Ever sent your horse to college/riding school?

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hrhmika

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Hi all, Am thinking of sending my old boy to a college/riding school for a while due to circumstances at home, was just wondering if anyone had any experience of doing this, positive or negative.

I was going to try and find him a lovely loan home but so far no takers, he is very special too me so he needs to be happy where ever he goes. He has worked to medium and won at elementary dressage so is a decent enough horse but does not jump anymore after a freak accident hunting.

Was thinking
- either Brinsbury of Merrist Wood???
- guaranteed home with good level of care (i think???)
- heard many scarey stories of loan horses going missing (would be safe at college)

Any advice either way much appreciated.
 
Maybe not quite the same, but my experience is:

Bought a horse who had failed the vet, but I got him cheap and took a chance. That didn't work, although he'd work nicely in the school, and was great to jump (came in the same canter, every single time, got the stride just right), he wouldn't event. His failed vetting was due to a very asymetrical pelvis. On a good rubber surface he was great, on grass or similar he was a nappy thug.

So he was sold to a BHS exam training centre. It was a venue I knew, and my trainer taught there regularly, recommended it. I was totally honest about his issues. Apparently he was just perfect there. Teaching Stage IV riders who thought they knew what they were doing that they really didn't :p. He was very valued as a teaching horse, and perfectly spoiled. I wouldn't have put him anywhere that taught beginners but knew that at this level he'd be fine, and he was. They also committed to retiring him as soon as his issues became more serious. They owned the farm and had plenty of retirees kicking about. I got a new, sound horse and had fun, he wasn't asked to do a job he hated, and was happy, new owner had a great schoolmaster, students learnt to ride properly - win win win win :)

It's different from a loan of course, and I had a personal introduction to the new owner, so it worked well for me.
 
I've had a horse on working livery before, and whilst not ideal, it worked for the majority of the time.
 
My horse was at Hartpury for 3 years while I was studying there. It was either that or sell him, and even though some one offered me a LOT more than he was worth I suddenly realised I wouldn't be able to sell him so this was the only option.

I have to say during term time he was looked after amazingly, never dirty, looked beautiful and they all loved him. I watched a few lessons and even the riders seemed to put his needs first! His schooling was a little iffy when he came back (lots of different people riding him) but it took me about a month to sort out. His jumping has improved amazingly, mainly due to the amount of poles and training they did (he loves to jump but used to always knock poles). His cross country is now a bit rubbish - but this is the only issue I have had, I always let him go as fast as he liked but they held him back and now he is a little nervous of anything bigger than 2'9.

The only warning I could give is that I let them borrow him for an inter-university competition which meant them keeping him an extra month, when I got him back he was verging on obese. I assume holiday staff took over the care of the horses and just chucked him out in a field for the month.. unfortunately he gets fat on air and took me 6 months of almost starvation (in during the day with a tiny soaked hay net, out at night in a fat patch) to get him to a normal weight! (he was 570kg and now is 490Kg)

I would say a good option, but just keep up regular checks to make sure hes happy - some horses do not suit it at all, but for me it was defiantly the right choice. x
 
I be careful to assess the ability of riding the college students are at as i have seen 2 horses schooling ruined due to bad riding at colleges, however both were looked after well and came back healthy. I hope your boy is happy where ever he goes. Xxx
 
Like everything, it works for some and not for others. It can be tricky to predict, too. I used to run a very high end riding school, populated mostly by ex competition horses (Int eventers, show hunters etc) and we had a waiting list of people wanting to give us horses, but even some of the ones we considered never made it past the trial.

One thing you do need to remember, he will have to fit in and do a job for them and you can't be too precious about making demands, as they simply will not be able to have a horse that can't be kept and ridden 'their way'. I don't mean that as a criticism of anyone, just the usual reminder that once you send a horse out in the world, even on loan, you have to accept some loss of control.
 
Not quite the same but mine did 16 years at a college before I got him. The standard of care is very good, I have 16 years of dental
notes and regular health check info. He is very well schooled has been worked correctly which has meant that he is still sound heading in his twilight years (although good confirmation and action have helped) However many colleges have limited, if any turn out during the week/term time. It can send some loopy.
 
My horse is on loan to Merrist wood, feel free to ask any questions. Shes been there 2 years abd I'm really happy with the set up and she's happy there and very well looked after.
 
Ditto what "Tarr Steps" has said basically.

If you're loaning out a horse, its no good being "precious" because whoever has him/her will manage/ride the horse in a totally different way from you.

Having put my cobbie boy out on loan twice, once to a riding school & once to equine college for two years, I'd far far rather any horse of mine went to equine college rather than a riding school.

He was at college for two years, was a green stroppy little git when he went there, and basically after two years he came home polite & responsive. He was always looked after impeccably while he was at college - and looked gorgeous. He was a popular horse and I was confident that he was loved and adored and given the very best of care. At the college where he was at it was possible for me as owner to ride him at least once a week so I was able to keep touching base with him. My boy has sweet itch and he was looked after at college very well and they tried really hard to manage his condition well; whereas at riding school he wasn't, the first weekend he was there they turned him out without his SI rug on despite me putting it in the contract and telling everyone.

Do bear in mind though that during the college holidays you will either have to pay to keep yours on at college on livery or you will have to bring him home.

College life may not suit some horses; its a busy, bustling environment and some horses may not settle, but most do. Also if yours is an older horse there may be certain activities you need to exclude i.e. jumping.

I'd be inclined to go along to the college your'e thinking about loaning to, and have a chat with them.
 
All Colleges vary in routine / pricing / level of horse needed etc etc.

Call the yard of your local college (not the main site :p) to chat to the staff about your horse. They will usually be honest about your horses suitability, they want him / her to settle as much as you do :)

Turning up unannounced can be an issue with child protection so I would double check with the college first :)
 
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