Financial crisis - advice please

[FestiveFuzz]

I am in floods of tears as I write this so please bear with me if it's a little disconnected.

Basically I have just entered my final year of university and it has suddenly dawned on me that I need to cut down my hours at work in order to give my final assignments and dissertation the attention they need. However having sat down and worked out my finances once I'm on my lower wage, it has become scarily obvious that my outgoings now far exceed my incoming wage and that were I not to have Indy my outgoings would be fairly manageable.

The problem is I can't bear to part with Indy, as she is my world & I'm sure most of you can relate with me when I say I love her more than anything.

Our situation is a strange one as I have Indy on full loan as her owner is terminally ill and can't afford to keep her, and at present I keep her on full livery and pay all of her bills (works out at around £350p/m). I have asked the YO if it is possible to move her to part livery but have been told this is really not an option, so I'm unsure of what to do next. I am reluctant to move Indy as she needs special management and the current YO is totally aware of her needs.

Realistically it looks like my options are to either move yards or to give Indy up.

I know that before I took Indy on her owner was looking to have her put down as they couldn't find anyone who wanted her and couldn't afford to keep her themselves and I'm terrified this will be what happens if I do give her up.

Please can someone come up with a magical answer that solves all of this as I am far too upset right now to think straight.

 

[merlinsquest]

Only thing I could suggest is to get a sharer, but i realise that this may be difficult as she doesnt actually belong to you....

Why wont the YO put your livery down to part.... and what special needs does she have that would prevent you from moving her??

 

[Nailed]

move her
lou x

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I don't really understand why we can't move down to part livery but the YO said it was because she has a waiting list of people wanting a box. Not entirely sure what difference this makes as Indy would still have a box either way.

She has to be stabled away from other horses and have her own field as if she is kept with other horses she gets colic (to the point she had an operation a few years back). The vet thinks it is down to hormonal changes, so obviously moving her could pose a risk.

I really don't know what to do for the best

 

[Smash]

Are there any other yards nearby to you where you could put her on part livery? As long as you have an understanding YO, you can explain her needs in advance and chances are they will be able to help in that respect.
Would you be able to contact the owner and ask her persmission for you to find someone to share/loan her for a year/18 months until you are in a better position?

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I am going to speak to the YO tomorrow and explain my situation and hope we can find some solution.

I have looked into getting a bar job as well as working my part time job but feel that would eat into the spare time I have to ride and be with my horse, so it's a catch 22 situation, as I really can't see the point of working my a$$ off if i'm not going to get a chance to spend time with Indy, plus right now my degree really does have to be my main focus.

I am currently having a look as to whether there are any yards nearer to us that would offer part livery and whether that would cut my outgoings enough to make it worth moving her.

 

[Ginn]

[ QUOTE ]
I have looked into getting a bar job as well as working my part time job .

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't!! Havingh just completed my final year you are going to need every spare minute you can get!! In all honesty I found myself barely even seeing mine for more than 20 mins a day between Xmas and March and between March and May I would only see her 20 mins a couple of times a week as I was so short for time. Does she have to be stabled? If not, could she go on grass livery (usually very cheap!) on her own. Failing that I would phone her owners and ask them if they would be happy for you to find a sharer for the next 8 months and explain why - if you are able to get a sharer I'd still still her on part livery if you can and cut back your work hours as much as possible. It sounds harsh but the next 6 months pretty much dictate your future so please don't screw it up!

 

[Chestnuttymare]

ditto the sharer suggestion, but sometimes it can take some time to find the right person. can you not explain to the yo the situation and could she not let you go to part livery just til you get sorted. hate to suggest it, but would your folks help out for a wee bit. moving her would be difficult as she has to be pretty much kept on her own and not many places will cater for her.
what a shame, but it will get sorted.

 

[CBAnglo]

Basically the YO is saying that she has plenty of people who want the box and are willing to pay full livery - hence if she lets you have part she is losing money.

I would find a part livery yard somewhere else, get a sharer or turn her away for the next 8 months if that is feasible. Moving is stressful but most horses settle down once they are in a routine. Surely she must have been moved before? And lots of places have individual turnout. Not sure about a stable on her own though - never heard of a horse getting colic by being around other horses would have thought the stress of being alone (as they are herd animals) would be more likely to bring on colic? Can she not have something to regulate hormones?

As someone else has already said, the next 8 months determine your future. In this kind of economic climate it is going to be hard enough for graduates to get jobs in the next 12-24 months without having to explain bad grades by saying you had to look after your horse. Potential employers (unless they are horse owners) do not care.

 

[VLHIEASTON]

No good vet would put a healthy animal to sleep, are you sure her 'needs' would dictate this ?

I suggest telling YO that unless you can do part livery there,you will have to reluctantly move yards.

 

[ladyt25]

Move her either to a part livery or even grass livery - honestly, horses survive! Either that or sub-loan her to someone either at current yard or another (providing owner agrees). We all imagine horses get upset by change of environment when, in reality they don't really care a while lot, provided they get fed and watered and have shelter they are fine.

Have you thought also of maybe loaning her to an equine college or would she not be suitable for this? Sorry, I do not know the circumstances of the horse or whether she has particular problems. I think you have a load of options though to be honest and I really wouldn't get overly upset about it. There must be tonnes of yards out there surely? If it was a gelding and you lived in Yorks i'd take her for a year - am a sucker for coloureds!

You'll find a solution I am sure.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I have looked into getting a bar job as well as working my part time job .

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't!! Havingh just completed my final year you are going to need every spare minute you can get!! In all honesty I found myself barely even seeing mine for more than 20 mins a day between Xmas and March and between March and May I would only see her 20 mins a couple of times a week as I was so short for time. Does she have to be stabled? If not, could she go on grass livery (usually very cheap!) on her own. Failing that I would phone her owners and ask them if they would be happy for you to find a sharer for the next 8 months and explain why - if you are able to get a sharer I'd still still her on part livery if you can and cut back your work hours as much as possible. It sounds harsh but the next 6 months pretty much dictate your future so please don't screw it up!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks so much for this, I know it sounds silly but I have doubted myself in the last few hours, thinking maybe I'm being silly about the amount of time uni will take up now, but this has just confirmed to me I am being realistic.

I guess I am just scared that once I graduate I may need to move to London and it is going to be hard enough finding my feet without having to consider Indy as well.

Please don't think I'm being heartless as this horse is my life, but I really can't afford to pay out as much as I currently do and am trying to work out what is the fairest option for her. The frustrating thing is I know that this is temporary and that even a full time retail job after uni would pay enough to support my outgoings.

Indy isn't young, nor is she an easy ride as she is extremely hot headed at times and needs a quiet yet capable rider, which is why I am worried about being able to find someone willing to take her on. Especially considering the current climate where people are wanting to spend less on luxuries, not more!

 

[Ginn]

I don't think you are being harsh at all - just realistic. If you do well in your degree (which is going to be hugely hindered if you are working long hours to keep a horse) then you are going to be in a far better position to land yourself a reasonable job with a decent salary which will enable you to support a horse once you've graduated. Although it is incredibly difficult, it is much better to make some sacrifices now to benefit your future then live thinking what if or I wish I'd worked harder and put myself first.

Also, as much as you love her, she is at the end of the day not yours. If you gave her back then save the money you'd be spending on her to put towards something that is yours. Equally, if her owners would have her pts if she went back, offer them £1 for her and then she is yours to put on loan/share.

Good luck

 

[sarah23]

[ QUOTE ]
Our situation is a strange one as I have Indy on full loan as her owner is terminally ill and can't afford to keep her.

I know that before I took Indy on her owner was looking to have her put down as they couldn't find anyone who wanted her and couldn't afford to keep her themselves and I'm terrified this will be what happens if I do give her up.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not really an answer to you question but why don't you ask the owner to sign the horse over to you.
A: if they can't afford to look after it themselves and it would be put down, also if the owner is terminally ill, That way they are sure the horse has a good home.
B: also that way it is your horse and no problem about loaning the horse.

I say this because what will happen to the horse when the inevitable happens to the owner.

Also you say you love the horse to bits and don't want to give it up. You are paying a lot of money for the horse for it to maybe taken away from you in the end anyway.

Sorry if i have just given you even more to think about.

 

[Missmac]

Have pm-ed you.

 

[kerilli]

I agree with Ginn, your finals are SO important, you need to have the time to revise properly. Fwiw I sent my horse home to be chucked out in a field for my final term and exams, no way could I find the time to drive to and from livery and ride every day. (and, believe it or not, many many years later, i still have "day of Finals, haven't done any revision" nightmares...!) You will really regret it if you do not give them the time and effort they need.
the suggestions above, to get her signed over to you and get a sharer, or to chuck her out in a field at grass livery, are good ones. I have never heard of a herd animal that couldn't cope with company, she must have had a very traumatic time, if she can't, poor girl.
very very best of luck.

 

[SpruceRI]

If you really can't bear to lose her I'd find grazing and just chuck her out. You can ride her at the weekends or when you have time and a quick check twice a day isn't the same as all the kerfuffle with riding.

 

[mickey]

From what you have said;

I really don't think you should give the horse up -she is clearly one of the largest, most important parts of your life.

BUT I really think you have to cut costs. Either coming to some arrangement with the current yard, or moving yards (which is most probably what needs to happen).

Not sure about the loaning thing - could be complex. I really think you need to move yards or get financial help from family......or even discuss £ with the horse's owner and see if they would contribute, given that you have had a good relationship with the horse. They may not want to lose you.

 

[machannah]

i will second everything that has been said, i had my horse at uni for 2 years, she went home and was turned away for my final year, she went back home at Christmas in my final year when i did and didnt come back with me in Jan

Thankfully my Dad helped look after her whilst I was away, and i made sure any weekends i could go home, i did

Best of luck with whatever you decide

 

[gothdolly]

I really think you need to look after yourself here and your education/future. and I agree with previous posters who said that this horse, being a loan horse, might be taken away from you anyway....

I think trying to get the horse sold to you for a nominal amount and finding a grass livery till you graduate is a good idea. But please dont jeopodise your future over her.

Cassandra

 

[cariad]

So do I and I graduated in 1984! -nightmares, that is. But then when I did my post grad finals, I got two exams the wrong way round and was confronted with a paper in the morning that I thought was in the afternoon and vice versa. Still passed, though.

With regard to the horse problem, they really can just be turned away and live quite basically without any ill effects for what is a relatively short period of time. Now we have our own land, my four were turned out in March on grass with a field shelter and are still out and still unrugged and look absolutely fine. I don't groom them much to keep the grease in their coats and their shoes are off except for one of them. They have existed on vast quantities of plain grass. I was always someone who did everything by the book, but I have been so surprised at how well they look on a much less intensive regime. They are also much more relaxed. In winter, they have very heavy duty rugs and neck covers and a bucket of hard feed and hay out and do come in at night, but not till December. I suspect they would have been ok out through the winter, but wasn't brave enough to try that! Would it be possible to find some grazing near to the university and just try roughing her off?

I had a similar problem with one horse when I was made redundant, but the solution was to put the horse out on loan to a university which has worked brilliantly, but then perhaps it just suits my horse and may not suit this one.

I agree that it is not worth jeopardising a degree for a horse. You get one crack at this, you'll have worked hard so far and it's short term pain for long term gain. I now earn enough to have 5 horses and 11 acres - I don't say that by way of boasting; it's been a lot of hard work, but also the dream. I wouldn't if I'd blown the degree all those years ago, short of marrying a rich man, of course, but that can't be guaranteed!

 

[Angua2]

I agree with everything said. Your finals are important as they can make or break the rest of your life. I would find somewhere that does grass livery, invest in a good rug and chuck her out for the remaining time of your final year. I also agree that you should try and get her signed over to you too.

 

[cheekycharley]

This is a worrying post..... in terms of time (going slightly away from the horse topic here...) etc seeing as i am entering 3rd/4th/final year! I think i may be slightly underestimating how much time this is all going to take up??? I thought it would all be fine...maybe im wrong - some advice i was given was to start work at normal working hours at i will done by 12 each day (in the afternoon i assumed!) Getting back to being a student after a years working could be harder than i thought!

Back to the horsey stuff - personally i would def try and get the horse signed over to you so that you are in control. Whatever happens though i think its important to keep the horse as uni wont go on for ever and I find it really nice after having a rough day at uni to be able to go home and ride my horse.

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I just want to say thank you to everyone for their advice so far and the PMs I've received, i'm so glad nobody has thought bad of me for considering my options right now.

The YO is pretty much my only point of contact with the owner (I do have her details somewhere but considering the circumstances try to bother her as little as possible!) and from what I have gathered it has been agreed that if anything were to happen to the owner, Indy would be passed over to me, which is why I've never really worried about the amount I spend out on her. I think I would just feel bad requesting ownership now as the horse has great sentimental value to her owner even if circumstances dictate that she can't really visit often, plus considering I'm doubting my ability to financially care for Indy I would just worry that it is adding more stress to my plate right now.

I will definitely mention turning her out for the rest of the year to the YO tomorrow and am also quietly hoping that she may have some other suggestions as to how I can minimise my costs.

Fingers crossed I guess x

 

[2K85]

Totally sympathise with your situation, but as others have said - don't risk your degree (or your sanity!) by working more hours. Have a chat with the owner if you can - they may be more than happy to help out for a bit or discuss the livery arrangements with the YO themselves. Afterall, the owner probably appreciates having a caring, permanent person to look after Indy esp. if she has particular needs. Don't despair - something will work itself out - and good luck with that final year!

 

[mickey]

I think I suggested before trying to get the owner to make a £ contribution, at least until you finish your studies.

I really think sitting down with owner and explaining how much you love the horse, don't want to part with her, but are in a £ quandry, will be your best option by far. She will want to keep hold of you as loaner, and I expect she will openly wish to help in whatever way she can. Good luck.

 

[OWLIE185]

I appreciate the sensitivity of the situation you find yourself in bu if you intend continuuing to keep the horse on and with no disrepect to anyone I would ensure that you have a letter from the owner agreeing that she sell's you the horse for a small amount say £20.00. The last thing you want is the familly taking the horse away from you when the owner dies and believe me this happens.

You need the horse in your ownership now so that you have complete control over it and are not restricted in how you want to manage it by your yard owner or the owner of the horse.

 

[mickey]

I do agree with Owlie185's post.