Going to uni - looking for advice

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Mollybea

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Hiya, I was just looking for some advice really! I’m going to be going to uni soon, and I can’t take my pony with me, so she’ll be staying at our current livery yard, looked after by my parents. They love her a lot but ultimately are quite inexperienced, and I’m worried they don’t fully know how to look after her. They know the absolute basics but essentially treat her much like a dog if that makes sense lol. But they don’t really know how to groom / how to use each different brush, how to tie her up properly, how to pick out feet etc. we’re on a busy livery yard so there will be people to help, but whenever I’ve raised my concerns they’ve told me that it’s fine and they know what they’re doing. I have tried to teach them how to do xyz as well occasionally but they quickly forget and I find myself getting frustrated with them, which doesn’t help anything. I also admit I’m not the best teacher, and im bad at explaining things. I have suggested getting a loan for her, so I know she’s with someone horsey, but my parents said that it was fine and they wanted to look after her (and I am hesitant to loan her anyway as she can be sensitive to change and things) . I have a friend helping exercise her whilst I do exams and offered to continue when I’m at uni as well, which is helpful. She’s like my baby lol. I also don’t want to come across ungrateful , as I massively approacte having a pony at all let alone my parents looking after her at uni, I am just slightly worried and not sure how to address the issue! Sorry for the long post! Any help is appreciated!
 
I understand your hesitation as I occasionally get a bit uptight if someone does something differently to me but in reality my horses don’t seem to care at all.
So I will just say what wonderful parents you have to support you. I don’t think my dad has so much as touched one of mine never mind helped me with anything, your folks sound lovely. ☺️

I was going to suggest getting a share if she was ridden but after reading your friend will be riding her then I reckon your horse will be in good hands.
 
I would say that you are OK as your friend will be able to spot any issues.

I also agree that horses can be done a number of ways...

Until a couple of years ago, I was very fussy. My horses and beds were immaculate. I was all into competing and training.

Then, my husband died unexpectedly. My priorities changed. My horses were no longer groomed before being turned out, this would have been unthinkable before. My grey had gone to clinics with poo stains, again, this would have been unthinkable. They get shaggy and stay out in the rain. Stables may be done on the morning but, of they are out for the day, it may wait until evening. I let a novice ride my horse. Breakfast is no longer 7am. As for tack, I wipe the worst off if I think it will rub but otherwise, I now only clean tack if it has got wet, just for the leather.

Some things I do keep, such as feet picked daily and poo picked from fields daily for worm control, but pretty much everything else is now negotiable.

The horses have been fine!
 
I’m sure they’ll be fine, but I do understand the worry. If it helps settle your mind, you could try giving them a bit of a boot camp “pony day”?

You could also make some laminated process sheets for them for each care area? Info and details for her feed (including measures, frequency), grooming, rug types and weights, feet etc. Then you could pop these in a folder or binder and keep with her things so they have quick reference when at the yard. Even including visuals and photos?

I’m a geek, sorry.
 
KatieDM said:
I’m sure they’ll be fine, but I do understand the worry. If it helps settle your mind, you could try giving them a bit of a boot camp “pony day”?

You could also make some laminated process sheets for them for each care area? Info and details for her feed (including measures, frequency), grooming, rug types and weights, feet etc. Then you could pop these in a folder or binder and keep with her things so they have quick reference when at the yard. Even including visuals and photos?

I’m a geek, sorry.
Click to expand...
I really like both these ideas, thank you!
 
Mmm. I can see where you’re coming from but be assured that other people at your yard will keep an eye out.

But if it helps you then maybe find someone who on the yard to whom your parents could go ask for help or advice? Ask that person if they’d mind if mum and dad asked things here or there?
 
It will be fine, you are very lucky that your parents are willing to do this for you!!

If it doesn’t work out you could always find somewhere closer to uni where you can keep them on livery, or find a sharer or loaner person who can have your horse for you. I think it will be fine though!!
 
They’ll be fine. If you’re on livery no one is going to sit by and watch them struggle or indeed miss something obvious health wise.

Neither of my parents are horsey but are absolutely well intentioned. I don’t leave mine with them often but they’ve never yet not coped, and they know who to call in an emergency. Ok, they don’t do things exactly how I’d do it myself, but if they’re kind enough to be helping me out I have no leg to stand on.

You’ll probably find they flourish without you there to be honest. I mean that with kindness! A very basic example, my mum can tie a hay net up fine when I’m not there, if I’m watching she gets in a right mess!
 
Ponies don’t care if they get groomed by the correct brush or not. They care if they are pain free, fed and watered, have mates and shelter. Beyond that it is only what we humans want to do to them. Go and enjoy uni and appreciate your parents massively for wanting to be involved.
 
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