Keeping a horse at university?

[mandwhy]

Hello all,

I was just wondering how many of you keep or have kept horses whilst at university? I kind of assume that as an equine student you are encouraged to do so but what about others and how do you deal with the cost? I guess some more rural unis give you discounted livery?

I am in Cambridge and the cost of living is pretty high as it is and the only option I would be able to consider really is the local college which offers working livery at £35 a week, or some sort of grass livery maybe, I am not sure what it includes though. It would be cool as there are lessons and shows that go on there and a big country park nearby, but the horse is used for 12 hours of lessons a week which seems like quite a lot, or 7 hours for £50 pw.

I am just wondering if maybe I shouldn't discount the idea completely, as I am a mature student with a slightly better income than most students I am probably just dreaming...

 

[dafthoss]

Wouldnt want a horse of mine to be used at an equine college . Theres quite a few yards round the city and in the surrounding villages though that would mean your horse is all yours to do what you want with.

 

[mandwhy]

I guess they would probably want it to be a bombproof schoolmaster type anyway? Do you think it would just get ruined by riding lessons then? I am not an expert but hacking is all I've been doing for years on various shares and I feel like I'm getting too old and might lose my bottle if I don't try and progress soon!

I have a lovely share at the moment in one of the villages, I live in the East on the city boundary so ideally I would find 24/7 grass livery, there are loads of horses in fields within 10 mins drive (and I spy a couple of empty ones near farms) and I live right near the motorway, I just couldn't really find any grass livery advertised online, I saw some people going in to feed theirs the other night, think I might pounce next time and see if they know anywhere! I am not used to doing things without the internet!

I am just trying to get a vague idea of how much it would cost, ideally I could just transfer uni up north, halve my rent and spend it all on horses but OH may have other ideas!

 

[dafthoss]

PM me about the college, I'm just off out to ride the pony though so will reply when I get back.

I'm a fair way away from the city so dont have a clue how much it is near town but PM jesstickle on here she keeps hers on the edge of town. As for livery have you been and asked in all the local tack shops?

 

[wyrdsister]

I kept my two all through my undergraduate and masters, then added two more half way through my PhD! Cost-wise, it's not cheap. My parents were kind enough to fund my old boy while I was competing my mare (then picked up the tab for them both as retirees, which they will do until I've got a secure job - waiting for my Viva at the moment). The comp mare, then the other two, I self-funded through working part-time and obtaining a funding grant to cover my uni costs and accommodation, etc. I have no disposable income and no free time for anything else, so I've never really lived the stereotypical student lifestyle, parties, drinking, society involvement, etc. Do I care? No way! I've broken and trained, competed affiliated dressage, done sj and xc, etc, etc. The early mornings, shoe-string income, and absolute exhaustion during exam/thesis times were well worth it!

In terms of livery, I'd never let mine be used in an equine college, simply because my big loan mare was used in one before I got her, got branded dangerous and sent home. I have no idea what they did to her, because I know her breeder and knew her as a sweetheart before, she remains a sweetheart now but it's taking a lot of slow, careful reschooling to stop her panicking, head-shaking, and shooting off every she goes in the school. Nor is she the first I've reschooled after a bad experience at an equine college! I asked around for all mine. There's usually a good range of options available in most places. Check tack shops, the net, or snag a local or two to ask for advice!

 

[rhino]

I wouldn't have a horse on working livery at an equine college personally - seen the results far too many times

I bought my boy after my 1st year of undergrad and kept him on diy through the rest of the degree and for a couple of postgrad degrees too. It is hard work but kept me sane (well, as sane as I'm ever likely to be )

Would you consider a 'share' instead of the working livery idea; would bring in some money but you would retain control of your horse and there would only be 1 rider rather than a collection of students!

 

[mandwhy]

I am intrigued!

Yeah I don't do all the going out drinking and stuff that other students do as I am an oldie (25 haha), can't do hangovers and don't need to go boy hunting, all my social time is pretty tame involving sitting drinking coffee for free haha, the only thing I really spend money on is my horse share which I wish was 5 days not 2, and I wish I could do competing and jumping and all that.

I have broached the subject with my OH and he actually thinks it is a good idea as I pay about £60 a month for my share anyway and at the moment I have been lazy and not got a job as yet (plus I have like 4 months off over summer), and we both know I need to do things to be motivated! I have felt a lot better since having the motivation of my share horse that I think I might as well go the whole hog!

I also have some inheritance I was saving to buy a house which I am thinking about dipping into for this purpose, risky!!

 

[vallin]

Non-term time my horse is in Cambridge so PM if you want info about yards etc. and term time she comes to uni with me in Keele (Birmingham/Manchester way) and is kept on DIY. I don't work term time (apart from the odd shift here and there when I nip home to see the parents) but work two jobs during holidays to cover myself and keep to cheap hobbies ie. no binge drinking etc. It is hard work and can be tiring/stressful when you have deadlines creeping up so I suggest if you are on DIY make sure there is someone that can over you for the odd day just in case, but is very defo worth it, so nice to have an escape and an excuse to have some me time!

Oh, and I also wouldn't keep a horse at an equine college I'm afraid, which is it out of interest?

 

[Imogen_]

I kept my mums Arabian mare at University for my first year. But... It was on DIY and I must admit, I am very glad she was not kept on the working livery. The DIY was separate to horses on working livery and offered turn out... Unlike the working livery which isn't what I'd call ideal for a horse.

On the other hand, where I did my National Diploma, the working livery was a lot better and all though it still would not of suited my mare, the horses lifestyles where a lot better than most colleges and I wouldn't say no to someone keeping a horse at that particular college so I guess it can depend.

 

[mandwhy]

It is the College of West Anglia one in Milton, I have never even been there so don't know what it's like but thought it seemed reasonable money wise compared to other liveries that would include a stable and a school and stuff. My current share is in a paddock with field shelter and I am pretty happy with that, would rather do that with a horse that could live out 24/7, but when it comes to 'progressing' and stuff it would be nice to have a school and jumps and whatnot and some people to guide me!

I guess ideally I just want a rustic farm set up (had the ideal in Sheffield for 12.50 a week stable with one part loan) that has a school, a few other horses and people about so there's not to much pressure but help on hand!

I would definitely consider a share as I have shared many myself and would love to pass on the opportunity.

I can see what you all mean about working livery, thinking back if it was my first riding school I probably wouldn't be keen, but I was kind of thinking an equine college might be better, but having no experience of one it appears I might be wrong!