Full livery, full time mum, and a job

[Horsemaddani]

hi all! So Im sure this has been asked a lot but I'm a mum to 2 kids ages 10 and 4 (just about to start school). I work Tuesday to Friday from 8am-6pm and have Mondays and weekends free. I am desperate to have a horse of my own but would a horse be happy on full livery with me only being able to ride 3 days per week? Would I need to have someone on the yard ride him the other 4 days? What would be the best way forward. Thanks for all the advice!!!

 

[Gingerwitch]

Get a share ?
If your not wanting to do long fast or hard riding I don't think pony would object to 4 days off a week, unless horse had little or no turn out. But you would have to be considerate to the horse s fitness, welfare to do this, even if yard could lunge x 1 and he went on walker x 2 it would help. But please don't be cruel and expect him to compete, or do long pleasure rides, 3 days on the bounce as some will run on adrenaline, and the rider thinks they are fine, but end up with an injury or become sore and sour.

 

[meleeka]

Will you even have time in those 3 days? Presumably your kids would need some of your time too? I’m not sure the cost would even be worth it tbh. If money is no object then pay someone to ride the other days? I do know someone who only saw her horse at weekends. Personally I couldn’t see the point in spending £500+ each month when a lesson per week at a good riding school would have been much less.

 

[AUB]

I have a 3 year old son, a fulltime job + commute and a dressage horse on full livery. I have a very sweet girl that comes twice a week and hacks out. She’s a student at university and can’t afford a horse of her own and she just enjoys hacking out and getting some fresh air and a horse cuddle. It’s perfect for both of us and for the horse. She pays half the farrier.

I ride 3-4 days a week, she rides 2 and then the horse has a day off.

 

[Horsemaddani]

Thats great thanks guys. I think a share is probably the way to go. I'm at my current riding school regularly but I'm now at a stage where I need to progress further on more advanced horses. I'm in complete awe of people who have jobs, kids and horses and are still able to compete. As for my glorious kiddies my eldest is a competitive gymnast so she would be in the gym whilst I ride and my youngest also gets plenty of quality time with both mummy and daddy.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Doesn’t a parent stay with a 10yo competitive gymnast while they train?

ETA They do in these parts.

 

[Horsemaddani]

No they don't.....no parents allowed in the gym. 4 to 5 hour training sessions as well.

 

[Horsemaddani]

I have a 3 year old son, a fulltime job + commute and a dressage horse on full livery. I have a very sweet girl that comes twice a week and hacks out. She’s a student at university and can’t afford a horse of her own and she just enjoys hacking out and getting some fresh air and a horse cuddle. It’s perfect for both of us and for the horse. She pays half the farrier.

I ride 3-4 days a week, she rides 2 and then the horse has a day off.

You're living my dream ??

 

[Ossy2]

I think a horse can be happy in full livery being ridden 3 times a week as long as it’s the right horse for those needs and the full livery set up includes a decent amount of turnout. Summer is one thing winter is another, we have good winter turnout compared to some in our area but even then they do need to stay in some days, on those days me riding my horse is the only time it gets out it’s stable that day and essential I get down to the yard and exercise on those type of days.
Also the right horse, you say you need a more advanced horse to progress be careful in that sense more advanced horses tend to be more advanced because they are trained to be so regularly each week so be careful not to over horse.
To see how you get on with ur time why don’t you Be the sharer for 2 to 3 times a week rather than buying a horse and getting a sharer.

 

[ForeverBroke_]

I think that its great that you want your own hobby. Working and being a full time parent doesn't give you a lot of time to un-wind and be your own human!!

Your horse would be absolutely fine on full livery. Whether you go for a place with exercising included or not (or get a sharer) or nothing extra at all will be up to you, but in winter my horse only gets ridden 3/4 times a week and that does him absolutely fine. He does get all day turn out every day however.

Good luck, and enjoy!

 

[pinkypug1]

I have 2 kids (5&9) and work full time
Mon-fri 8.30-4.30 I have 2 horses, pony & donkey. I only ride one horse had her on livery for 5 years went from part to full livery about 2 years ago and wondered why I hadnt done it sooner. She was in a great routine and I spent quality time with her at the yard rather than rushing to fit everything in. I rode 3 days and she had daily turnout & Walker/lunge also. She is now at home with the others but I honestly do miss livery!! Good luck with it all

 

[S.AAnderson]

Its absolutely doable. I work full time and have 2 kids (4 & 2.5), my horse is currently on part livery and lives out 24/7 (I am based in Sydney). I only ride 3 times a week at most, granted its not particularly leisurely BUT I wouldn't change it for the world. You just have to be good with time management!

When finding my new horse one of my pre-requisites was that he/she didn't require daily work to retain a level head- make sure you ask the same. Assuming your horse will have access to daily turn out & you don't plan on high level competitions they will be fine.

Good luck

 

[Nedley]

Hi, I would say yes definitely doable. I've got three children who are 5, 3 and 1 and I work three days and some additional 'floating' hours as and when throughout the week. I have a beautiful 13.2 (with shoes!) gelding. I purposefully bought a pony that I could ride and my children could enjoy. I chose temperament and safety over a competition horse. He's a very sweet boy who was already in the routine of being ridden 2-3 times a week and even though he's 6 hes just great and very level headed. We have lots of turnout and a stable and he's in a bit in the day at the moment depending on flies etc..i'm lucky that my mum also has a horse at the same yard and i have lots of support and help which is very appreciated as it makes it possible. so i could suggest a yard who offers livery or a friend who can help when needed.

I had a 15.3 who I sadly lost after having my second baby, and in a previous life enjoyed being reasonably competitive but i was honest with myself when i looked for my pony and purposefully went for a pony who we would enjoy and that we'd be a good fit for too. I know so many people who have been over horsed either b/c they bought a horse that they couldn't keep in the routine they needed or thought they were ready for a finely tuned horse after progressing at a riding school only to find that the horse is quite different in another environment and it's then no fun at all and nobody benefits...

what an essay! in summary i would say yes, chose wisely and enjoy!

 

[MuddyMonster]

If you buy the right horse and are mindful of the fitness limitations, then I think it's more than possible.

You might struggle if the horse has 4 consecutive days off on your first ridden day if they are fresh (especially if on limited turn out over winter) but if you buy a suitable temperament horse, it shouldn't be a huge factor. Fitness is likely to be your limiting factor.

But, going to owning a horse from riding at a RS is still a big adjustment, no matter how steady the horse and how good the livery yard, so I think sharing is a good idea. You could even share whilst still having lessons.

Or, if you want to continue progressing your riding at a RS - check out other riding schools and equestrian centres. Some riding schools offer lessons on Grand Prix dressage horses and very smart jumping horses.

If you do go down the buying route, do consider invest in some stable management lessons as well as riding lessons too, even though you're planning on keeping him or her on full livery.

 

[Quadro]

I have a full time job. Doing a part time masters, and have 7 horses that compete. I have them at home but I do it all myself. Very possible if you are dedicated

 

[Equine_Dream]

Where would I start? Step one get rid of the kids.... ?
In all seriousness I work full time but keep my horses on DIY livery (no kids can you tell I'm not the least bit maternal?) Are my horses ridden as often as I would like? Probably not. Do my horses care? Definitely not.
It all depends what you want to do with your horses. If you want to be out competing at a high level then you will probably need horses worked 5/6 days a week. If you are happy pottering around country lanes/low level competitions/the occasional fun ride etc then I wouldn't be too concerned with riding your horse most days.
You could always find a reliable sharer to help exercise your horse. If they are flexible on days it's also easier to fit riding in around your commitments with your children to.

 

[mariew]

Definitely share if you are only going to ride 3 days / week. At least to start, before you jump in with two feet into the deep end. Full livery is really expensive, horses break and you can't walk away, with shares you can. Shoes, insurance, vets, teeth, stuff etc on top. Even with a cheap full livery I reckon you could easily be spending 7k or more per year for the basics, not including competition fees, outings, petrol to get there etc etc. That's £45 per ride lol. But then money and owning a horse is never something you should think too hard about or you'll always be horrified.