Horse ownership and uni - your thoughts?

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Sologirl

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OK here's the thing - I currently share a horse but I am absolutely desperate for my own, I find myself just wanting to be with her all the time, and starting to feel on the verge of jealous when her owner rides her - madness isn't it!

So...anyone else been through a full-time university course and kept their own throughout it? I don't want to compete (yet), just hacking, the odd weekend show if it comes up, beach rides and general low-level fun so a hairy good doer would be perfect, living out so no mucking out etc - would I be a complete idiot to get a horse now when I have 2 years of uni left? (I'm studying to be a vet)

I know I should be sensible and wait....but there really is nothing like having your own, is there? *sigh*

All advice appreciated...umm *searches cupboards* Student food? Pot noodles, Lambrini and cornflakes anyone? :D
 
I sat my last ever exam yesterday so uni is now finished for me! However- i got my mare in November last year (in 4th year.. before Christmas exams, dissertation and millions of essays.) And managed fine.

I also worked part time, having Ruby really helped me during the tough times, its a nice break from the library. Went to our first xc training today, she was a star- apart from the rearing and bouncing around at the sight of sheep..I work best if i know i have something to look forward to- and for me that's horses.

I would say go for it- but you need to be realistic about how time consuming our 4 legged friends are, the nights out you wont be able to go on as you will be up early the next day etc...(or...join the uni equestrian team and make lots of like minded friends) :)
 
loisb501 said:
I sat my last ever exam yesterday so uni is now finished for me! However- i got my mare in November last year (in 4th year.. before Christmas exams, dissertation and millions of essays.) And managed fine.

I also worked part time, having Ruby really helped me during the tough times, its a nice break from the library. Went to our first xc training today, she was a star- apart from the rearing and bouncing around at the sight of sheep..I work best if i know i have something to look forward to- and for me that's horses.

I would say go for it- but you need to be realistic about how time consuming our 4 legged friends are, the nights out you wont be able to go on as you will be up early the next day etc...(or...join the uni equestrian team and make lots of like minded friends) :)
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Ah well done you - what was your degree, and what are your plans now?
Yep I totally agree, I have visions of taking my uni notes up to the stable with me and revising in peace listening to horsie munch on his/her hay :-) I definitely work best when I have something to look forward to, and as I'm not much of a clubber/drinker it's not like I'd miss out on a lot of mad raving :D
 
I will be taking my horse to uni in september, couldnt actually live without him, not much of a drinker/clubber, much rather studying and my pony! Will give me a reason to still get up in the mornings if i dont have early lectures, Ive had him while being at college living away from home and managed that fine, having to be on the yard at 5am to get him done before the college horses, so hoping that uni will be along the same lines just with the added stress of a part time job :) if you think you will manage it go for it xxx
 
There are dozens of threads to do with this if you have a little search. I took my gelding to uni with me and managed to pull off a 2.1 studying a difficult course (law) whilst working part-time and still having a social life. I was very lucky in that my parents paid for him to be on part livery and I saw him at weekends and wednesday afternoons, he had a sharer (who now loans him) two days a week which paid for his shoes. Honestly...I couldn't have done it on DIY. I tried and going there twice a day ate into my petrol so much I couldn't afford it. I also wouldn't have been able to do it if my parents hadn't paid for him - I couldn't take the pressure of working lots to pay for him whilst studying, it can be done though, but I liked enjoying every aspect of uni including the socialising and sports/societies.
 
Went to horsey college and took mine with me :D I couldn't have survived my degree without a horse there to keep me sane! My parents paid for my DIY livery but they said it was worth it to know how happy I was to have my pony with me :) Worst part was when I got a second horse and had to leave one at home :( But yes, I think it's definitely do-able, a great way to relax and get away from your books for a bit every day!
 
Yes, and not to scare you buts its much harder when you are working full time...i finished uni last year (and gave up my part time job )
 
I took my horse with me and kept him on DIY at a competion uard near the university. I did Law, got a 2.1 whilst looking after the horse, competing and working part time at the yard to cover his keep. I did send him to a friend for the last part of my final year so I could concentrate on my exams.
It's totally possible to combine horses and Uni without negatively impacting either. The only downside was I couldn't take him home during all the holidays so would often be the only one staying there throughout the holidays so I could look after him.
 
Thanks everyone :)

Well, we shall see how it goes - I've got a lovely horse to share for now, and if things go well (fingers crossed) then I may be in a position to buy in the near future. If only I could persuade the owner to sell her!! :D

Just glad the summer hols are here so I can horse window shop online for hours without feeling guilty for not studying!!
 
I put my horse on loan while I was at uni, and afterwards agreed to sell him to his loan parents - it was a lot easier to do when I hadn't seen him for three years (and I hadn't been able to ride while I was away) - what I didn't know, but avoided anyway, was that there was no way I would have been able to afford to keep both myself and my horse financially after university.

It will depend how much support you get, and I suspect if I'd really pushed it my parents would have helped me (bless them), but thinking back I'm glad I didn't ask that. It took me a couple of years temping to get out of debt - and until I was 30 until I had a regular enough income and enough savings to consider buying again.

I think if I'd kept my horse I probably would have found a way, but it would have been a massive struggle, I'd have missed out on quite a lot of things, and it would have taken me longer to become independent and support myself. But of course, then I wouldn't have been saving to buy a new horse :) But... my horse would be 24 by now!

Of course things will be different for you - how different I don't know - but that's just my experience.
 
The ironic thing is, despite my course being extremely full on, I will never have this much free time again once I'm working as a vet - so there is never an ideal time to buy is there? Unless you win the lottery jackpot *dreams*

And hopefully it won't be too difficult to find a job once I graduate - and I'll save on vets bills!! Ahh roll on the day I can start horse shopping, unfortunately I'm already doing it and have found umpteen horses that sound great on paper....what are the odds of there being none about when I can actually look for real??

It's days like this when sharing just isn't enough for me - beautiful sunshine but a lovely fresh breeze - and it's not my day, so I can't ride :(
 
I am the same! I have a share horse but after much research into the cost etc I am getting my own, I don't go out or drink much and think the early mornings would actually help me to be more disciplined about my work (if I have nothing to get up for I don't, but when we lived far out and I had to drive my OH to work I had lots of extra time to do work) I think a few things can make a big difference - cheap living out (hard to find in Cambridge but my detective skills are on their way to paying off) and if you find a horse that is a good doer, doesn't need shoes or only had fronts it makes a useful difference to the amount of part time work you may have to do! Agreed that working full time makes it much harder full time so think I may as well take advantage of the spare time and do my best with the money!xx
 
I bought a second horse in the second year of my course :o

My course (nursing) entailed 6 - 8 week placements in the hospital, which were full time.
And two weeks theory, which were 2 - 3 days a week at the uni campus in the city, 15 miles away.

I also worked at least one night shift a week for cash.

I'm on DIY and have a friend who helped me sometimes, but otherwise the horses and dog were all my responsibility.

It can be done if you are physically located near enough to the horse and you have the money to pay for their upkeep.

I know vets with their own horses . Your advantage will be a long line of people willing to help you;):D
 
DO IT!

I bought, funded and competed my horse while at uni (local shows)! But we had a good time!

Not easy as obviously i worked too... but she kept (and keeps) me sain :)


Now however she has run up an absolutely massive vet bill.... so either have good parents - as well as insurance and a good savings account

:)

good luck- have fun :) and say good bye to your social life - but you can pick it up after uni :)
 
You are all BAD people, you're supposed to put me off and think sensibly LOL :D

But I've got to be honest with myself - I'm miserable without my own horse, I have no social life anyway so have nothing to miss on that score, and I think it would be good for my time management - up with the lark, horse, uni, work, horse, home, more work, bed! I don't want anything high maintenance, a big hairy unshod cob would do me fine, and riding is what I do to relax and chill out so it'd be great for me after a stressful day of lectures!

Thanks again all - just got to keep fingers crossed now!
 
I will say that you need to be sure this is real feeling/need - not just a fix because you are otherwise unhappy and stressed.
 
you at uni now? if so which?

theres loads of yards in most places - just ask around here and im sure people will point yo in the direction of grass livery or cheap diy with help :)
 
Oberon said:
I will say that you need to be sure this is real feeling/need - not just a fix because you are otherwise unhappy and stressed.
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Oh don't worry, this is a real feeling, it's been brewing for many years now! But I know what you mean, and I've been doing some serious thinking and talking to myself about what the commitment would mean, and it's definitely not a phase!

Noodle - yep, I'm doing vet med at Edinburgh Uni :)
 
I'm in my fourth year of University. First year my horse stayed at home on schooling livery and I came home every weekend to compete. I missed her terribly and brought her up to Uni in my second year. She's been here since and I only bring her back for the Summer as home is a good 5 hour drive.

She's always been on full livery, and I wouldn't be able to manage without it. I don't have a car so I get the bus (an hour each way), which is fine, but obviously takes a lot of time to see her. My degree is quite intense. I have over 20 contact hours a week, with a lot of additional work throughout the year and at least 6 exams each semester.

At exam time it's harder though, and this exam period I've put her on schooling livery as I have so many exams along with a 4,000 word report (that might sound short to someone who does an essay based subject, but i do maths.. I didn't think I knew that many words :p )

Having a horse at Uni has been the best choice for me. As long as you manage your time well I don't think it will affect your studies or your social life. My studies were affected more in my first year when I went home every weekend.

Saying all that, I wouldn't have been able to have my horse at Uni if I had to fund it myself. I am very fortunate that my parents have always paid for her. I wouldn't be able to have the same involvement that I do at University (on lots of committees/sports clubs/societies and always going out) if I had to get a job to pay for her myself.
 
Sologirl said:
Oh don't worry, this is a real feeling, it's been brewing for many years now! But I know what you mean, and I've been doing some serious thinking and talking to myself about what the commitment would mean, and it's definitely not a phase!

Noodle - yep, I'm doing vet med at Edinburgh Uni :)
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Cool. I only mention it because I am notorious for doing something because I'm annoyed about something completely separate :o
 
As much as I'd love to say just do it, I'd say 4th and 5th year of veterinary is about as tough as any uni course is going to get! Different courses have very different demands on your time, I did a science degree and found that I had a lot less free time than people doing humanities/english.

Also how are you going to pay for him/her? If your parents will help you out then that would be fine, but honestly in trying to work part time AND look after a horse on DIY you may end up risking failing/not getting the grades you want, which would be such a shame. Theres also the holidays to think of, how far away is your uni from home? and could/would you stay at uni if necessary?

Instead of just sharing a horse why dont you advertise for some rides too? I had a string of horses through uni which I rode for free, I could pick how many days I did/which days. They had some help with horses they were either nervous of or didnt have time for and I got to ride. It also meant I could drop down my days easily at exam time. I then ended up buying the last horse I had been riding, but I'm so glad I waited until I'd finished and could afford him properly and achieve a good degree.
 
Oberon said:
Cool. I only mention it because I am notorious for doing something because I'm annoyed about something completely separate :o
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That's me to a T - but horses is something that's never wavered :)

Jango - thanks for your advice, definitely more to think about. Yep I agree, the last 2 years are going to seriously challenge me - so buying a horse is not something I'm going to leap into. Fortunately I am almost 30, mature student and so live in Edinburgh full time, so no worries about leaving for the summer etc. I also have a (very) part time job every other weekend so that does help with some living costs.

I'll look into the extra horse riding thing for now - I can't do anything about buying my own right this moment, if all goes well it'll be at least the end of the summer, but it's nice to have options for the time being. :)
 
Personally I think a more demanding course is actually better, more structured. I do science and would be out with the horses all the time if I was doing humanities, but that would mean I would fail because I wouldn't be doing the self-study!

I think being a mature student is a bonus, I am one and I live on basically no money! I live with my OH so we share rent and bills (although expensive in Cambridge) and find I regularly forget my pin number because I never use my card except for petrol! I was certainly not like that in my first attempt at uni when I was 19! I just think the other younger students are easily spending £100+ a month on drinking (and the rest), so I can spend my spare cash on a horse :-) and if I needed another hundred a month or so then I would only need to work a few hours a week!

Sorry I am being terribly too encouraging :-)
 
LOL yes you are mandwhy - but thank you!! :D

I've decided to stop my horse share -it broke my heart but I realised that each time I went to see her I got more and more attached, I made deadly serious offers to her owner in case she ever thought about selling her but no luck. I don't blame her though, she is a marvellous horse. So I'm now totally horseless :( but hopefully I can save up the money I used to spend sharing in a horse fund for my own.

*sigh* Why is listening to your head so much harder than going with what your heart says?? :(
 
I've had my horse through three uni degrees, from a BA to a PhD which I've just finished.

There are several decent yards within spitting distance of Edinburgh Uni's vet school. When I was in Edinburgh, I kept my horse on one and used to save a call-out fee for vaccinations by riding to Dick Vet.

I'm also one of those people who is looking for people to ride my horse when I go out of town. LOL. But I'm in Glasgow now.
 
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I'm at uni and have my own horse, its actually scarily easy. She is kept on DIY grass livery a few miles out of town, I see her once a day and ride her as often as I can. I have a part time job to cover her expenses
 
I am currently doing my second year at university and working towards a psychology degree and I am doing fine with my boy. I live at home and commute to Huddersfield a few times a week but suring my first year I had no problem at all, I've managed to care for him, two dogs, a chinchilla and have a part time job so it is certainly acheiveable! :D
 
Caol Ila said:
I've had my horse through three uni degrees, from a BA to a PhD which I've just finished.

There are several decent yards within spitting distance of Edinburgh Uni's vet school. When I was in Edinburgh, I kept my horse on one and used to save a call-out fee for vaccinations by riding to Dick Vet.

I'm also one of those people who is looking for people to ride my horse when I go out of town. LOL. But I'm in Glasgow now.
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If you could PM me with names of some of these yards that would be fab :D
 
I had a horse on loan when I started uni, and in the couple of weeks before I went, she went back to her owner as I decided it probably wasn't wise me keeping a horse and studying.

However, I continued to go down to a friend's yard and within 6 months I had bought my own (yes, I used part of my student loan money!!)

It was hard work, but like you, I didn't mind being a 'happy hacker' during this time and just bobbed along to local shows (hackable distance, as I had no transport). I also kept her quite cheaply, as in return for 'token' livery bill (£5 per week - and I bought my own hay) I looked after the YO's 4 mini shetlands, and helped out at the weekends. She was fab whenever I had essays/exams and would step into the breach.

I appreciate I had a good situation, with someone to help...but I was desperate to stay involved with horses...I'm pretty sure it kept me sane through my course! Also, I did an English degree, and as such, had a fair amount of 'private study time' built into my course. I therefore used that time to play with my horse and studied mostly in the evenings and at weekend. Yes, that meant that my social life was affected - but I still managed to go to all the best uni parties :)

Maybe you could consider a share arrangement first - just to see how you manage?
 
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