Can you work two horse in final year at uni ?

[Mary3050]

Hi asking for a friend

Her daughter is returning to university for her final year . She’s had last year of hybrid working online and in person sessions meaning she stayed at home prior to that it was covid so not a problem and before that was first year so she kept two horses in work . However they decided it was best to move back to uni for final year . It’s 1h 10 away and that the Bella would come live on grass with me as they can’t afford two horse on full livery and being schooled whilst she isn’t here then in March Bella will go back to the livery yard . Bella goes a bit wild if not kept in consistent work ie 6 days a week over winter or isn’t turned away . She is fine in summer can be worked 4 days no problem . The yard is aware and aren’t bothered about filling the stable as they don’t want loads of liveries.

The daughter got her timetable last week and has said that up to Christmas she will be able to come back the following times and therefore can work the competition horse more meaning that the mare can be keep in work …

The mum is concerned that it’s an unrealistic overstretch and she doesn’t want to end up with her daughter not doing well at uni or to have to struggling financially

- Return to uni at Lunch for 13:00 lecture ride both am
- Tuesday Two lectures
- Wednesday am lecture return to ride pm back to uni late Wednesday evening/early Thursday morning.
- Ride Friday afternoon, sat & Sunday

They had planned for her to be back 3 days maybe 4 . So we’re gonna have other horse schooled twice and lunged once but the daughter is saying Bella could be lunged once and she can do an extra day on the competition horse.

Daughter also said that If she couldn’t get back ie group sessions or exams that Bella could be put on horse Walker twice ( horsewalker helps for the odd day ) or mum could hand walk .

I didn’t keep horse At uni so I have no idea anyone who can give advice who did?

 

[Arzada]

What is she studying?

 

[Mary3050]

What is she studying?

Biotechnology

 

[TheMule]

I rode more during my final year of uni than I probably have at any other time in my life. I had 2 of my own in work and was riding for other people to earn some money.
It is possible that contributed to the fact I only got a 2:2. But I had a great year
Edited to add: it was a science degree

 

[ponynutz]

Not full time I wouldn't say so. It'd require similar commitment to a job (if not more) which I wouldn't personally do in my final year.

One would be a nice stress reliever I imagine though

 

[black and brown]

It sounds do-able but in my experience when your aiming to get somewhere on time that's when you're more likely to get stuck in traffic, horse throws a spanner in the works and you then feel very very stressed!

 

[MuddyMonster]

It do think it depends what she does outside of uni and riding, too.

There's no way I could have done two in full time work as I was working part time to fund university and had work placements as part of my course and couldn't have dealt with the stress of it all!

 

[HashRouge]

Only the girl in question can really judge this, as only she knows how much time her course will take up, how efficient she is at doing her work outside of lessons, and how dedicated she is to riding over other things, like having a social life. I would suggest she give it a try and see how she gets on. Surely nothing to be lost if she does it for a few weeks, then decides it isn't working and she needs to cut back?

 

[Deltofe2493]

is there any way the horse could move to the uni so is on her doorstep and not worry about the travel times?

my friend is going back for her final year and taking her horse with her - also on DIY

 

[JBM]

I’m going into my last year with two horses but college and horses are pretty much right next to each other and I just about manage
I think it’s so able if they’re on full livery and literally only show up to ride but not if you have to look after them too

 

[scats]

I think it’s doable, but hard work.

My final 6 months in uni was pretty hellish. I had 3 horses on DIY and the yard came down with strangles. One of mine got it and was really unwell (on the floor unwell). I just remember that January and February being a lot of me stripping off in the barn to make sure I was in different clothes to do my other horses, one horse in work, the companion stabled next to the poorly horse (by some miracle he didn’t catch it)… all the while commuting the 45 minute journey to uni every day and trying to do all my assignments and my dissertation. That was a fun final few months! I also worked both Saturday and Sunday every week. Looking back I honestly don’t know how I did it.

 

[Annagain]

It's doable but not in a way that would be enjoyable (for me anyway). It's also a hell of a lot of fuel for someone who's not earning (I assume, there'd be no time around uni and horses) especially with prices as they are at the moment.

 

[Lotsoflemons]

Hi a bit of both advice i have had 2 horses while at college one i kept on site and one offsite i did have both offsite but struggled with having them both in regular work and studying even at college i ended up putting the one at college on working livery to focus on my younger one at home. and as said above i think having one is good but 2 it becomes a chore and especially around your limited time can be alot of work i would reccomend loaning out one or 2of your horses to maybe a close friend or someone who could continue your schooling work for you? Just while you are at uni. its not ideal but can be good.

 

[Nudibranch]

Only the lady in question can answer. I wouldn't have been able to, but that's because I put my social life before riding at uni. Everyone is different.

In all honesty, let them get on with it. What's the worst that can happen? It's not actually your responsibility OP.

 

[Leandy]

I'd say 1hr 10 each way is a very long time to be travelling just to ride a horse if she's intending to return to uni accomodation each day. Its not really clear from your post whether she is expecting to do this each time she rides or eg stay closer at home overnight sometimes. She will have to work out herself what the schedule looks like and what it costs and whether she thinks it is doable depending what her priorities and finances are. I would say though that if she does this in any form she is going to miss out a lot on the social side of university which she has already missed out on substantially in the last two years because of COVID. Personally I think that would be a huge loss and a key part of the university experience but it really depends on her priorities and whether she is good at time management to fit everything in or not.

 

[FinkleyAlex]

It’s doable but will cost her financially and socially, as I’d imagine any type of social life around that would be difficult, as would any kind of paid employment