Guide

Sharing riding days fairly in a horse share: models and template

5 min read

Sharing a horse needs a clear split of riding days. When does the owner ride, when does the sharer, and what applies during holidays or bad weather? This guide presents the common models and gives you a template for agreeing a fair arrangement step by step.

Why a clear split matters

A horse share lives on reliability. The horse should be exercised evenly, the owner needs her own riding days, and the sharer wants a stable place in the daily routine of the yard. Without an agreement you quickly get double bookings, skipped training sessions or the feeling of being short-changed. A clear split brings calm and trust.

In Switzerland, one to two fixed riding days per week is the norm for a horse share (see reitbeteiligungen.ch). How many days it is depends on the horse's training need, the time budget on both sides and the agreed monthly contribution.

The three common models

Three models have proved themselves for distributing riding days. Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

Fixed weekdays. The sharer always rides on the same days, for example every Tuesday and Friday. The advantage is maximum predictability: both sides know their days long term and can organise work and leisure around them. The drawback is little flexibility if one side's weekly rhythm changes, or if a fixed day regularly collides with other commitments.
2-3-2 rhythm. The number of days alternates every two weeks. In one week the sharer rides two days, the next three, then two again. Over two weeks an odd number of days evens out fairly. The drawback is that the rhythm has to be documented well, otherwise you lose track of which week is running.
Alternating weeks. The two sides split whole weeks rather than individual days. One week the owner has priority, the next the sharer. The advantage is longer connected blocks of time, good for more intensive training phases or short riding trips. The drawback is long gaps between your own riding days, which is too infrequent for many leisure riders.

For most partnerships, fixed weekdays are the simplest and most stable choice. The 2-3-2 rhythm pays off when an odd number of days needs splitting fairly. Alternating weeks suit arrangements with irregular working hours.

Holidays and absences: who has priority

Holidays are the most common stumbling block. One simple ground rule has proved itself: whoever plans a holiday or a longer absence announces it as early as possible. The riding day that drops out is swapped where possible, rather than cancelled without replacement.

Owner priority. It is usual for the owner to keep priority where the two collide, since the horse is hers. That priority should be handled fairly, though, and not used as a standing rule.
Stepping in during an absence. If one side is away for a longer stretch, the other ideally takes on extra days so the horse gets enough exercise. A longer absence by the owner can mean more saddle time for the sharer.
Notice period. Two to four weeks for planned holidays gives both sides enough time to rearrange the days.

Cancellations and bad weather

Not every riding day can be kept. Illness, storms, ice on the arena or a sore hoof are part of life with horses. What matters is that both sides know what applies then.

Cancellation deadline. For plannable sessions, one to two days works well, so the other side can use the day if needed.
Weather write-offs. If a day drops out because of weather or ground conditions, it is either cancelled or, where the plan allows, made up. Nobody should expect a make-up as a right.
Sudden illness. If the horse is unwell, its welfare comes before the riding plan. Those write-offs are not counted against anyone.

The least friction arises when cancellations are communicated factually and without blame. A short message in the shared calendar or chat is usually enough.

Template: how to agree your split

These points let you record a fair arrangement in a few minutes.

Riding days per week: for example two fixed days.
Chosen model: fixed weekdays, 2-3-2 rhythm or alternating weeks.
Concrete days: for example Tuesday and Friday for the sharer.
Holiday rule: notice period and priority where the two collide.
Cancellation rule: deadline for plannable cancellations and how weather write-offs are handled.
Communication channel: where days, swaps and cancellations are recorded.

These points ideally belong in the written horse share agreement, so that if there is any disagreement both sides can fall back on a common basis.

Swiss practice: one to two days and a shared calendar

In Switzerland a horse share usually settles at one to two fixed days per week. The days often fall on weekday evenings or at the weekend, depending on working hours and yard opening times. Many yards work with a weekly plan on the stable door, but that reaches its limits as soon as somebody swaps or cancels at short notice.

A shared digital calendar that both sides can access is more practical. Riding days, holidays and cancellations go in there in real time, and nobody has to guess whether the arena is free today. With several sharers on one horse, or in a busy yard, a shared calendar is worth its weight in gold.

Frequently asked questions

How many riding days per week does a horse share have? In Switzerland one to two fixed days per week is usual. The exact count depends on the horse's training need, the owner's time and the monthly contribution.

What splitting models exist? Fixed weekdays, the 2-3-2 rhythm with an alternating day count, and alternating weeks. Fixed weekdays are the most predictable and the simplest choice for most partnerships.

Who has priority during holidays or absences? This should be agreed in writing in advance. Announce holidays early and swap the days that drop out rather than cancelling them. The owner usually keeps priority where the two collide.

What happens with bad weather or a last-minute cancellation? A cancellation deadline of one to two days makes sense. If a riding day drops out for weather or illness, it is cancelled or made up where possible.

Sources and further reading

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Updated: August 2026