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Frequently asked questions
Here are some questions we often get asked
RidersOwnersFarriers
How do I find a horse near me?
Search by location and use the filters to narrow down by horse size, temperament, and riding style. Each listing includes a full horse profile so you can get a feel for the horse before reaching out.
Do I need experience to book?
That depends on the horse. Owners set their own experience requirements in the listing, some horses suit confident beginners, others need an experienced hand. Always be honest about your level. It keeps you and the horse safe.
What is a meet & greet?
A meet & greet is an in-person visit to meet the horse on the ground before you ride. We strongly encourage this for any new connection. It gives you a chance to see how the horse behaves, and gives the owner a chance to see how you handle yourself around horses. It's the single best thing you can do before booking.
How does payment work?
Payments are processed securely through Stripe. You pay when a booking is confirmed. For regular loan arrangements, payments are charged monthly in advance.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel more than 48 hours before your booking and you'll receive a full refund from the owner. Cancel within 48 hours and no refund is due unless the owner agrees otherwise.
Do I need my own insurance?
Yes. Don’t assume the owner’s policy covers you, it usually doesn’t. BHS Gold membership includes public liability and personal accident cover from around £8.50/month. Sort this before your first ride. bhs.org.uk/membership/gold-membership
What if the horse isn't as described?
Raise it with the owner first through the platform messaging. If you have a genuine concern, get in touch with us at stableneighbours@gmail.com and we’ll do what we can to help.
Listing a horse
How do I list my horse?
Create your Neighbour Account, activate your owner role, and follow the steps to build your horse's profile. You'll add details about their temperament, experience requirements, availability, and pricing. The more honest and detailed your listing, the better your chances of finding the right match.
Who can see my listing?
Your listing is visible to everyone on the platform. Your full address is never shown publicly, location is only shared with a rider once a booking is confirmed.
Can I choose who rides my horse?
Absolutely. Booking requests come to you first and you decide whether to accept. We encourage you to use the messaging feature to ask questions and arrange a meet & greet before committing to anything.
What should I charge?
That's entirely up to you. You set the price for your horse. If you're not sure where to start, think about what the arrangement costs you (time, feed, wear on tack) and price from there.
What if I need to cancel a booking?
If you cancel a confirmed booking, the rider will receive a full refund. We know things happen with horses, just cancel as early as possible and let the rider know through the platform.
Am I responsible if a rider gets hurt?
Stable Neighbours is a marketplace, we connect neighbours, but we’re not responsible for what happens during a ride. You should have appropriate public liability insurance in place before listing your horse. If your policy doesn’t cover third-party riders, check with your insurer before accepting bookings. BHS Gold membership is one option worth considering. bhs.org.uk/membership/gold-membership
What if the rider isn't who they said they were?
Trust your instincts. Always do a meet & greet before the first ride. If something doesn’t feel right, you’re not obligated to proceed. You can also report concerns to us at stableneighbours@gmail.com.
Finding a farrier
How do I find a farrier near me?
Search by town or postcode on the Farriers page. You can filter by services offered and sort by reviews. Each listing shows the farrier's qualification level, years of experience, and coverage area so you can make an informed choice even if they have no reviews yet.
How do I know if a farrier is qualified?
All farriers on Stable Neighbours are required to hold a current Farriers Registration Council (FRC) registration. Their qualification level (AWCF, DWCF, or FWCF) is displayed on their listing. You can independently verify registration at farrier-reg.gov.uk.
What's the difference between AWCF, DWCF, and FWCF?
- AWCF (Approved Farrier): entry-level FRC registration. Qualified to practise independently.
- DWCF (Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers): intermediate qualification, demonstrating broader knowledge and skill.
- FWCF (Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farriers): the highest farriery qualification in the UK.
For routine trimming and shoeing, an AWCF farrier is fully qualified. For corrective or remedial work, you may want to look for a DWCF or FWCF.
How does payment work?
You pay when the booking is confirmed. Payment is processed securely through Stripe. If the farrier cancels a confirmed appointment, you'll receive a full refund.
What if the farrier doesn't show up or the work isn't right?
Raise it directly with the farrier through the platform messaging first. If you’re unable to resolve it, get in touch with us at stableneighbours@gmail.com and we’ll do what we can to help. We’re not able to adjudicate professional disputes, but we take reliability seriously and repeated issues will be reflected on a farrier’s profile standing.
Do I need my own insurance for a farrier visit?
As a horse owner you should hold appropriate public liability insurance that covers professional visits to your yard. Check your existing policy — yard, livery, or BHS membership insurance may already cover this. bhs.org.uk/membership/gold-membership
How do I set up my profile?
Create a Neighbour Account and activate your farrier role. You'll be able to add your qualifications, services, coverage area, and availability. Your FRC qualification level (AWCF, DWCF, or FWCF) is displayed prominently on your listing, so make sure it's accurate. A complete profile makes it much easier for owners to find and book you.
Do I need to be FRC registered?
Yes. Practising farriery in the UK without being registered with the Farriers Registration Council is a criminal offence under the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975. Your registration is a condition of listing on Stable Neighbours. If your registration lapses, you must update or remove your listing immediately.
What qualifications can I display?
Stable Neighbours displays your FRC qualification level: AWCF (Approved Farrier), DWCF (Diploma), or FWCF (Fellowship). You can also indicate your years of experience and the specific services you offer, trimming, cold shoeing, hot shoeing, corrective and remedial work.
Who will be able to find me?
Horse owners across the platform searching for farrier services in your coverage area. The more complete your profile, the more visible and credible you'll appear. Early on, discoverability is the primary value, owners searching in your area will find you rather than relying on Facebook or word of mouth.
How does booking work?
Owners send you a booking request through the platform. You review and accept, then the appointment is confirmed. All communication stays on the platform so everything is in one place.
How do I get paid?
Payments are processed through Stripe. Once a booking is completed, the payment is processed and transferred to your nominated bank account. You'll set up your payout details when you activate your farrier role via Stripe's onboarding.
Can I manage my own calendar?
Yes. You control your availability and can keep your diary up to date so you only receive requests for times that work for you.
What if I need to cancel an appointment?
Cancel as early as possible and let the owner know through the platform. If you cancel a confirmed booking, the owner will receive a full refund. Repeated cancellations may affect your profile standing.
Is there a cost to list on Stable Neighbours?
Not right now. Creating a profile and listing your services is completely free. We'll always give you plenty of notice before anything changes.