Morning all, an early morning dillema for you...

[FrankieBoy]

... I got offered a job last night. A pretty amazing one, which pays better than i could imagine at this point in time. Its for an assistant bar manager, which at 21 seems like a rather brilliant opportunity for me. However... It is an hour away from me, and the job is a live in job only. The flats amazing, and the job seems like everything i could want. But what do i do with the horses? I have a mare and foal, (foal is 5 months next week) and a 2 year old shetland... Before the job offer i was considering putting my mare up for loan/share anyway, but when the foal had been weaned and I had brought her back into work, As 3 horses are costing me the earth and quite frankly, i cant afford it at the moment.
The job is to start on August the 1st, so essentially i would have a month to sort the horses. I have a home for the foal to go to when shes ready to be weaned and have had a few offers for my mare to go out on full loan, but im just not sure i want to put her through the stress of taking the foal away then moving her to a completely differnt yard, with someone new? Ive had her just under a year and moved her once, she hated it and Im not convinced i'll find someone who is experienced enough to bring her back into work without pushing her, that can handle a somewhat stressy mare for the first month or so...
All signs are pointing to me turning down this job, as the horses have to come first... But realistically, unless something amazing comes along job wise for me... I cant afford to keep the horses anyway.
I have to give my answer to the offer of the job by 7pm today...
I just wondered what your thoughts were?
Sorry for a long'en...
Jen.

 

[Megan_T]

Oooh thats a tough one. You need to think about what is really want more.... if you feel that you'd probably have to sell them anyway, then the stress issue doesn't matter so much, as they're going to go through that either way....

It's a shame you have to provide them with an answer so quickly. Can you accept the job and find someone to look after the horses whilst they're up for sale?

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Take the job - you have a month to sort out your horses. Right now in this economic market you need to make the most of any job opportunity that comes along - no job = no horses!!

It may seem a bit harsh but as I am considerably older than you (!) I have been through recessions before and the most important thing to do is to to hang on to a decent job! You have to consider your future/money making opportunities as well as your horses.

 

[shadowboy]

I would take the job as ultimately you may well have to sell the horses. In a month the foal will be 6 months and weanable. The mare will be upset theres no doubt about it, but start to wean slowly now feed foal in a different stable from her, tying them a few tie up rings apart etc etc so its less stress full and for the first month of loan, perhaps visit once a week to help her new carer deal with her.

this rcession may well be about for a while longer, I am having to move to the other side of the country as my partner has found a job in shropshire- he couldnt turn it down so we move in Aug too. (but my pony will come with me)

 

[FrankieBoy]

Yep, I thnk you're right... i really cant justify turning down this opportunity, it could be months before something else comes along. My only worry is finding someone willing to take my mare on in colchester, at her current yard. a month isnt long, and usually people who want a full loan want a fit, ready to go horse that they can immediately start having fun on. The hassle of bringing starla back into work etc etc isnt really going to appeal to most people, i dont think...
I guess ill just have to wait and see what happens. and with regards to the foal, shes already eating her own hard feed, walks away from the mare and ties up seperately with no worrys, so I think come weaning she'll cope alright on her own

thanks for the advice everyone x