horses , working and our working lives

[racebuddy]

i have two horses and work full time mix of shifts , i have two in full work although my eventer is 20 so now going to take a slight step back but still happy at be 80 if he still fit and well , just bought a 6 year old to build up to event , i was putting a lot of pressure on myself at the beg to make sure i got them both worked every day but it was silly as i was not getting any quality of time with them or walking in the house until after ten pm ,

now vary there work so one is schooled other is lunged and vice verca
both have 2 days off per week

i always do the mornings and evenings so if on early shift start work at 7am so try and get both horses out and mucked out and feeds done so just need to put fresh beds and work them , on there days off try and be home for 6.7pm to have some time at home .

i think as got a younger horse also forget that he needs to learn too but needs to have some downtime and enjoy him and get a bond

they also get brought in for me in winter if i am on late shift too by yard staff

whats everyone elses routine

winter of arena hires with the new one and arena eventing and sj with the older one

 

[FlyingCircus]

I work 8 till 6 and have 2. Tried to keep them both in work but struggled to have a life at that point! So my older boy is now on full loan allowing me time to concentrate on youngster

 

[TGM]

My daughter has two eventers, one BE Novice and one BE90. Generally she rides one a day, so each horse is ridden every other day which works for them.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Work full time & have 1 in work. I do all my jobs & ride in the mornings to free up my evenings once I've bought in after work.

I don't plan to get a second until he needs to semi-retire & just potter a few times a week.

 

[milliepops]

I like having 2 in work because I feel i don't get enough time in the saddle with just one, I'm def a better rider when I have 2 to ride.

Am down to one at the moment until next year when youngster will be 4 and ready to start doing little bits. I think that'll be a pleasant ratio because hopefully established horse will be in full work and he'll do a few days a week. I try and do one in the morning and one after work then. bit of a big gap between them as she's reaching the top of her discipline and he will be bumbling around learning about how to be ridden

2 in full work is a big commitment but I wfh full time and have done for years and years so that makes life a lot easier.

 

[Squeak]

I'm the same as MP and much prefer having two to ride. I'm currently down to one but just thinking of it as making winter easier.

When I had two I rode them every other day during the week and both during the weekend when I wasn't working. This meant that one would have 4 days work and the other 5 days. Trying to ride both on a working day was hard work but much easier in the summer with more daylight and less mucking out and would also tie in with needing to up work for competing.

 

[Bernster]

Don’t think I’m being very successful at it atm with 2 in full work. But I get both exercised by the yard as well, Finnegan now has a sharer, and my ins alternates schooling them each week. It’s full on, it’s expensive, and I‘m probably not riding as much as I should to warrant having 2. But I’ve never been sensible when it comes to horses!

I’m really enjoying it though. Although a year younger, Finn is established and feels like my comfortable slippers. I know him, trust him, know what he’s good at and enjoys, and his sharer is fab. But he is porky which I’m worried about so I am upping his fitness work whilst the ground is ok. Bertie is a new challenge, am working out how to ride him and get the best out of him, he’s more forward and a keen jumper. So I currently have a really nice mix and am hoping it will make me a better rider too.

 

[Ceriann]

I work full time, pretty demanding job and can work v full days. Horses are at home, I ride one. Since I’ve been wfh it’s got a lot easier to maintain regular work, I also mix it up a bit with schooling, hacking, lunging and in hand stuff. I aim for 5 days but will do more if I can and don’t beat myself up anymore if I don’t. I also accept sometimes 20-30 minutes is all I can do. End of day I have to work to pay for them! OH is very good with helping out too.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

I’ve had 2 in work for the last couple of months and really struggled on top of working full time. The one I’m selling took a bit of a back seat, because he’s much more established and easy, so he was only being ridden 2-3 times a week.

Normally I’d try and ride 5 times a week but it doesn’t always work, especially in our busy season for work when I might not get there until 6:30/7pm.

helps they’re on full livery though, means I can just turn up and groom/ride.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I work full time but luckily fairly flexibly. I’ve two horses on DIY one 26yrs I’ve had for 16yrs and a 12yr old I bought 3 years ago. I got him about 2 weeks before I got a rescue dog. At first it was a struggle with an added horse and a dog but I taught the dog to come hacking with me. I also got a couple of ad-hoc sharers to ride my old boy. I spent first three years pretty much hacking the newer one as I had no horse transport and the dog needed a lot of exercise. Meanwhile my oldie is still very sprightly. I ride mornings before work usually as it’s lighter in winter and cooler in summer. We have minimal school lighting.

I’m really focussed on keeping my younger one occupied and even on days the weather isn’t as good or I’m tired I still have to walk the dog so I may as well kill two birds with one stone and ride out. This year I’ve managed to buy a little Horsebox and I’ve been out with both my horses. The oldie has done some veteran showing and my younger one has done various clinics, in-hand, polework, confidence, Le Trec, biomechanics and I’ve also done some in-hand showing, dressage and Le Trec comps. I’m aiming for a well rounded horse to have fun on. He’s ex BS and can be opinionated.

I don’t dilly-dally usually and am very efficient at doing everything pretty quickly, cutting out unnecessary crap and getting on and out. If I start chatting or faffing it’s fatal. In winter everything that can be prepared at weekends is. Being out in summer makes things pretty easy.

As Bernster having my oldie at the same time is a comfort although frankly he’s the one that’s naughtier. I love having both and in some ways it’s easier as I don’t have to worry about them being left out on their own. The only downside apart from the obvious expense is that they are very attached and the younger one suffers from separation rage and needs sedation if my old one goes out for the day. He’s tolerable if he’s only going for a hack but not if he knows he’s off in the Horsebox.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I have 2, one ridden and one retired, I work full time, 7.30 am til 4. I try to ride before work at the minute. I have asked for flexi hours and with using my holiday in hours rather than days , when it starts getting really dark, I will be able to nip back to the stables mid morning bring in and ride. It will be the first time I've done it this way, hoping it works!

 

[palo1]

I work nearly full time (30 hours a week) but some of that time is wfh and is flexible. I have 2 horses to ride; both are in full work as well as 1 or 2 others that are in my care (son and daughter ride them!). I work both of my horses 3x a week and that has been 'enough' work for me and the horses for a while. Both are about 25 mile fit/happy to do 4- 6 hours under saddle at all paces as well as a 'harder' jumping or flatwork training but neither is currently competing. I have no arena, don't lunge (well maybe once a year if I have to!) and have very limited time in winter so I aim to get both horses really fit and then keep them there!! Horses don't tend to lose fitness very quickly and also need rest to develop fitness and repair/strengthen up so I have always been told that it is not necessary to ride every day (in fact far from it if the horse is working hard). However in terms of 'skills' or refinement you might want to do more sessions at less intensity. I find the winter hard and take every opportunity to ride as well as accepting that some days it is pretty drudgy!! I ride in the afternoons other than 1 day a week where I am at home all day so ride both that day. If need be I will ride in the dark. I am happy enough that if one horse hasn't been ridden for a few days, if I can work them once in the week before a harder day (preferably with a day of rest in between) they are fine. None of ours have ever had behavioural issues due to not being ridden every day but perhaps I am lucky in that. All seem to enjoy their work too.

 

[scats]

Winter is just about surviving for me. I ride as and when the weather allows it and take all pressure off myself until spring. I don’t have the time or energy to keep 2 in work in winter anymore, so P has winter off or goes to long reining a couple of times a week.

 

[Cob Life]

I work 8 - 5 (some days that can be 5:30/6)

Usually they are turned out for me in the morning then I muck out, ride, poopick and feed both after work.

this year I may try mucking out before work as it’s just too much to do it all after now that I’m finishing later

 

[GinaGeo]

I keep mine efficiently.

They don’t need loads of work and I’ve enlisted the help of a sharer to keep the older boy who needs ‘exercise’ to keep the waistline under control ?

 

[Spot_On03]

When I was working FT (And had a young baby of 6 months!) I only rode twice a week and lunged once. Kept my mare ticking over and gave me time at home. I just made sure little jobs like haynets/feeds done in advance. where possible got up early to ride/do jobs so there wasn't much to do come evening.

 

[Peglo]

I work 8:30-5.00 Monday to Friday (it is a physical job) and do cleaning on a Saturday morning. Poop scoop and feed in the morning and feed at night. Only have one to ride and feel like I hardly have the time to ride with the 2 oldies to look after too. Full admiration to those of you riding consistently whilst working!! Hoping to sort it all a bit better after winter but definitely just going to try and survive for the next 6 months!!

 

[Hackback]

How on earth do all of you who work full time manage to ride every day at this time of year? Do you all have floodlit schools? You are making me feel very inadequate!

 

[MuddyMonster]

How on earth do all of you who work full time manage to ride every day at this time of year? Do you all have floodlit schools? You are making me feel very inadequate!

We have a school but no floodlights. The big difference for me is I WFH so don't have to commute or be office smart, which is obviously a big time saver. I'm planning on hacking in the dark a couple of mornings a week during winter with lights etc.

 

[Jango]

Honestly if you want to have 2 ridden horses on DIY plus working full time, horses basically have to be your whole life. That's fine for some people but I hate it, it stops being fun and it's just pressure to ride them enough. I'm much happier with one horse in work, I ride 5x a week so have 2 evenings where I just bring in, so do another sport or see friends. The same with the weekend I like to do other things than just horses, that's very doable with one, but a struggle with 2! In your situation I'd get a sharer for the older one, let them ride 2-3x a week so then you only have to exercise him twice.

 

[Hackback]

We have a school but no floodlights. The big difference for me is I WFH so don't have to commute or be office smart, which is obviously a big time saver. I'm planning on hacking in the dark a couple of mornings a week during winter with lights etc.

I wfh too but starting at 8 means I'd have to finish riding at 7.30 and I often don't finish until 18.30. Also have to walk the dog, which I do in the dark in winter. I actually like being out in the dark but never dared try it on the horse.

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

I'm in awe of all of you. I'm out the house 7.30 - 5. 30/6 most days, and it's already feeling like a massive chore just going out in the dark and chucking hay at scruffy ponies who live out 24/7 ?

 

[Red-1]

I used to work full time and have two eventing at Novice.

Honestly, I don't know how I did it!

These days, I still have two but we mostly potter about, and I only work part time, and I still find I am pushed.

Thinking back, I had a cleaner once a week, that helped. Mr Red did the shopping. I did washing.

I worked mostly 8-4 or 10-6, journey 40 minutes each way. It was a horse job though, so if I rushed, I could be home and on one horse for 5pm as I was already dressed for it! Also, mucking out until 8am and still there early. No need to change.

For most of the year, I could ride before the 10am shift and after the 4pm finish. I did have floodlights, but would give them 2 days off in the week each in summer, 3 in the depths of winter. I also had other people to ride the older one when we went out hacking. He was a fab ride, even for novices, so we would go out for up to 3 hours and do schooling/ canter work together. I had 3 regular riders and 3 more occasional ones. They were able to take him to local dressage/jumping shows too.

I think the difference is that now I like to be finished for 6pm, have a meal and be ready for bed at 8.30. Now I am mid-50's I need my sleep more, and I am up at 5.45! My job now is not horse based, so I do stable chores then shower and also have to change when I get home. It all takes time! I also can't justify a cleaner when I am part time LOL.

 

[Antw23uk]

I'm in awe of all of you. I'm out the house 7.30 - 5. 30/6 most days, and it's already feeling like a massive chore just going out in the dark and chucking hay at scruffy ponies who live out 24/7 ?

I hear ya

 

[ycbm]

When I worked full time in a non pressure job I had one horse on DIY and rode every morning and kept the horse on my route to and from work. When I had a more pressured job, I either had one horse in full livery and went four times a week with two evenings in a lit school, or they were at home where I had a small lit barn I rode in. I had two at BE novice at home and would ride one, school one about 5 days a week. I never managed the level of formal training other people at BE do, mostly because of the time but also the money.

I don't have the energy for that these days and my preferred configuration for winter is one in full work and one only needing ticking over. Last winter was a nightmare I'm hoping never to repeat with one needing far more time in terms of care and exercise than I wanted to be doing. This winter I have a 3 year old who doesn't need riding at all though I might potter about on him from time to time. If the other stays sound it will be bliss.

I would never have wanted two in work while I was working full time and in livery, I valued my time with my OH too much.
.

 

[milliepops]

How on earth do all of you who work full time manage to ride every day at this time of year? Do you all have floodlit schools? You are making me feel very inadequate!

Yep, I have been on yards without lights and at the time had an established horse that I would ride in the dark. but always had a school (except for when i had them at home when I had to hack to use one, i went with a head torch). Now I have access to an indoor- have to work around visiting clients at the yard but it's a GODSEND!!!

Honestly if you want to have 2 ridden horses on DIY plus working full time, horses basically have to be your whole life.

yep!

 

[scats]

Yep, I have been on yards without lights and at the time had an established horse that I would ride in the dark. but always had a school (except for when i had them at home when I had to hack to use one, i went with a head torch). Now I have access to an indoor- have to work around visiting clients at the yard but it's a GODSEND!!!



yep!

We have a huge barn that we store machinery and hay in. I day dream about turning it into an indoor school!

 

[RachelFerd]

I am seriously thankful for being at a yard with multiple floodlit outdoor arenas, where lights stay on until 9pm-ish, and a small indoor which is useful for the days when it never stops raining. The biggest pain in winter is losing the ability to hack out after work - means I spend more time schooling than I'd like to, and with competing on the weekends, it is hard to get the hacking in.

I work 8.30-5.15 but on a ten days in nine pattern, so I get alternate Wednesdays off as a non-working day. I'm mainly WFH since COVID but do sometimes have to head into London (2hrs 15 on the train each way). I'd actually prefer to be fully office based as don't find WFH particularly healthy.

2 horses in work, but on 5-day part livery so that I'm only focussed on getting them ridden during the week - chores at the weekends. They are a 25-35 minute drive away from home (live fairly centrally in a city, so this is best it can be).

I'll usually manage to work each horse 4-5 days a week - twice at the weekend and two or three times during the week.

 

[Annagain]

I have two but only one in work, on DIY 5 minutes from home, which is a huge plus for me, I don't know how some of you manage with long journeys to yards. They're out 24/7 in summer and in overnight from mid Nov - mid April.

A few of us at the yard have a rota system for turning out so I turn out two mornings a week and ride Charlie on those mornings. Last winter I was working from home all the time so I would get there for 7, turn the others out, ride Charlie in the school for 30-40 mins, turn him out, muck out and leave everything ready for one of the other girls to get them in. I was home by 9 (usually still stinky but unless I had meetings I'd last until lunchtime for a shower) ready to start work. Since lockdown ended, I go into the office 1 or 2 days a week so when winter comes I'll make sure I'm at home on the days when I do the horses in the morning.

We have a floodlight (singular) for riding in the dark but it only really lights about 2/3 of the school and I find Charlie is a bit spooky going from light to dark all the time so I don't ride in there during the evenings in winter but will try to go to a riding club lesson once a week. We're not doing anything in particular at the moment so just riding for fun and to keep ticking over so I don't beat myself up if I don't ride in the week, if the weather's awful of the school's frozen - as it can often be at 7.15 am!

 

[palo1]

Floodlights and arenas would be transformative for me in winter but I would never swap having the horses at home for those facilities tbh!! I used to loathe having to go out to do the horses in winter even when facilities were available; now I can do them whenever I want and in my pjs if I fancy. I don't think we would ever install an arena even if the money was available though I do look at floodlight and indoor schools with green eyes during the winter. Every winter is different too so I try to set specific goals to work towards to help motivation but essentially both horses are fit so if I can't face riding so much it is not so much of an issue; they just have to tick over until I feel like it again if need be for up to a week or so. Horses really don't need the amount of regular 'work' that some people feel is necessary and it can just put miles on the legs without actually developing cardio-vascular fitness or refinement of skills. I was always told to do no more than you have to in order to get the horse where they need to be for their workload but that is very much open to interpretation and very different situations.