Hartpury / Writtle University - Bringing a horse with you?

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chestnutguin

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Hello!

I am currently looking at equine universities for September 2017 after doing a year of a History degree and deciding to leave due to not enjoying it, and it not being what I am interested in for the future. My only worry however is that we had to sell my horse a year ago and that even if I got another now that I am working full time, it would not be financially possible for me to afford the university livery costs come September 2017. (Unless I was able to get a job at university, but this is a risk too big for me to agree to livery on the basis I will try to get a job at uni)

SO after all that, has anyone got any experience of going to Writtle or Hartpury without their own horse? I understand that a lot of the course is not so much practical based in terms of being hands on with the horses.
I also worry that it could perhaps be harder to meet people etc, with this being a bit more of a worry for me because I will be 21 and most others being 18. I am already enjoying going out clubbing less and will instead be more focusing on the work aspects than the "uni experience" aspects of the degree, especially after already having wasted over £9k doing one year of History!!

I understand that experiences will differ from person to person, but just to hear of some people's experiences would be fab! I am ideally looking at Hartpury and the equine science or equine business management course. I would also be interested to hear of Writtle experiences too though :)

Thank you for any help in advance!! :)
 
My friend has just done year one of the same course at hartpury, she took her horse too.you could contact her...crazyhorses12345.. She won't mind, she will give you a heads up about hartpury
 
Not directly relevant but just saying that I did a history degree and certainly didn't live for it with a passion. But I had very few hours at uni so kept the horse and worked! Now I have a lovely job where I can afford the horse. :)
 
Harpury's fairly close to me (90mins away)so I've known plenty of people who've gone there, both with and without a horse. There are lots of uni horses and the equine students are expected to look after them too, not just their own, so you'll definitely have plenty of opportunity to meet others while you're doing that.

I also know quite a few people who went to uni when they were slightly older and again they were just fine. If you'll be living on campus, the university will probably will probably place you with people of a similar age so you won't be feeling like the granny - you could e-mail them to ask for this specifically or put a special request on your accommodation form if you'd rather be sure.

The other option would be to keep an eye for rooms in shared houses off campus with 2nd/3rd year students who will be closer to you in age. As long as you get on with your housemates, you'll be tagging on to a ready-made group of friends which might make things a bit easier. Do you know anyone there now who would let you join them in a house share next year? They'll be looking from about Feb onwards so could look for somewhere with a room for you too?
 
My son was at Hartpury a few years ago and didn't take a horse with him. His course didn't involve any riding/working on the yard and not having a horse with him certainly didn't affect his social life. In first year he was in halls and and the majority in his block weren't doing equine courses. He made friends with others some of whom had their own horses with them but equally many didn't. He flew home some weekends to ride especially towards the start of the event season. In second year he was offered a place on the equine academy but turned it down electing to keep the horses together at home. He moved into a house with friends and a couple of them kept their own horses on the same premises. He worked some evenings in a pub and rode out racehorses three mornings a week which helped keep him fit. For him I think he made the right decision not to take a horse with him, it gave him flexibility when he had to study hard and also no responsibility the next morning when he wanted a good night out! His friends were a mixed bunch including some older students. I wouldn't worry about being older or not having your own horse as not everyone will be straight out of school with their own horse in tow.
 
I don't know about Hartpury but at Writtle it does not matter if you have your own horse or if you are hands on during your course. If you want to get involved yo can do work experience or volunteer on either yard (riding or stud), there is an equestrian club, a young breeders club, the riding teams or you can work with one of the youngsters at the stud on a regular basis as a 'project horse'. If you are willing to get stuck in there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved and get the horse 'fix!' There are loads of local livery yards and often people are looking for sharers which might suit. Don't worry about being a bit older either - students really are a mixed bunch, there will be people there with plenty in common with you!
 
I went to Hartpury (albeit graduated over 10 years ago now!). I didn't own a horse bit it didn't really affect social life or course. There were a lot of people that didn't have a horse with them. There was a bit of a 'horsey set' in my year so maybe if I'd had a horse I would've bonded with them more. A few of the girls in my year found it really odd if you didn't own a horse!

During practicals where you need to use a horse they would take you onto the yard to use the school or therapy horses. You could take equitation as a module which would involve riding and stable duties.

I used to have lessons after uni and at the weekend. You got reduced student rates and I was impressed with the level of horses and tuition offered.
 
Personally, when I was at Writtle, the riding club was rather cliquey and quickly filled up with people who owned and kept horses at the college yard, leaving horseless folks high and dry without a chance of riding. That was over 10 years ago, so perhaps its changed since then.
 
Thank you everyone, after thinking about the whole situation a lot I have instead decided to continue my history degree and keep horses as a hobby for now :)
 
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