with individual turnout, floodlit school and the usual basic facilities. Then she moved Hilly in November to basically just a field with stables which she shares with a girl who also moved her two horses from the original yard.

I've only been up a handful of times since they moved, firstly because I was very busy in my personal/work life for a while and secondly because now she's moved I don't feel like going up there much

I really hope I don't sound ungrateful because I’ve been getting riding for free, which has been fantastic but I don't like the new place and I'm not enjoying it. I've done my innings of mucking out for nothing and goodness knows what else and I'm at the stage in my life where I want to ride and progress. I didn't mind when I had a school to ride in but at the moment I can't ride at all - my return is getting to lunge her in a boggy corner of a field. There is no school and her owner doesn’t want to leave her tack there - fair enough, I understand this completely as I had my own tack stolen years ago. She mentioned possibly buying a cheap saddle to leave there at some point, but I have no idea when this will be and the weather is not helping in making it all very unappealing!

I’m thinking that I might just try and find a decent riding school and work towards my Stage 3, but I will miss Hilly! I'm also not sure what to tell her owner and don't want to let her down

What do you all think?? Double choc chip cookies to those who read this all!

[Cancara]

What are the chances of finding another free riding arrangement to suit you better? I know they are harder to come by in some places than others...

[ROWEY!]

It does sound like you've got the bum end of the deal in this move, and personally I'd say that no matter how much you like Hilly, it just probably isn't worth it for you as you're still doing jobs for her but are getting nothing in return which wasn't what you agreed on.

[Pie_x]

Go with your instincts. I know you love Hilly but it doesn't sound like you are thoroughly enjoying the deal and not getting a lot out of it! If you can bare to part with her then I would go with the progression at a good riding stables. Otherwise you are holding yourself back, unless the owner wants to move Hilly again! x

[Niatross]

i am really sorry if i missed something but how come you can only ride hilly? i thought you had tilly too?

back to your actual question.... if you spoke to the owner is there a solution that would make you happier? ie she actually gets the cheaper saddle to leave there? if you don't feel like you are getting enough out of it then you might want to look elsewhere.

[clashfan83]

Thanks for the replies.

Cancara - probably not high. The area is not overly horsey unless you travel a bit further out, I don't really wan to do a huge journey every time.

Rowey, your reply made me realise actually you are right. I was feeling a bit guilty and like I had some kind of responsibilty, but really it has to work both ways!
Pie, I think you're right and Nia, I only ride Hilly the other bit in my sig says Jilly - my name is Jill

I'm off on holiday this Sunday so I think I'll speak to her owner when I get back and explain that it's not really working for me. I will miss Hilly but I can't let it hold me back.

Then I will look for a riding school and/or part loan - exciting!

[Jill]

I think that is the best option. Things change and something that worked for a while doesn't always work for ever. If you are hoping to do your stage 3 you need to be riding as much as you can - different horses, too, if possible - and you must try not to feel guilty. I'm sure Hilly's owner will find somebody else to help and I am sure she will understand.

[Niatross]

sorry i thought you had two horses that looked really similar and had similar names, thought there was a post on it ages ago. *embarassed*

i think that is the best thing, esp if you now feel excited at the prospect