Affording two???

pistolpete

pistolpete

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Long story short- one horse bit broken, navicular, other problems intermittently lame. New horse arrived on yard yesterday who is on sales livery-sort of. He is scrummy! Could I do it? How do others cope? What is best and worst about having two?
 
The worst - double the chance of having an injured/lame/ill horse.

The best (when I was on a livery yard) - no more worries about people bringing their horses in and leaving yours to go frantic on it's own (OK - both your horses need to be in the same field for this to work).
 
The worst is feeling guilty that you are not doing enough with both...but on the plus side you have a spare if one breaks ;) And double the love and horsey cuddles...oh and double the bills, poo, feed etc lol :D
 
Faracat said:
The worst - double the chance of having an injured/lame/ill horse.

The best (when I was on a livery yard) - no more worries about people bringing their horses in and leaving yours to go frantic on it's own (OK - both your horses need to be in the same field for this to work).
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This 100%.
Sometimes I find it hard to exercise both horses as much as I would like as well, but I get up about 5.30am every day to ride before work. Would be nice not to have to get up so early sometimes though!
 
I have two but have a sharer for one.

I do struggle still, particularly when they both need the vet at the same time or jabs etc are due.

Like u, I got number 2 as my first horse was getting on a bit and I wanted to start doing more competing. I actually started with a loan but ended up keeping him and bought him last year.
 
I have 2.5 horses! 2 horses and a mini! I haven't ridden for 10 months but have all of the work! have one 28, who is still rideable but I feel guilty as I've put on a stone, she had an op in the winter and I couldn't ride her, so I feel at her age its not fair to jump straight back on! even though im 3 stone lighter than I was when I bought her! but shes 12 yrs older!

then I have a 3 yr old, not ready to ride yet! but feel that I spend more time with him, because im getting him ready for being backed next year! luckily the mare is very happy doing her own thing, so doesn't get jealous but some horses might! and finally I have a mini Shetland, who I cant catch! so lots of work and no riding at the mo!

needless to say I love them just the way they are, and wouldn't change any of them for the world!

but when you need things you have to plan ahead! like each month I am buying a rug at a time, so they have enough for the winter! last month I got them both light weights, in the derby house sale, but got weatherbeetas, this month I need to get the boy a heavy weight, as he's outgrown last years rugs!

farrier isn't so bad at the mo, mare has fronts, boy has a trim, but when he backed, he'll have fronts put on, as we have very stoney tracks, ill have someone riding the mare so we can go out together, so will be at least 2 sets on fronts, then when doing more, might be 2 full sets, so will be more money!

im on a care plan with the vets £16.90 each a month, covers teeth and vaccinations!

I buy a bale of shavings each time I got to Robinsons or scats, to prepare for stabling in the winter! but I have plenty of storage, so this is fine!

so really if you can plan ahead im sure it will be fine?!
 
I have had 2 since February - so far I havent found it too much extra work but I am only riding one because number 2 is only 2 years old - took a few weeks to get used to mucking out 2. I had to make some changes though. For example I used to be incredibly fussy about my beds but now not so much cause I simply dont have the time to fully muck out to perfection 2 beds every day - they both get thick beds over rubber mats and skipped out most days and a proper muck out twice a week on my days off which does save me lots of time. I make up lots of haynets in winter to save me time each day too. I have been buying bales of shavings to stock up for winter while they are out and its second hand rugs now instead of brand new. Luckily I have a fabulous rug provider who does awesome second hand rugs. Farrier is not bad atm as the little guy just needs a trim every 12 weeks and I am hoping to keep him with just back shoes if possible. My livery is relatively cheap too - at £20 each horse per week as we are on a farm.

I actually still cant believe I have 2 horses. I find myself staring at them in the field not quite believing they are both mine. Considering I was 32 before I could afford my own horse, this is quite an achievement :D Now I find doing 2 pretty much as simple as doing 1 - but when I back Logan in a few years that might change lol
 
I keep my two out 24/7.
Pros- I can ride out with friends, if one is broke I can ride the other, they have company, if training one the other is a good role model.
cons- Double the cost and time to keep fit two and if you are not careful they can become heard bound and jealous.
I love having two and do not regret it in the slightest.
Good luck with your decision.
 
One horse, two - there's not much difference. However two sets of livery bills is crippling.
 
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I am very lucky to have two and at this time of year it is a lot easier as have more daylight hours and better weather to ride. Also my son can ride the more sensible one so helps me out in school hols. I do a lot of riding and leading in the winter, so can keep them both reasonably fit.

The painful bit is the farrier bill - they both need shod every 5 weeks in hunting season. However I can buy big bale haylage now as a bale just about lasts before going off with 2, so make savings that way.

Good luck in whatever you decide.
 
I have two, bought them and both were rideable, now I have two field ornaments and can't afford a riding horse. It's a possibility with two, they might just end up broken at the same time and you end up with nothing to ride for years if you can't afford a 3rd.
 
Eeek! I've just (well about 2hrs ago!) put a deposit down on a second.

Luckily both will live out so costs and chores are lower - the bank balance is going to scream though at the purchase price and then all the bits I need because of course the new one is so different in size and shape to my old boy that I can't share rugs etc.

Fingers crossed for the vetting tomorrow.
 
I have four :o one isn't ridden yet (will be next year). Two for me and two for my daughter. I am dreaming of when she will be able to ride and lead so we can exercise four at once :D
 
Big pro is defiantly being able to do your own thing re leaving in together, putting out together etc etc without worrying what others are doing and worrying that yours will be going mental on its own.
Big con - double the ££!!
 
i love having my 2, happened by accident! (long story :P) they both have completely different personalities and strengths (and weaknesses!) my boy is now more of a happy hacker as he is 15 yo ex-racer showing his age :( (currently lame) and my girl is 10 and starting to go out competing. I can actually lead her off him to save time on exercising in the winter.
but i do agree, if they both had to retire i doubt i could do a third so i would have nothing to ride as no way would sell on either. also double costs- nothing is cheaper for the second! so you have to budget both time and money.
i don't think i would afford them if on more expensive livery, mine are just on a farm where i pay rent for land, so would be the same amount of rent/livery if i had one or two.
 
Having struggled with double livery bills and not enough time for the last 4 years of being a "two horser" I've just advertised one of mine for loan. Not my choice...OH finally (justifiably) drew the line, in the light of "can't even afford a holiday this year, kids have no shoes..etc." Heartbroken, but also quite looking forward to only having one stable to do this winter, and being able to concentrate fully on remaining horse, who is a fatty and needs more work than I ever have time to give him. "All eggs in one basket" keeps niggling at the back of my mind...but sadly, I have no choice in the matter.
 
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