Hartpury College Loan Yard

[horsemad9999]

Does anyone have a horse currently on loan at Hartpury College? or are you a student at Hartpury College who works on the loan Yard?

Can you tell me what it is like, How are the horses cared for, what is the standard of the students riding the horses?

I am thinking of considering loaning my horse, but I have heard very mixed reports and a lot of comment on here are out of date.

 

[smellsofhorse]

My horse went there for 3 month.
He seemed fine when he came home.

But reports from a friend who was studying there said very little turn out and not enough hay, he would run out after and hour, that was his night ration.
He had dropped a bit if weight but nothing worrying whether it would have been worse if he was there longer who knows.

 

[Chestnutmare]

No idea about Hartpury, but after putting my beloved boy on loan to another well known college I would NEVER ever do it again, he came back after 6mths... I pulled him out of there after paying several visits I just wasn't happy with his level of care....

He was lami and had COPD they put him on shavings to start with and soaked hay... great!
Til I paid a unannoced visit to find his stable which was a temporary stable block you know those tent type ones, with a small straw bed that I wouldnt even put a shetland in, and small amounts of dry hay!!!
Then he was left out in the midst of winter knee deep in mud!!!
That was it he was coming home with me.

Got him off the trailer, he was lame, thin and had sores on his legs and withers where rugs were just left on him too long, his coat had no gloss to it, no sparkle in his eyes!

It took quite sometime before I got him back to good form once again and alot of money of physio and vets fee's.

I would consider really checking the college out, obtaining other references from other owners if you could?... carry out spot checks etc...

 

[horsemad9999]

Thanks merlywerly

I did will do that, I went recently to a show at the college and got chatting to a couple of the students and asked them what they thought of the college. They said it was very good, but when I asked about the loan yard the answers were not that reasuring.

I know they dont get much or any turnout in the winter, so not supprised here, the thing that worried me was that they said most of the horses are there due to being injured and cannot compete anymore and not fully sound. The students were joking about some of the horses they get to ride.

 

[Tinypony]

I wouldn't, and it's probably worth you taking notice of your feedback from the students.

 

[canteron]

One of my horses is on loan to another equestrian centre. I am really really happy with the level of care now ..... This yard has settled competent staff so they get quality horses.

What I have found is the quality of the care depends almost entirely on the quality of the groom in charge of the section your horse is allocated to. If you do it, my advice would be to try and strike up a good relation with the groom and then you can hopefully keep tabs on the situation. Like any other loan home make regular trips to either give you horse a few carrots or whatever, don't be a nuisance, but you will quickly pick up if it is going wrong.

 

[Thistle]

I had a horse on loan to Easton college, he was well cared for had appropriate exercise and some turnout. He seemed happy enough and so was I.

The only reason I removed him was because someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse for him. Not often a potential home for life crops up out of the blue.

 

[Grumpy Jewel]

My mare is at Plumpton and I am more than happy with her care. I am always welcome to pop in, watch lessons and tinker around with her at the weekend. I was in thevsituation of placing her in a college or selling, and I am so happy it's working well.