I have been riding a lovely sports horse for 2 years but due to owner's circumstances this has ended. Good fun but was quite a commitment in terms of time (almost 1hr round trip in travel due to small country roads/villages) and due to a "minimum 3+hr time slot" to travel, catch/clean horse, ride, clean tack etc. it could be difficult for me to change timings (I have other commitments although am retired) if it was pouring with rain (we all know how wet/stormy it has been!) so either I rode regardless of inclement weather, or not ride at all (either fine with owner but I was paying quite a lot ... so if I didn't ride ...)
Possibly a daft question but I'm wondering if you think I could find a horse owner who would simply be pleased to have a very reliable, careful and competent rider (+ help look after horse) on a more adhoc basis rather than the more formal share situation where a set financial arrangement expected/set days and duties are rigidly in place? For example, agreeing to a couple of times to ride/help worked out mutually each week prior, doing a bit more if owner on hols, or none if I am away etc. The majority of the adverts around Gloucestershire appear to have considerable "expectations".
Please don't interpret this as "wanting something for nothing" or not willing to work; I would regularly look after the horse I mention above on a daily basis when the owner was often away despite it being quite an undertaking and a friend thought I should be paid rather than pay!! Similarly, I used to let a competent rider occasionally exercise my horse for free years ago when there was not all this "sharing" in place. Am interested to know thoughts from horse owners, thank you.
Possibly a daft question but I'm wondering if you think I could find a horse owner who would simply be pleased to have a very reliable, careful and competent rider (+ help look after horse) on a more adhoc basis rather than the more formal share situation where a set financial arrangement expected/set days and duties are rigidly in place? For example, agreeing to a couple of times to ride/help worked out mutually each week prior, doing a bit more if owner on hols, or none if I am away etc. The majority of the adverts around Gloucestershire appear to have considerable "expectations".
Please don't interpret this as "wanting something for nothing" or not willing to work; I would regularly look after the horse I mention above on a daily basis when the owner was often away despite it being quite an undertaking and a friend thought I should be paid rather than pay!! Similarly, I used to let a competent rider occasionally exercise my horse for free years ago when there was not all this "sharing" in place. Am interested to know thoughts from horse owners, thank you.
