Am I being an absolute idiot?

Mongoose11

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So, I have one amazo Cob mare - feisty little madam, aloof, mostly interested in grass and a total dream under saddle. I always said I would never have two.............

So, now I am taking on my own little yard and looking for a livery to keep my mare company - might I be as well to just get another one of my own? Argh.

I started looking for a mini, or at least a pony - but then I figured - might as well get one I can ride so that me and my sharer can hack out together?

Gorgeous warmblood - needs new home, companion or hack as he has a spavin, managed with the odd bute on a bad day but generally sound for hacking and schooling. I haven't met him but think I am falling in love all ready.

I have a busy job, took on a sharer for my mare, hope to have children - so why am I thinking of getting another? Is it easier to have two in some ways? Am I just being a fool?

I could afford another one..... God, why do I go looking?

Advice please.

Thanks
Billie xx
 
i dont think you can fall in love till you actually meet him :)

Go and have a look if you think you can afford him and want him, you might not like him anyway and then your decision is made :)
 
I am sure lots of people will tell you to go ahead....but, as a mother of 2 young children, I would advise any mother to be not to complicate their lives - another horse that you own is a large responsibility that you may wish you had not taken on.

But, I understand the need for company. Couldn't you just get another livery to share the yard?
 
By saying you are a Mother to be, I didn't mean to imply you are pregnant .... merely that you want children in the not too distant future!
 
If your just looking for on to jolly about with then yes...but having two in work and a busy full time job is bloody hard, and will someone be willing to look after two big horses if your not there....on hol etc? I have two and would like a few extra hours every day! lucky bf is understanding....either that or hes not bothered by not seeing me :-)
 
I think the wisest thing is to give yourself time to adjust to having the horses (yours and sharer's) in your own yard (there is SOOO much more to do than on livery) and then reconsider.

If you are thinking of becoming pregnant in the near future, then definately NO SECOND HORSE! You will regret it as it is tough enough looking after one horse and a baby.

Finally if you do want a hacking horse I think you are better off getting one who is up to the job rather than a horse with on-going health problems that is already relying on bute to keep in very mild work. This horse sounds like a retirement project than a hack!
 
I have 2...I found 3 a push but 2 fine on my own little yard and I have had 4 children. However, it wasn't easy when they were tiny so that's the time you need 2 you can just turn away really if you end up with an unsettled baby. My 2 are old now and not in regular work but keep each other company.
 
having gone from shed loads to 2, I really could not think of having equine 2 as a ridden animal.
Tiny fuzzy is there primarily as companion, cuddly person for tiny people (& poss LR pony later this year).

I work as does DH, DH & I have a hobby that takes us away 10 weekends or so in the year. I'm lucky enought to have now found a trusted person to care for them when am away and I feel I can give my time to both Fuzzies, but STILL don't feel that I devote enough time to them both.
A 2nd one who required more hay/feed/shoes/poo-picking/mucking out & ridden work & also the rugging/rug changing etc would then (for me) make things more of a chore.

All I'd say to counsel you is: just think of the depths of winter - snow, ice or rain for days on end. Will the land take it? Will you be able to cope if sharer is sick/cant come - and will family help out if you cannot get there?

However, all that said - each to their own - and good luck :)
 
Personally I would get a livery. If you get another it's another one to buy hay,feed for, not to mention the farrier, vets bills, worming.

Get the right person and it would be a nice little set up, someone to hack out with and you can help each other out.
 
I would usually say go for it but when you have a child and two horses to manage its quite as easy as one. It time consuming, hard work and don't forget exhausting. I ride one and lunge, long rein or lead my daughter (although teaching him to drive) and this on top of mucking out can take 4-5 hours a day. My daughters 4 so not at the baby stage but it can be hard to keep her amused everyday. I can't leave the ponies for a few days either or they'd both be obese. If your sharer decides to buy her own you would then have no help at all which would add to your work load.

Good luck but think long and hard x
 
I am sure lots of people will tell you to go ahead....but, as a mother of 2 young children, I would advise any mother to be not to complicate their lives - another horse that you own is a large responsibility that you may wish you had not taken on.

But, I understand the need for company. Couldn't you just get another livery to share the yard?

^^^^ This 100%. I'd especially not take on one that needs 'the odd bute', if his condition deteriorates or is worse than originally stated, then you could be left with an expensive field ornament, vets bills, or a horse that needs euthanising in the not too distant future.
 
Haha ... Im the naughty devil sitting on your shoulder saying what the hell, just go and see him! Oops, home he comes :eek::D

Although do find out more on his 'issues' as like the other say, you dont want to be left ££££s in debt - there are plent of others about!

I bought my second horse last year and find it sooooooooo much easier that one! If Im late home Im not stressing my mare would be on her own .. if everyone else is out and you have a sick/injured horse, voila, you now have company :D

I used to chat/faff about when doing jobs for one - now Im superwoman doing all my jobs in record speed :o

Now Im also thinking of putting my original mare into foal this year - if you're an idiot, make me a double idiot (more the merrier) ;)
 
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