Managing horses and GCSEs?

[itsapiebald]

Some of you might remember my similar post to this a while back...

I basically want to know how people have managed school and horses

Competing isn't an issue as I'll be going out Friday evenings or Saturdays every few weeks.

What I want to know is what do people do with there horses in the mornings before school and what do you do after school?

TIA

 

[HashRouge]

Well it's been a while since I was at school (!) but I found it very easy to juggle horse and GCSEs. Over winter I went up in the morning to muck out, do all my jobs and turnout. Then after school I could just bring in and ride, and be home by 5.30pm. That left plenty of time to get my work done in the evenings. Summer was even easier, though sometimes if I had a lot of work and wanted more time in the afternoon/ evening I would get up early and ride before school. Honestly, I thought it was going to be a lot harder than it was and even considered putting my horse on loan for year 11. But it was absolutely fine, and I got straight A*s

 

[itsapiebald]

Well it's been a while since I was at school (!) but I found it very easy to juggle horse and GCSEs. Over winter I went up in the morning to muck out, do all my jobs and turnout. Then after school I could just bring in and ride, and be home by 5.30pm. That left plenty of time to get my work done in the evenings. Summer was even easier, though sometimes if I had a lot of work and wanted more time in the afternoon/ evening I would get up early and ride before school. Honestly, I thought it was going to be a lot harder than it was and even considered putting my horse on loan for year 11. But it was absolutely fine, and I got straight A*s

Thankyou got your quick reply!

That's what I was thinking of doing-stables in the morning so I can ride in the evenings to keep my pony fit.

We can't fill haynets in advance at my yard as the YO doesn't like it so that limits how much I can save time

 

[FDLady]

I hate to admit it was a while since i was doing gcse's >_< I've just finished university so education amongst horses has been my life for a good few years. My` GSCE's and A-levels i found very straight forward to balance with the yard.

Weekends i would make a giant batch of feeds and haynets so that was one less job in the week. Mornings i would dress in my uniform and then wear a onesie over the top (fashionista of the yard i like to think). I worked through as many jobs as i could. Turn out, muck out, soak the feed - then off to school. My parents use to work full time so i use to cycle the 45 minutes from school to the yard and change into clothes id left up there that morning - all i had to do then was bring in and ride. I was lucky to have an indoor school for the first year but then it was by a small temporary flood light from screwfix in a paddock come winter when we moved up the rode for better grass. By the time i'd finished and rugged up my mother would pick me up and we'd head home for dinner then homework. In summer it was a lot easier if it was a really hot day (too hot to ride), i'd go straight home from school and get on with my work. After dinner mum would take me up the yard and i'd hack out at 9pm onwards when the light was with us. If you cant fill haynets in advance make sure you have the net ready or consider hay bars etc...

Saturday was competing day if we were going out and Sunday was revision/home work day. Sundays my horses always had (still have) off from work - it means i have no excuse but to get on with jobs! Its now habit and i dont even tempt it.

Id just say be tough with yourself and know what to prioritise. If you have a deadline consider lunging instead or work in the library in your lunch hour to get as much out the way as possible. But always remember to try your hardest and that you need a break away from the work/stress My yard(s) were my haven.

 

[scats]

I didn't change anything if I'm honest and I'm probably not the best person to respond to this as I didn't really put enough (OK, any) effort into my GCSEs or A-Levels.

I have since got two degrees and am a secondary school teacher myself so I do think in that sense I am qualified to give a bit of advice! Do not stress out and assume you have to study every second of every day because you don't. Work hard in school and try to get as much done during lessons so you don't add unnecessary homework into the equation. If you normally go to the yard straight after school until tea time then do that! You need a break.

Then come home, have some tea and set aside 2 hours for work.

Weekends- perhaps set aside a few hours of one day for work- maybe one morning or afternoon. Do not give up you whole weekend, you need down time, relaxation time and time to just be a teenager!

I am probably in the minority but I'm a teacher who doesn't believe in homework and I don't believe children should be slogging their guts out and stressing over exams. Life is too short and there are always other avenues into things if the results aren't what you hoped.