Sharing horses: dos and donts

Do…

Be aware that sharing with a friend or close acquaintance may backfire. “It can be embarrassing if that person turns out to be not quite right,” warns long-time sharer Sue Wright.
Explore all possibilities. An ad in H&H or on a site such as www.horsesharesuk.co.uk will reach a wide audience if you are having no luck nearer home.
Put the rules in writing. For guidelines, visit www.bhs.org.uk or try Practical Horse Law by Brenda Gilligan. Petplan’s Equine Horse Handbook states: “If there’s no written agreement, then there’s no agreement.”
Make your horse’s welfare your priority. Sharer Katie Bright explains: “The owner must put the animal first, even if that means upsetting someone.”
Communicate regularly — and tackle problems sooner rather than later.

Overestimate your riding ability when looking for a share in a horse. Being overhorsed can be at best depressing — at worst, it is downright dangerous.
Lie. If you are looking for a sharer be honest about your horse’s bad habits and foibles as well as his star qualities.
Meddle. A sharer is entitled to quiet enjoyment of your horse, so resist being possessive, springing too many unannounced visits or spying on your sharer through other yard members.
Give up too soon. A trial period for both sides will allow any wobbles to settle down.
Steal the limelight. It’s not fair for you to be competing all the time while your sharer does the dirty work. As Claire Clancy says: “Kate and I both school Louis, so it seems fair to share the competing, too.”