Going from 1 horse to 2?!

C

chestnuttyy

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 November 2011
Messages
557
Visit site
Just after some general opinions here... costs aside, how much extra work is having 2 horses (currently have 1). Potential addition is 21, semi retired, generally easy to do and would just be doing a bit of hacking.

Obviously there's an extra one to muck out and poo pick, but if they're kept at the same yard is it REALLY that much extra? Could also think of getting a sharer maybe?

FYI I work LONG days...

Just after opinions... :) x
 
I had two horses having told myself that it wasn't much more work than having one - wrong! Yes, you can probably turn them out/catch them in together and carry two haynet at the same time but apart from that the more time consuming jobs - mucking out, grooming, riding, poo picking will take twice as long to do two as it does to do one - unless you have someone to help you.
 
I went from one to two a couple of years ago - I don't find it much harder work really - obviously the livery is double and feed etc, but timewise, I don't find it much harder - its just a case of being organised!!
 
Depends on the horse.. Two of my clean horse would be easy, two of my stable trashing horse would be hard work! Catching etc is same with two as one. Poo picking doesn't seem any different to me when we had four, three or two! The main difference is riding - I don't go as far as I used to as there is always another to ride (and groom first etc) and double tack to clean etc. Also clipping and trimming feels like a mega job with more than one! Theres always something that needs doing. Its also a bigger dig to find money for insurance and farriers etc.
 
Lol 2 very different answers! I'm minded to think it isn't THAT much extra work but then I also might have my head in the clouds!!. She's a v easy horse who would essentially be living a happy retired life (maybe a few hacks as I said!).

I really hate hard decisions...
 
I had two horses before for many years but found it too much hassle, and felt I could not give each horse the attention it deserved. I now have 1 and would never go back to 2.
 
Ive had 1 then 2 then 1 then 2 then 1 then 2 again lol!

So have 2 now that are in full competition work! It is time consuming - but then i would only save 15 mins each morning mucking out and changing rugs. I deep litter mon to fri so guess would save an hour at the end of each week sorting her bed. But ut does quickly add up if i want to ride and muck out both. 3 hours is a big difference to 1 and a half!!
 
Agree with honey...depends on horse. I had a really lovely easy chap....bought.my.mare &.it.felt really hardwork. Eventually put him out on loan, but it didn't get much easier...mare is a tad high maintenance! ;)
 
showjumpingfilly said:
Ive had 1 then 2 then 1 then 2 then 1 then 2 again lol!

So have 2 now that are in full competition work! It is time consuming - but then i would only save 15 mins each morning mucking out and changing rugs. I deep litter mon to fri so guess would save an hour at the end of each week sorting her bed. But ut does quickly add up if i want to ride and muck out both. 3 hours is a big difference to 1 and a half!!
Click to expand...

One will be a companion/ odd quiet plod out (she's semi retired atm)... so would you say not much extra in terms of time?

Reason this is so hard is head is telling me 'no, you're busy enough'... heart is saying have her (she was my first pony 13 years ago and has been in the family most her life)...
 
showjumpingfilly said:
Ive had 1 then 2 then 1 then 2 then 1 then 2 again lol!

So have 2 now that are in full competition work! It is time consuming - but then i would only save 15 mins each morning mucking out and changing rugs. I deep litter mon to fri so guess would save an hour at the end of each week sorting her bed. But ut does quickly add up if i want to ride and muck out both. 3 hours is a big difference to 1 and a half!!
Click to expand...

Yes, keeping two competition fit is hard work!
My 'second string' (as my hacking companion puts it) only hacks and does the odd dressage test/schooling session. He is helpful when I'm learning a test and I don't want the competition pony to remember it!
Chores don't seem to take much longer - maybe I'm kidding myself though :)
A supportive OH is invaluable however.
 
I did the same this year and have found it incredibly hard, especially now the days are shorter. I have one older boy (17yo) who mostly hacks and hunts and the new one, a 6yo Connie type. I've found having two a massive strain on finances and on my time. I rarely ride the older horse now - today I managed to hack him and school the baby... got to yard for around 5.30pm and left at 8.45pm. That time included mucking out etc both too. The older boy is on long term loan and is going back to his owners in Nov which, although I am upset about because I adore him, it will help my finances and time a lot.

I have a sharer for the older one but even then I don't feel either horse gets the attention they deserve. I wouldn't go back to having two again, once the older boy has gone.
 
I think its the riding that is the big bit so with a companion i think your actual chores time won't be a huge difference. I'd go for it - i know i'd jump at the chance to have an old pony of mine back.

And i alternate which days i ride mine too to save a bit of time each day. Or lunge both.
 
Tbh its not much extra, it takes me 45 minutes to muck out, bed down, do waters and make nets and feeds. obvs when exercising them it add's extra time but i don't really find it harder at all.
 
showjumpingfilly said:
I think its the riding that is the big bit so with a companion i think your actual chores time won't be a huge difference. I'd go for it - i know i'd jump at the chance to have an old pony of mine back.

And i alternate which days i ride mine too to save a bit of time each day. Or lunge both.
Click to expand...

I know... i feel as though I owe it to her to have her back (I'm too soft). She's not been ridden in about 1.5years, so I know retirement life suits her down to the ground!! As long as she's got lots of friends, grass, hay, a stable when it's cold and a bucket to tuck into twice a day she's a big happy girlie :)
 
Yes the fact that he will be semi-retired and not be ridden much will help a lot. Won't need trimming etc.

Two that need riding/keeping fit is hard. Like today, I only did short 45 mins rides with my two, which when you factor in grooming and tacking up/untacking and re rugging as well, took all afternoon. I could have gone out for two hours with just one horse..
 
mandwhy said:
Aww having your first pony back! I don't have two but I do fancy the idea of having an older 'spare horse' and I'm sure I will end up with one one day!
Click to expand...

Lol, want one?

Think there'd be a happy hacker who might want to come up and take her out (no pennies required) and maybe do a few jobs on the days they rode? Do these things generally work? I have no idea...
 
If it's your first pony I think you just have to have her back :)

I have three, but only one is in regular work and I agree with others, it is the riding bit that takes the time. So if the oldie doesn't need ( regular) work, I shouldn't think you'd find too much of a drain on time. As for chores, you find ways to save time- fill all haynets and bag up feeds at the weekend, etc. The yard you are at also makes a huge difference. My new yard is so convenient- water, storage, fields, muck heap all close by. I also love that my horses always have company.

Another horse is going to take more time and cost more so I think the biggest thing to consider is are you going to enjoy it and not feel resentful? One of mine is my faithful old first pony and I don't begrudge a minute I spend taking care of her- I feel privileged to have been able to provide her with the safe and happy retirement she deserves. Likewise, my other two are great and I love every second I spend with them.

BUT it does help having a great yard manager/friend/helper to take the pressure off when you need a break!
 
Well... I think I'm going to put feelers out for a sharer/ helper. There must be someone who'd ride a bombproof oldie out a few times a week in exchange for a bit of help?

Btw I love how I've referred to her as a pony... I've probably conjured up the picture of a 12.2!! Failed to mention my first 'pony' is actually a 14.3 Clyde X!
 
Aww a little clydie will take up no room at all! My horse lives out so it wouldn't really make much difference to me :-)

I like the idea of bringing a friend out on a steady oldie, so I can have someone to ride with more often, or even my BF when he feels brave enough to try it! And if you have a horse that can be silly or young, I think it would be great to have a 'rock' to keep your confidence up :-)
 
I was going to post & say I'd never have 2 again, it is tough doing 2, especially when you work long hours, and I don't think I'd ever do it again.

However, I agree, you have to have your first horse back :D Yes you should easily be able to find a sharer for her, especially if you're not looking for much financial contribution & just some help with the chores. If either of mine were easy happy hackers, I would get someone to help out this way, which would make life bearable :rolleyes:
 
I had 2 when my oldie was getting too old to ride every day. I found it hard to find the time to exercise both esp in winter.

I then retired him which was easier. It's the filling of haynets for the week on a Sunday and scrubbing the buckets out etc as it does take double. Farrier becomes a 2 hour job so no doing in my lunch hour. I also felt bad if I needed to ask someone to do them say if I was working late. 2 horses to check/feed/rug is a bigger job than just one.

But having 2 was great, I was so independent as they would be in/out together and no checking what time I had to be there so he wasn't left. If one was lame I had another to ride or a friend could come and we would take both out. So there are advantages!
 
Sorry havent read all responses... But from what you say about her being 21 and semi retired id see it more as a companion woth the added bonus of a hack now.and then so wouldnt consider it much extra work at all, as long.as the horse is easy to do, catch etc x
 
I gained another one in May, my first is now retired which makes life slightly easier but she still has to be walked out each day.
I mucked out, brushed off nd turned out in 45mins this morning and with one it used to take me 1/2 hour but I probably spent more time brushing etc. Oh and mine are really messy mares. I'd go for it! You won't get another opportunity make the most of it :)
 
Definitly go for it! Round here you wouldn't have any trouble getting a helper but I know its different in other areas. But even if you don't find one, one working and one semi-retired should be relatively easy. Like others have said, its the riding that takes the time. I had 3 in work on DIY whilst working full-time (also 4 kids) and it was hard but worth the effort. Good luck. :)
 
I also work long hours and going from 1 to 2 helped me soooo much!
I just switched to rubber matting (which saves mega time mucking out in mornings) fill my nets at night when you're chatting to mates!

I am always first and last up so having one was a nightmare - she hated being out on her own - with two she always has that company and Im no longer rushing like an idiot to get her in with the others ... my time is more important that the money although I understand it's not always that easy ...

With a foal on the way - will I feel the same about 3????? :eek: :D
 
I went from 1 to 3 very quickly, and I find it fine. They live out most of the year though, and it is hard work on the few occasions they stay in. But I counter this by deep littering and stuffing a lot of haynets in advance, so I don't have to do 9 haynets every night! Only one of mine is ridden and the other two are retired, we rub along pretty well :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top