Riding participation: Advantages, costs and opportunities for riders and horse owners

What is a riding participation?

The term "riding participation" is used when a person other than the horse owner is granted the right to use the horse. This term describes a contractually regulated agreement. In everyday life, it also refers to an additional person who rides the horse.

Normally, this person takes over some of the costs incurred as well as tasks such as stable work and care of the horse. This reduces the financial and labor costs for the horse owner.

For the additional rider, horse sharing offers an inexpensive way to spend time with a horse. It can also be a good opportunity to find out whether buying your own horse is an option. As an additional rider, you can test whether sharing a ride or owning your own horse suits you better.

Advantages of a riding participation

A horse-share can bring many advantages for both parties. The owner receives reliable support in caring for and looking after the horse, can ideally exchange ideas with the rider and has someone who can step in during vacations.

The riding partner, on the other hand, has the opportunity to work regularly with a horse and build up a bond with it, even if they cannot afford a horse of their own. That sounds ideal at first. Now all that remains is to find the right partners.  

How do I find the right riding partner?

There are numerous ways to find a riding partner. Horse owners and riders can find each other on social media, forums and various online platforms. Personal contacts such as acquaintances and friends can also lead to horse-sharing.

For riders looking for a riding partner, it makes sense to visit horse stables in the area and make enquiries on the spot. This way, you can get a direct impression of the respective stables and better assess whether they are suitable for a riding partnership. 

A riding partner can usually be found quickly, but now the horse, owner and riding partner need to be compatible. It is important that no more than 1-3 people are responsible for each horse in order to avoid overloading the animal. If someone offers ten rides for a single horse, caution is advised. In such cases, something is going wrong.

It is essential to record the agreements in a contract. Who is allowed to work with the horse and when? Are rides allowed and who is responsible for the care of accessories such as saddles and the like? What are the limits, what is allowed? These points should be clearly regulated.

It is also important that the level of the horse matches the riding level of the rider. If in doubt, accompanying riding lessons should be considered

The question of insurance is also very important. An exclusion of liability for your own horse is not enough. If someone rides regularly and for a fee, appropriate insurance must be taken out to cover all parties involved.

Caution is advised if the horse owner needs the riding participation in order to be able to keep the horse at all. This is not a good starting point. A horse should be financially viable without a rider. Otherwise, the owner could try to take financial advantage of the horse owner

The subject of horse ownership is complex. It has to suit everyone involved - in terms of training methods, views and personality. Both sides should treat each other with respect and treat the equipment and the horse with care. Clear communication and compliance with obligations are crucial to avoid misunderstandings.

Tips for successful riding participation

• Likeability: Before signing the contract, make sure that the chemistry between horse and rider is right.
• Information: There are no stupid questions. As a rider, you should always ask immediately if anything is unclear. It is better to ask a question twice than to make a mistake when dealing with the horse. If you are unable to attend due to vacations or appointments, this should be communicated in good time so that a replacement can be organized. The horse owner should also regularly inform the rider of important details about the stable and the horse's health.
•  Riding style: If the rider and owner have a similar riding style, the horse does not have to get used to it all the time. What is the rider allowed to do with the horse? Riding times, lessons and participation in competitions - these points must be clearly defined. The wishes of the rider should match the ideas of the horse owner right from the start. The rules for training should also be the same. Clear agreements and honesty are crucial when looking for a horse or rider.
• Principles: Do your views on the treatment of animals coincide? It is a big step to entrust the care of your beloved horse to a stranger. A horse owner takes on a significant responsibility. The welfare and health of the horse is a top priority. Careful handling of the equipment is just as important. If any part of the equipment is damaged, the rider should inform the owner immediately.
• Reliability: A riding partner should be reliable, punctual and helpful. Agreements, such as taking over stable duties, must be adhered to. Even in unexpected situations, such as a sudden illness of the horse, the horse owner should be prepared to take on unscheduled tasks. Likewise, horse owners should not change agreements without good reason.
• Performance level: Does the horse's fitness level match the rider's requirements and vice versa?
• Insurance: Before signing the contract, clarify whether fellow riders and riding partners are covered by your horse liability insurance and whether your riding partner has private liability and accident insurance. A riding partner should never allow another person to ride the horse, not even experienced riding friends. This decision lies exclusively with the horse owner.
• Emergency: In an emergency, it is important to know what to do. If the horse owner is not available and the horse needs urgent help, it should be clarified what action the horse owner is allowed to take. Can they call the vet or is there another contact person? Clear agreements prevent disputes and ensure that the horse is helped quickly.
• Costs

Legal aspects of riding participation

Riding partnerships are not regulated by law and are agreed individually. It is therefore particularly important to record all agreements in writing to protect both parties. The contract should set out costs, periods of use, notice periods and rules for handling the horse as well as the liability and insurance situation.

A contract for riding participation can specify the question of liability and define the riding participation as a co-holder. This means that the additional rider is also liable in the event of damage. This regulation offers horse owners security when they entrust their horse to other riders.

A written contract also has advantages for the rider themselves. It allows the person to be officially included in the horse liability insurance as a co-holder, which protects them against possible claims for damages from third parties.  

Horses can cause considerable damage. As the owner of a horse, you are liable for all personal injury, property damage and financial loss caused by your horse - even if the responsibility lies with your riding partner.

Even if the horse itself caused the damage without a person being directly involved, horse owners are liable. This falls under what is known as strict liability. This means that you as the owner are responsible for the natural and unpredictable behavior of your animal. Horse liability insurance is therefore essential for every horse owner and keeper.

Costs of riding participation

For private horses, around 50 to 150 euros per month is common these days, depending on how often the rider takes care of the horse each week. However, this amount rarely covers the actual costs for the horse owner, as in addition to the purchase price, they also have to pay for stable hire, farrier, vet and equipment. Even in cheaper regions, these expenses can easily add up to 500 to 600 euros per month. From an economic point of view, a rider who uses the horse two to three times a week would have to pay around 250 euros, which is hardly feasible in practice.

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