Keeping my horse at Bishop Burton, working livery?

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CanterTrot

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Hello!

Should I keep my horse at Bishop Burton on working livery?
She's a green 4 year old mare, Irish draught X connie,
she is turned out at the moment and bring her in every day to work, when its cold I put her in the stable.
I am worried novices will ride her and ruin her, as she is full of character and when she gets away with something then she will do it again, and again, and again.
I've heard bad reviews about horses that have needed re-schooling again.
The reason for maybe putting her in working livery is because I don't want to be messing around trying to get my college work done and then going all the way to the stables and then back to college.

Does anyone have any comments or reviews they can tell me about and their experiences?

Thanks!
 
My horse is a college horse (a financial necessity unfortunately) and yes, her schooling isn't amazing, but she's being well looked after I'n the correct way. I watch lessons as much as I can, and have been impressed with those I have seen. As I said,
there are things I notice that
annoy me when I ride (the
outside rein is clearly the only aid
to keep her on the track ;)) but
luckily as I have put good scooling I'n her past so a little reminder gets her listening again. I would probably think twice is she was young, but I know there are ability groups for the horses so there is a good standard of rider for each level of horse.
 
I put my boy on working livery whilst I was pregnant and it worked out ok. It didn't do him any favours schooling wise though and he developed a slightly harder mouth from having beginners pulling on the bit but overall I managed to fix this in time.

A few years later I put him on loan to a disabled riding school and I'm afraid they did him some real damage. His hooves were allowed to grow long in the toe and heels collapsed causing collateral ligament damage, not my guess, confirmed by my vet! So I would be really really careful where you put your horse and who you trust with her, especially with her being so young. Luckily my boy is back in work now and doing well, however I've not been able to cure him of trying to take bites out of hedgerows since I got him back. I 's highly irritating and not something he'd ever done before.
 
I'm at Bishop. Some horses thrive there, others really do not. I don't ride as part of my course, however I am on the college's BUCS equestrian team, so I do ride the horses. There are riders there who have competed upto 2* level eventing and high level SJ, however you could count these riders on 1 hand. Mostly the horses will be ridden by students of varying levels. Some students are very novicey. I also worry having watched alot of lessons at Bishop that there are alot of 'large' novicey riders put on small fine ponies, that visibly look to be struggling. So I would be wary about that. Also be aware at Bishop there is no turn out for the working liveries at all. I wouldn't expect the horse to become better schooled. If you are lucky the horse's level of schooling will be maintained, however it is interesting comparing how the horses are at the beginning of the year to what they are like at the end. Alot by the end of the year are getting rather naughty!
 
If your horse is the type that needs riding every day then it can suit. I have an Irish Draught Mare who thrives at a college, largely because she is very very bright and loves the amount of things which happen.

I don't think the level of work is a problem, and whilst they may not get schooled properly, they can do a lot of growing up, with enough work to keep them calm and get used to lots of things. All the things they do can be a great education and leave you with a horse who is much more 'grown up' albeit you may have to work on the schooling.

However, I would be concerned about the lack of turn out. To be honest I would have a serious chat with the staff about this and see how they negate the problems.

There are better loan homes ........ but trust me there are a hell of a lot worse and if you need a loan home then the devil you know can be better?
 
Grumpy Jewel said:
My horse is a college horse (a financial necessity unfortunately) and yes, her schooling isn't amazing, but she's being well looked after I'n the correct way. I watch lessons as much as I can, and have been impressed with those I have seen. As I said,
there are things I notice that
annoy me when I ride (the
outside rein is clearly the only aid
to keep her on the track ;)) but
luckily as I have put good scooling I'n her past so a little reminder gets her listening again. I would probably think twice is she was young, but I know there are ability groups for the horses so there is a good standard of rider for each level of horse.
Click to expand...

Hi Grumpy Jewel, just noticed that on your details you have 'the very dry West'. Maybe time for an update?!
 
Personally i wouldn't put my horse on livery at Bishop Burton as they don't get any turnout and I don't agree with that at all. I had mine on working livery when I was at college in Nottingham but they were turned out everyday so that was great. My horse was 6 at the time and he actually did seem to love it and his flatwork came on really well. There they are careful though as to who rides the loaned horses as wouldn't want to risk ruining anyone's horse. The horses afre assessed by the yard manager and start off in higher level riding groups there. I would hope that's the same procedure at BB.

However, on an additional note, I don't necessarily think it's a suitable life for a green 4 yo either unless they are a particularly laid back type. The last thing you'd want is your horse's education being put back because they are over-worked or over-faced.
 
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