How many horses is too many?

[blitznbobs]

Asking for a friend...
I definitely haven’t seen a baby I fancy and I definitely haven’t spent the afternoon discussing with my non horsey husband how sensible another youngster would be...

 

[doodle]

1 is more than enough for me!!

 

[Shysmum]

Two max

 

[fredflop]

Entirely depends on your circumstances. If you have push button rides, on full livery, and you don’t have a job... 3 or 4 maybe?

 

[ycbm]

1 more than you have room for.

Buy it !

 

[milliepops]

I can keep 2 in work quite easily. 3 only for a short time. That's what forms the basis of my decisions.
I have 7 at the moment but only one currently rideable, 4 are retired, one to start this year and one is 8 months old so no rush ?

 

[katastrophykat]

I have four at livery and one on loan, but...! The ones at livery are all under 13hh (at the moment- baby is still growing!) and two are wintering out. The two that are in are tidy in their boxes and don’t eat a lot. However- we really need no more than three- the driving pair and the baby to make a bigger single pony. The old boy is all but retired and currently acting as a companion for the baby at grass.
I work more or less full time and it is a push- especially this year!

 

[AmyMay]

Two was plenty for me too.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Three is one too many for me. I have three...

 

[Snow Falcon]

I have 6 at which at present, is a few too many. Could do with selling a couple but not really able to under current climate.

 

[COldNag]

2 more than you currently have

 

[chaps89]

I have 2 on DIY and tbh I'd happily go back to 1 at the moment!
If I had a massive field with a barn and hardstanding then I reckon more would be fine but with a full time job I'd still struggle to ride more than 2 properly anyway tbh.

 

[thefarsideofthefield]

For around 15 years I had 6 at home , 5 were in full ridden work ( mostly by me ) and a Shetland that did LR and IH showing . I also had a full time job ( my own business ) . I got up at 5.30 am in the week and rode 2 , lunged 1 , then turned out before work . Came home and mucked out at lunch time . Did the other jobs after work in the evening , sometimes rode again , in bed by 10pm . At weekends we were usually out competing and I would take ponies that weren't competing with us so that I could exercise them rather than sitting around between classes . My OH would help out with the fast/canter work at weekends if we were at home .
Hard work but I absolutely loved it at the time - I was living the dream ! Started to downsize about 5 years ago by not buying young stock to replace the ponies we lost or ( very occasionally ) sold . Down to 2 ponies now who live out 24/7 , we are enjoying the relative freedom and ( without meaning to sound harsh ) quite looking forward to a time when we have no animals and are totally free to sell up and pursue our other interests . My OH sacrificed a lot for my horses /my dreams and I couldn't have done it without his full support .

 

[Equi]

My current thoughts are 6 is too many lol

 

[Dontforgetaboutme]

I have 2 and at the moment is 1 too many

 

[Muddywellies]

I have 1. I personally don't want my entire life to be horses. Theres a big wide world out there, and covid has given me a real hankering for freedom....

 

[Palindrome]

I have 3, I wouldn't mind another youngster but it's not reasonable as I have very little time. 1 is in work, 1 has been backed but having the winter off and 1 is a companion/kids pony.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Everyone is missing the point here. All we want to know are details of this baby and when it will be arriving ?

 

[Pippity]

One is enough for me. (Although I am planning to buy a weanling when Blue hits semi-retirement, assuming I'm not too old by then.)

 

[EmmaC78]

I have one ridden horse (although on long term field rest at the moment due to injury) and one companion and that's more than enough. Don't know what on earth I am going to do if my gelding doesn't come back into work as buying a third seems crazy.

I still think you should buy the baby horse though

 

[Winters100]

I can manage 3, but then I have them on part livery, so no boxes to do, and I work for myself so I am flexible on time. Also all are easy and I can exercise by riding 1 and leading the others if needed. I could manage 1 more, but after that I would need help to keep them all fit, So I guess the answer is that it depends on the horses and your circumstances.

 

[Jayzee]

I have 5 at the moment and its doable, 2 are in work and 3 retirees(who cause the most stress). The summer makes it so much easier and with better facilities I'd be happy to have another to ride. Personally 6 would be the absolute limit for time and money. But I prefer not to be pushed financially so 5 will do.

 

[blitznbobs]

Everyone is missing the point here. All we want to know are details of this baby and when it will be arriving ?

Unfortunately I contacted the owner and it’s already sold ? - have spent the whole evening foal hunting on line ... it’s a pity we can’t travel at the moment as there are a few I’d like to meet

 

[Northern]

One and a half rideable here and one retired. My ideal would be 4, because then I could take my youngster out with my riding horse and not have to worry about the TB having a conniption being alone! Three is my limit so I am vicariously helping a friend (who has the paddocks next door) look for her next horse

 

[JJS]

I have three and think that’s a good number. Only one of them is ridden though!

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Unfortunately I contacted the owner and it’s already sold ? - have spent the whole evening foal hunting on line ... it’s a pity we can’t travel at the moment as there are a few I’d like to meet

Oh no. Good horses do seem to be moving quickly at the moment. Does it have to be a foal?

 

[Snow Falcon]

Bit early for foals isn't it anway? Yearlings maybe. ?

 

[blitznbobs]

Bit early for foals isn't it anway? Yearlings maybe. ?

Technically it was a yearling (weaned in November)

 

[Bernster]

There’s the right answer. And then there’s the answer we want!

 

[blitznbobs]

Oh no. Good horses do seem to be moving quickly at the moment. Does it have to be a foal?

No but want a filly not really worried about the age but want fashionable lines as thinking of breeding at some point in the future...