Haha, we’re trying to figure out if we can make it happen … turnabout is fair play 
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An additional rider for your horse is a good idea if it can help you deal with your own issues without also worrying about your horse.
I learned to ride at age 11 for our Girl Scout badge and did some light riding through high school. It wasn’t quite enough for re-rider status, so when I got back to horses at age 50 I was pretty much a beginnier. I bought my beloved Paint gelding when I was 53 and he was 7. Most horses have WTC as their basic gaits. His were walk-jog-gallop - more challenging than I was comfortable with, so I switched to walk-trot. I was really concerned about his overall condiiton and enjoying the things he loved - jumping over stuff and galloping, particularly in new snow among other things. I made him walk or trot in the snow. We did some light showing in our early years.
We were at a large barn with lessons, so I was able to find two girls to ride him. The first one rode for about 6 years. He learned how to canter. They enjoyed a skijoring clinic and won the youth-open class at a large verstitlity challenge. The family kicked in 1/4 of the monthly pasture board cost.
The second one started lessons on him a few months into her riding career when she was 12 or 13. They paid for her lessons, I didn’t ask for board. She is 25 now, with a lovely mustang mare. Once she got beyond her fear of cantering their favorite workout was galloping the tree line on the far side of the hayfield. He got all excited when they headed out. She is an excellent rider. She started as a working student and spent 2-1/2 years at a top notch dressage barn in Wellington and Vermont. Last winter she was offered a job as a groom for a member of the Canadian Olympic team. She is working at level 3-4 with her mustang mare. I am extremely proud of her.
I was a pleasure rider and having someone to ride him was the best thing I did for both of us as well as the two girls who learned to ride on him. When I couldn’t ride for 6 weeks I didn’t have to worry about him. We aged gracefully together through is late 20s and my retirement. We did a century ride in June 2021 and I had to put him down in July 2022. He stayed with me unitl about a month ago.
One huge advantage is that you can create separate activities for you and your horse. If he needs to remain in condition you can take as much time off as you need. If he needs a rest, he should have a gradual increase in work to get back in shape. It helps to have someone work on that with or for you. It is likely you have totally different time requirements to meet your goals.
He was amazing - note that he looks straight into the camera lens! These are from approiximately 2010, 2014.
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I had a similar inclination as I travel fairly frequently for work and would like to keep my lad in consistent work. Trainer can school one day a week but that’s it. I posted on our local equestrian Facebook group and was disappointed with the responses – heard from a lot of folks, but I didn’t get the sense these were people who were riding fit and experienced enough to keep a horse in correct work. And I just wasn’t willing to hand him over to someone who was going to let him pootle around like a wanna-be peanut roller or let him develop bad habits. I decided the time off every month is good for him and he won’t lose tons of fitness.
If I had a trainer with local students, I’d take a recommendation and let someone ride him that was vetted by a pro. Is there someone, maybe a talented junior, at your barn who might pick up some extra rides for a modest financial contribution (like $20 a ride) or more saddle time?
In your case, lots of groundwork for sure, long walks in-hand to build fitness (if you are able), in-hand polework, lunging if you’re able, free lunging if your facility allows it … you can keep him ticking over in addition to trainer rides.
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I just love this!! What a cool horse and how awesome for the riders!!
I’ve ridden a lot of horses for free for people over the years and it would be nice to “give back” if I could.
That being said my horse is only 6 years old and he does have kissing spine so while he’s a really good boy it definitely has to be the right situation. He has to be ridden correctly even if lightly.
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There’s not a lot of junior riders at the barn unfortunately. Although I do know one that would be awesome but I’m not sure if she would be interested in riding him since he isn’t jumping at the moment. There is another really good riding kid but she has quite the temper and I don’t want to deal with the temper.
But my trainer might have ideas. She also might just boo the idea all together. We’ve been very careful and conservative with him as far as workload.
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He has only pretty much had professionals ride him besides me… Which might be a factor too. Like I said I think he’s pretty straightforward but I guess I’m not sure what other people think 
my trainer thinks he’s pretty easy and honest though.
I do hope that my daughter and I just share him one day… Ideally in a year or two at most. Because owning two horses isn’t feasible and while we lease now, it’s a lot.
So this can be a step in that direction to prepare him for her as well. I have no doubt that she will get along with him eventually but he’s still young yet.
