Hello.... And your thoughts

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Luckystar

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I'm new here so will start by saying hello! Like all on here I'm an absolute horse lover. I'm looking forward to joining your boards and having a good look through your posts.

I'm 35 and have been riding on and off since I was 8. I have never owned my own horse but it is my dream! Here is what I need some advice on. I'm now in a position financially were I could buy a horse, but I work 4 days a week and have two boys aged 1 and 4. My kids are my priority but I would so love to have my own horse. I do work at home a fair bit so as long as the horse is stabled near me i could spend my lunch time with it. Is it just a pipe dream gettin a horse right now? How do others with kids juggle it? I do have a loan option for 2 days per week but there are restrictions with that. At the moment I'm havin two lessons per week but I really want to progress to little competitions etc. I've still got loads to learn as still bit rusty but was hopin I might be able to do that with my own horse?!
Maybe I'm mad and would be better to wait till kids are a bit older? Would love to hear your views!

Thanks!
 
Luckystar said:
I'm new here so will start by saying hello! Like all on here I'm an absolute horse lover. I'm looking forward to joining your boards and having a good look through your posts.

I'm 35 and have been riding on and off since I was 8. I have never owned my own horse but it is my dream! Here is what I need some advice on. I'm now in a position financially were I could buy a horse, but I work 4 days a week and have two boys aged 1 and 4. My kids are my priority but I would so love to have my own horse. I do work at home a fair bit so as long as the horse is stabled near me i could spend my lunch time with it. Is it just a pipe dream gettin a horse right now? How do others with kids juggle it? I do have a loan option for 2 days per week but there are restrictions with that. At the moment I'm havin two lessons per week but I really want to progress to little competitions etc. I've still got loads to learn as still bit rusty but was hopin I might be able to do that with my own horse?!
Maybe I'm mad and would be better to wait till kids are a bit older? Would love to hear your views!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hello!!
Have you thought about loaning or even a share where the owner will let you do some competing. I would look around as there may be some without the limits you mention. It would be a good way to ease yourself into horse ownership without the 100% commitment. Just an idea.
 
Hello Luckystar!

Whereabouts are you? You may find there's a HHO-er close by who would welcome some exercise help or one who could suggest a loan-in-same-yard option.

Good luck.... :)
 
Hello, welcome to H&H! :)
I know a lot of people on the DIY livery yard I'm on who work and have kids - and recently one girl has moved on with 2 babies and 2 young ponies! I don't know how she does it but she manages it and it must be hard work...
How long have you been back riding consistently? I've been riding since I was eight too and I'm nearly 21 - I've never had my own horse but I've been part loaning since I was 12 and its honestly the best thing I ever did. It means that if I have a problem, there is someone else there to make sure she's seen to and owner has said she is as much mine as hers now! :)

Just to give you a little insight - I go to Kelly around 8.30am in the morning, ride do jobs etc and leave around 11.30 - she is then left to amuse herself with her treat ball until around 5pm when she is fed and rewatered etc and that takes around half an hour...
4 days a week isn't a problem though - Kelly's owner works full time, I work part time when I'm not at uni and its always possible to fit horsey time in! ;)

I think its definitely possible watching the people with children on our yard but don't put yourself under too much pressure - I would also wait until you don't feel rusty anymore! :) (If its an RS you're having lessons at, wait until you see how different none RS horses are!! :p)
Good luck and keep us posted!!
K x

ETA don't write off loaning altogether - I am allowed to compete Kelly in whatever we decide to have a bash at!! :) I'm sure there will be someone around who would let you do the same!
 
Hi and welcome,

Like the others have suggested, I'd look for a share. It will give you the horse to look after on a part time basis and the ability to figure out whether you have the time or not for one full time.

Good luck in your hunt xx
 
Well, hello there.

I am of a similar age and similar experience (no kids though). I bought my first horse 18 months ago. He was a 5 year old half-arab with no experience (not complicated but young). Fortunately, I have experienced OH (very complicated but very old :D) and I have to say the little horse would be a danger to society by now if I didn't have a serious horsey person on board.

I would go for the following (depending on depth of "wedge"):-
Part-share with someone who knows what's what
Part-loan with someone who know what's what
Buy an experienced cobby type (no guarantee with a "cob" as we know) with an experienced instructor YO on hand

I honestly cannot emphasise enough the worry and stress you have to go through if you've never had a horse before (you have children, you know the score)

I panic if Small Horse has a scratch or tick. His feet were a bit manky at one point but OH sorted it with bleach and a rag :confused:

And as for behaviour, I'm a bit soft and need someone who knows the difference between bad behaviour and genuine fear, it's so important. Even if, you buy an older horse he might have some settling in issues when he/she first arrives. You've got kids so you obviously don't want to be "biting the dust" all the time.

I can never stress enough the difference between a good rider and an experienced horseman/woman. Vets stuff, feeding, legs, exercise amounts, condition, lumps/bumps etc etc

Good luck with your decision and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have (bruises an all) :)
 
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PS
You could try asking how much we reckon we spend on our horses in terms of time and money but you may find that the answer is... um.... not the same one we tell our Other Halves.... or even the one we admit to ourselves... :D
 
Thanks for the warm welcome. I think you are right, probably a loan or share is the best bet for now, but probably not the one I have on offer.
When I said I am a bit rusty I meant I'm not ready to be jumping 3ft courses but am confident to jump and am confident doin everything else. Didn't want you to think I was rushing in before being ready. I would be looking for a safe ride, since having my boys I value my safety more!!! It is the general horse care I need to learn more about so would only ever keep my horse at a yard where there is help and advice available.
I'm in the north west Kent area if anybody on here is looking for some help!!
I've not just been riding riding school horses either which has been nice.
That is a good suggestion Kate..... How much time do you all spend with your horses?
Thanks again for your help. I'm finding through asking about that the horsey world are being great at helping me find a solution.

Thanks again
 
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