Pros and cons of a second horse?

[littlen]

Following last post about project horse I have been offered. Really like her but wasn't really looking for a second horse

How much more work can I expect? Do you have two or prefer 1?

So pros:
Can ride with my sharer
Ride different horses
Can show which my other horse can't but I really enjoy.
Sharer will take horse 1 on full loan.

Cons:
Cost!!!
Time.
Will be in separate fields as 1 mare 1 gelding.
Will be a struggle to fight for a box on current yard

Anything i have missed?

 

[meesha]

sounds to me that if you could put both in same field and sort out the box issue then go for it !! I never can understand why people keep mares and gelding seperate. If loaner to take on full loan that should sort the money and time issue out !

Only other consideration would be that market isnt great at the moment so if you are looking to sell the project soon I would factor in low selling cost and winter feed !

I have 2 but one is retired !! i have bought own land as cost of keeping 2 on livery was too steep even on diy - at least this way land bought is an investment - its amazing if you tell the bank you want to increase the mortgage for "home improvements" they lend you the money that you can then spend on land hahah........

 

[littlen]

Thanks?

True might have a word with YO about a box!
Seems like a big step but then again I am sure that my sharer will help me.

Horse is a very good bargain , so much that even if I had her a year I wouldn't loose out as she is free to me

 

[fidleyspromise]

Will your sharer actually be loaning first horse or will it just be a full share and your still paying the horses costs?

I have 2 - got second one a year ago - and wouldn't go back to one. Second horse isn' backed so I'm finding she's a lot more work than one that is ridden etc. I haven't found the costs to be that much different although the time for each of them has been difficult to balance, in summer its about double the time and in the middt of winter I found that I was best adding time and a half to getting them both done.

If you already have a sharer, then that should make life easier.