Guide

Mucking out and stable chores in a horse share: split fairly

3 min read

Stable work is the most frequent misunderstanding in Swiss horse shares. What started as "a bit of help" becomes an unpaid second shift. This guide draws a clear line: what belongs to the share, what doesn't and how to settle extra work fairly.

Why stable work causes so much friction

On reitbeteiligungen.ch and Swiss forums, the pattern recurs: the share was meant as pure riding, then the boarding falls through or the owner is on holiday, and suddenly the sharer mucks, feeds and tends. Without agreement, the sharer feels exploited.

The solution is a clean separation. Standard riding-day tasks belong to the share. Anything beyond is extra and must be in the agreement.

What's included on a standard riding day

  • Bringing the horse, tying
  • Grooming before and after riding
  • Picking hooves
  • Saddling and bridling
  • Riding and walking to cool
  • Returning the horse
  • Sweeping the box or entrance if grossly dirty
  • Checking and refilling the water trough
  • Saddle and bridle to tack room
  • Reporting observations

About 30 to 45 minutes additional to riding time.

What's not part of a standard share

  • Full mucking of a box. 15 to 25 minutes per box.
  • Feeding. Measuring hay, dosing concentrate, preparing mash. 5 to 10 minutes per meal with knowledge of quantities.
  • Pasture management. Bringing to pasture and returning, checking water, checking the fence.
  • Blanket care. Putting on and removing as weather changes.
  • Filling slow hay nets multiple times per day.
  • Grooming kit maintenance. Cleaning brushes, replacing broken ones.

Whoever takes one of these durably takes on stable work, not the share.

How extra work is fairly compensated

Three ways are usual in Switzerland:

  • Contribution reduction. The owner reduces the monthly contribution by a fixed amount, CHF 50 to 150 per month depending on the kind and frequency.
  • Riding time exchanged for stable work. Sharer rides more often and takes more stable work. Risky because stable work often grows faster than ride time. Limit in writing.
  • Clear task list instead of flat rate. The agreement lists per weekday the concrete tasks rather than a vague "helps with stable work". Fairest variant.

Animal welfare framework

Though OPAn doesn't prescribe exact mucking frequency, it sets the frame.

  • Clean bedding. Box must not force horse to lie in waste (Fedlex).
  • Drinking water permanently available.
  • Daily movement. At least two hours of turnout on two days per week (Art. 61).

These standards apply regardless of who takes the work. Sharer doing stable work also takes on responsibility for these minima.

Template clause for the agreement

  • Standard riding-day tasks included in monthly contribution.
  • Extra stable work on sharer days (concrete list: full mucking, feeding, pasture, blanket changes) gives contribution reduction of CHF X per month.
  • Non-share days owner or boarding takes everything.
  • Emergencies by case agreement, sharer may help but isn't obligated.
  • Termination of stable-work clause at the same notice as share cancellation.

Frequently asked questions

Is mucking part of a horse share? No, not by default. If included, must be in contract with contribution reduction.

What stable work is included on a riding day? Bring, groom, saddle, ride, cool, return, water.

Time cost for extra work? Mucking 15-25 min, feeding 5-10 min. Total 30-45 minutes extra.

Fair compensation? Contribution reduction CHF 50-150 per month.

OPAn on box care? Clean bedding and sufficient movement, no prescribed rhythm.

Sources

Document tasks in HorseCompanion

Riding-day tasks are noted per horse to track who did what. Start for free

Updated: June 2026