Advice.....please

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Vickie_Minstrel

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Hi there, this is not really a horsey question but just wondered if anyon had been in the same boat and wondered what they did - or what would do...
I'm 24, not been riding long - just over a year and have had my pony since May this year (13.2hh, bay gelding). I absolutely love him to bits but am in a job that I really hate and am looking to go to University in September to study teaching which will take about 5 years to get fully qualified. My problem is that in order for me to do this I would need to give up Minstrel as I couldn't afford to keep him
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I have two options - if I do decide to do this course do I sell my boy or do I put him on loan till I've finished my course and am qualified and then have him back. Do you think that there are many people that would take on a pony for loan on the understanding that I have him back once I'm finished.

Again, I'm sorry that this isn't really horsey related but I just want some opinions. Thanks
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Personally if you feel confident you will be able to get a job straight out of uni, I would consider loaning him. Many people are only looking horses a short term loan. Just make sure you find the right person and make up a proper contract!
 
Is it possible to find a sharer who can help you with time commitments and running costs whilst you are at Uni. Loaning can be good if you can find the right person.

If you do have to sell your pony, then you could maybe ask if you can have first refusal, should they sell the pony on again which may give you a chance to buy him back.
 
Put him on loan. I unexpecedly ended up living in Scotland for 2 years and my pony was on loan to someone else as I couldnt even afford to look after myself properly, never mind him. The loan continued when I came home, till I got back on my feet, then the girl who had my pony turned 15, got a boyfriend and I took him back. Was messy between myself and the loanee at the time but she appreciates it was for the best now and I update her over MSN.
 
I am kind of in the same situation. I go to uni in september, probably to do biology (3years.) I have pretty much decided to sell my horse; I often find loans do not work, he is only 6 and is a very nice horse which thrives on being competed, therefore in his case, I dont think it would be fair to keep him. Also by the time I finish university he will be 11, and reaching his peak, so I will be left with an aging horse, who might not want to do his job by this point. I also have to consider the financial implications, if he returns to full fitness he is worth at least £5000, and it seems silly not to sell him, from a financial stance. The only scenario I think I think I will change this is if the various soundness problems he has had resurface; in which case I will loan him as I dont want him ending up being shot at a young age because of them (if that makes sense!)
 
Thanks for the advice guys, there is a possiblility that the YO would have him on loan, she has already asked for first refusal if I sell him as he's a dream first pony and her daughter has just started having lessons. I'm not worried about him being too old when i get him back as he is only 7 now so would be about 12 when i do and I dont want to do anything spectacular with him. Mostly hacking and a little schooling - although he does love to jump with the aid of his "aunty abi" (my friend who keeps him fit for me due to my inexperience). I'm just dreading having to hand him over to someone..... he's my boy!!! I'm wondering whether to give uni a miss and just look for another job so that I can keep him.....
 
HighlandGirl, I couldn't afford to even part loan him as I own my own house and would need to work part time to cover the bills...... i'm trying to think of everything possible to keep him and keep coming to a dead end.... its really c**p, i've wanted my own horse for as long as I can remember and now I've got him I might have to give him up - how much does that suck???????
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I didn't go to uni partly cos of my pony, even before I moved away to Scotland. I would have been a teacher now, earning 10,000 more a year than I do now but I am happy now, aged 25 with a nice house, husband, car and a new horse, as well as the pony, now aged 21 who still competes once a week and is my best friend.
Just go with what feels best.
 
Some people have probably touched on what I am going to say but here goes. If you put him on loan you must find a home that will keep him for at least 5 years. This may be difficult as people outgrow ponies fairly rapidly & move onto either larger ponies or horses. If this was to happen, or the loaners circumstances changed the pony could be returned to you quickly. You would then have to find somewhere for him + money to keep him until you could arrange another loan. This would be money you could ill afford.

It would be a difficult decision to make but I feel you may have to consider selling him....sorry but it may be the best way in the end. Good Luck with your decision
 
would it help to rent your house out for a while and put pony on loan to give you a bit of a breather financially? I have done both with success and you would be surprised how easily you adjust!!
 
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