Going back to Uni - HELP

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polly1976

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I was wondering if anyone out there (horse owner) has gone back to full time university from full time employment, who has had a horse to keep.
i am hoping to go back to uni in either April/Sept 2012. But do not plan to sell my horse (15'2 Black ISH/ID).
Whilst i know i will have to move him from part/full livery (the joys of salary) to DIY and i will need to do the work, i am not sure how i can keep the costs down.
Anyone who currently DIY's etc got any money saving tips???
Thanks
 
Well I don't really have any mine saving tips, but I went to uni from full
Time employment and I also have a TBxID, but I find I afford him fine :-)
I just make sure I have my insurance if he does anything stupid!!!

he lives in in winter etc and out in summer, and I plan to compete him every other week this summer.

He's on full DIY apart from my friend doing the odd turnout, and in the summer holidays I get to ride for several hours a day 6 days a week- it's ace!!!

I do work 20hours a week though or I'd struggle.

Good luck at uni- I think you'll love it!!! Best thing I ever did, and I am glad I kept my horse!!
 
im at uni and full time work and i have two horses and just about manage. i have a cashbuilder acount and if i have any money left over from students loans and pay day i stick it in there.
bleed the goverment dry and get what you are entiteled to, grants ect!
 
Thanks China - as i am studying nursing i am entitled to a bursary, but unfortunately no grants etc. Do you bulk buy hay/feed etc? With DIY are you given your own place to store your hay/feed? (is it lockable?) xx
 
I went back to university Sept '10 and I'm so pleased I did :). I've got so much out of it already.
But I admit I found keeping my horse, keeping working (more so than before in order to pay uni fees, travel costs etc) and university too much. I ended up selling my chap as time just didn't permit me to fit everything in.
To consider my situation though, my course is classed as part time (though hours wise it really isn't!) so I'm not entitled to a student loan and as it's art based and I'm a mature student there's next to no government funding or financial help available. On top of this, my commuting costs to and from uni are over £70 a week. So mine is an extreme example!
Depending on what your course is, how you're studying and where you're based you might have lots of help at your disposal.

I do know people who worked, studied and kept horses through uni with no trouble (I did first time round!) so it's definately possible ;).
 
Thanks - sorry to hear you had to sell your chap - must have been hard. I have been told that in general i will be in uni for varied days a week, but the hours are not too long. When on placement its usually 3 long days or 5 short, so should be able to put in the time with my horse (and a few hours of p/t work to bump up the savings lol). Its not till next year so saving like mad.
Thanks for the tips though.
 
Hiya I went in 2006, after working for 4 years full time in a bar, I took my horse with me! It was hard but I sacrificed other things and worked- still went out loads etc tho! Qualified as a teacher last year and now doing a PhD (+another horse now) but I do also work 20 hours a week on top, but it's def do-able! Def go asap tho before they hike the tuition fees up! Good luck! If you're off to Leeds I know some stabels :D
 
My experience of uni is I do have plenty of time. I am personally very lucky as am on Part Livery due to sharing Pickle with my dad. However do think it would be possible, which uni you looking at?
 
As a Uni student myself I think it's safe to say that you will probably have enough time to get a part-time job to perhaps help with money. If not, why don't you consider getting a sharer- that way it will free up time for you to get work done etc? Other than that standard things like ordering in bulk, revise feeding program if horse is a good doer, there are lots more. You could even consider grass livery? Good luck! :)
 
Thanks guys - JessPickle off to Surrey (Guildford) hopefully (if not Canterbury or Greenwich)
GRass/DIY all considered. And will most def be getting a sharer. Sure there is someone lovely there that wants to ride!
 
china said:
im at uni and full time work and i have two horses and just about manage. i have a cashbuilder acount and if i have any money left over from students loans and pay day i stick it in there.
bleed the goverment dry and get what you are entiteled to, grants ect!
Click to expand...

If you dont mind me asking China, how are you managing to work full time and be at uni? your obviously not on a full time course
 
I went to Uni from full time employment back in 2003, and kept my 2 ponies the whole time I was there. It wasn't easy, I worked almost full time as well as Uni but I don't regret a thing about going back.

I was lucky enough to rent a house on a farm that had grazing and stabling, that really helped, if you are not looking at going into halls maybe you could look for a granny-annex type appartment with access to grazing? Few and far between I know, but if you offered to help with owners horses/dogs perhaps?

Good Luck, hope all goes well :D
 
Thanks Elleskywalker - think i will be avoiding halls as will feel a bit old for all those shannanigans again ;-).
The annexe sounds like an idea. Quite happy to live out near horse and drive/cycle in.
 
Hi

Well done on decicing to go back to uni, great decision, what are you studying?

I have returned to uni and Im in my second year. I worked pretty much full time for the first year and did my horse myself. It was too much. I was then very lucky to find the best sharer ever.

She helps financially and with mucking out etc. My boy is a 17.2 TB x han and 21 years old so he has to be stabled. I also like to make sure he is ridden 3 or 4 times a week to keep him fit and healthy.

He is on a yard where ad-lib haylage is included in the rent. This is great because I know that he will always have grub even if I cant afford to feed myself!

You will definatley need some sort of help, missing lectures for the farrier is not a good move. You are returning to university and it costs a lot so you really need to do well.

Basically what I am trying to say is it is possible but very hard work. If you can find a sharer, do it. It stops me feeling guilty when I rush down there and hardly spend anytime with my horse. I know he is getting lots of attention from his 'other mum'.

However your horse will be more of a benefit than a burden during this time. The best exam stress reliever ever is a gallop across the beach! I seriously do not think I would have got through the studying without having those precious few hours in the stable with my boy every week.

Good luck x
 
elsazzo said:
If you dont mind me asking China, how are you managing to work full time and be at uni? your obviously not on a full time course
Click to expand...

That's not strictly true.

I am in a full time course (now 2nd year) and for 1st year and a bit of second I was working 35 hours and going to 14 hours of uni.

ATM I am only working 20 hours, but I am looking for a bar job or something to top me up by 10 hours or so.

You CAN work full time AND be on a full time course, it's all about determination :):):)
 
Cadfael&Coffee said:
That's not strictly true.

I am in a full time course (now 2nd year) and for 1st year and a bit of second I was working 35 hours and going to 14 hours of uni.

ATM I am only working 20 hours, but I am looking for a bar job or something to top me up by 10 hours or so.

You CAN work full time AND be on a full time course, it's all about determination :):):)
Click to expand...

Yes, thats fine when you are in 1st/2nd year. Believe me when you get to 4th year its so much more demanding. I am currently doing my dissertation and there it would not be possible to hold down a full time job. I am only in class for 2hours per week but the rest of the time I need to be researching or writing up my project, (or mucking out my horse!) i also have a house to run and a job to work at the weekends and believe you me - i dont need to be told about determination
 
Thanks Twellis.
I am hoping to do nursing. I am aware of the hours of study etc and know how i can fit in extra work etc (and the horse ;-)
I hoep to find a wonderful sharer similar to you. I myself was a loaner/sharer for many years so i know there are people out there who are prepared to pay a bit for the chance of riding/caring for a lovely horse.
Good luck with the rest of your degree! :-)
 
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