Loaning a horse to equine college

seadog

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I want only your GOOD experiences please and what sort of horse you have

I'm going to uni in sept and have been unsure what to do with my horse.
I was looking for a full loan private home but no one seems interested because she doesn't hack alone and will pace in the field alone...other than that she is pretty perfect, loves attention.
I thought an equine college would be the ideal place for her as she wouldn't be required to hack alone or be in the field alone.

I've trawled the search on here and have only found bad experiences, which has put me off rather. So please anyone with a good experience please post...and let me know what kinda personality your horse has....if i get no replies it means its a bad idea!

Many thanks
 
Mine was on loan to an Equine college for one year but I was at that college as well. He, at the time, was 6 years old and he's a connemara x TB. He did very well to be honest and his flat work actually came on leaps and bounds being there. He gave a few of the students some 'fun' whilst being lead to and from the fields (2 leaders with stallion chains!) and even embarrassed the yard manager once whilst she was leading him from another field but stopped to chat to some owners of some horses on livery. My horse thought s*d this, it's dinner time and just b*ggered off, leaving yard manager feeling most incompetent.

The only thing I don't think was helped by him being there was his jumping as he did start to stop a little bit which he had never done before - I think maybe due to the varying degree of riders who had him in jumping lessons. However, he wasn't the easiest horse to jump - always been spooky and silly about fillers but would basically jump anything once he took it seriously (I knew that though as he was my horse).

My horse was a very sociable soul and loved people and attention of any kind so I think that's why he did pretty well.

I would make sure though what the colleges turnout etc are - where mine was (Brackenhurst) all horses got turn out each day (I think) and in the spring/summer they were out over night as well. No horses were turned out alone or left out in a field alone either. Some colleges do not turnout really at all and I think that's terrible so would never send my horse to one like that.
 
Think it really does depend on the horse.Friend has three on loan to a college.I know, I know.They all seem to be fine and they do get regular and decent turnout.The little cob, cheeky little so and so LOVES college.You couldn't drag him away.Try it and see.The other thing to consider is working livery at a GOOD riding school.They do about 2 hours work a day and have a good life.Sometimes I think both of these options are better than a loan home unless it really is very good.Your horse will get decent and competent care.
 
My horse is on loan to a college while I recover from having C section. While he's been there his flatwork has come on loads & he will now pop a jump where as before he was just a happy hacker. He gets turned out everyday but has to go on his own because he's a bit of a bully to geldings. He's fine with mares but most yards dont mix mares & geldings. He also has had his sarcoids removed whilst at college & they did a good job of looking after him while his wound healed. So I can say that my experience has been good. He's at Holme Lacy.
 
We loaned our horse to Hartpury whilst I did A levels and needed 1 less horse at home- and he loved it- never been so fit in his life! We are local so could visit him and ride him in the shows there and were even able to take other horse up to school around the XC FOC! Was a positive experience for us and I'd do it again if the need arises.
 
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