Free rides for friends?

[Melaniefhappy]

Hi- just found this part of Mumsnet- sorry, didn't know it existed! Glad to find you.

Quick question for mooting:

I have a pony which costs me about 200 pounds a month to keep (insurance, shoeing, feed etc) and I keep him at home. I have a friend who I let ride twice a month and she offers to clean the tack or to muck out which is lovely, but I can manage this-and by the time she arrives I have usually done all the work! It is more the financial side I'd prefer help with..as my insurance and shoeing have both risen by 10 pounds a month each and the cost of keeping him is mounting (excuse pun!)..

Would it be very unreasonable of me to ask her to pay a small contribution say five pounds per hack to be used for shoeing etc Or do you think this incredibly mean of me? As the weather is getting better I think she is hoping to ride once a week and mainly at the weekend.


I am saying this after spending another 2 hours poo picking and reflecting that actually my friend is getting a pretty fantastic deal all round- all the fun and absolutely no cost... there again, from someone else's perspective she could be seen to be helping me out...as all exercise is good for him...

However, she does have a great job, so it is not like allowing a teenager to ride for free?

Let me know if I am being really mean! I don't wish to offend her, but I don't want to feel a bit well...used..either! I'm sure she'd hate me to feel this way but think she might stop riding in a bit of an offended huff if I mentioned contributing....

Thanks

[Butkin]

Difficult one and a subject that has come up before on here. I let a capable lady in our village ride my horse for free. She has all the fun without the expense/hassle and I get a horse that is fitter than if I was struggling to just ride him at weekends - particularly in the Winter when I wanted to hunt him.

I don't charge but she does offer to do things like bringing them in (4) at night if necessary and checking them in the field in the Summer if we're away.

I think if you were letting a teenager ride then probably hard to charge but for an adult you could suggest some sort of payment or at least she'd take on some responsibilty for his welfare - while you are on holiday?

[Pixel]

A friend of ours sometimes rides and we don't charge her, but she did look after all three beasties when we went on holiday. She is a person we know we can trust and can ask for help if we needto which is very useful if you aren't on a big yard.

[elastamum]

I have a friend who rides my horse more than I do atm, and competes her as well for free. but she also does my horse when I am away and gets her in when I am working. I feel really lucky to have her involved

[LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse]

Personally I'd be thrilled to have mine exercised for free, someone has just offered and I was actually wondering whether I should pay them when I saw your thread. Hahaha!

You could ask if she is interested in part loan or share arrangement I suppose? She might ride and do more if she is paying for it?

[Melaniefhappy]

Hi

Thanks very much all- what a great idea, asking her to look after him and his companion - we don't often get the chance to go away but we are planning to for the first time in four years this year and this would be one big headache less!

Thanks again.
x

[JRsandCoffee]

Lovethepinkbits........Don't suppose you're in Wiltshire......

Sensetive BHS Stage 4 with years of experience seeking horse/ big pony to indulge schooling love with....No longer insured as I've stopped with the horsey game for work so not seeking any money for it but equally I'm on the end of a laminitic who is about to cost me lots of money in x-rays to see exaclty where we are so can't contribute anything at the mo! Sighs, any takers??

[LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse]

Sadly am in Suffolk. Well not that sad about it, there must be worse places to live? And better.

Would have been more than up for it if geography was on our side, hope you find something and hope your laminitic will be ok. Good luck x

[Merlotmonster]

Wouldnt charge but would probably expect her to muck out etc on the days she rides and help out occasionnally on other days.???

[allgonebellyup]

i have a friend who shares my mare, she is brilliant and mucks out for me 3 times a week, rides her once a week and pays me £100 a month for the privilege! She also buys bits and bobs for horse too.
You need a friend like that!!