Putting your horse on loan to a college

I did look at this before but to be honest I'd prefer my horse to go somewhere that it had more of a 1:1 relationship - it's personal preference though.

If you have a horse that needs loads of exercise then it may be a good idea.....
 
If you do, then please do your homework thoroughly regarding their hours of work, diet and care.
I know of two people that have, that have not been at all pleased with how their horses were treated in this so called professional environment and they were removed pretty damn sharpish. To think that these colleges are teaching these methods is very scary and not good news for horses in general IMHO. Different colleges too I might add although I'm sure some of them are excellent.

One mare went lame three months after starting college - it was a very bad case of thrush in both front feet because of their management or lack of it!
The other was a big ID x Cob that was literally being starved (3kg haylage to last him from 9 am to 6 pm, then a 5kg one to last all night! - and be expected to work hard on that!) and he rebelled and became very grumpy, snapping at anyone who went near him, so unlike him but they asked him to go as he became dangerous. Once removed from there, given access to a normal diet for a horse of that size, he immediately reverted to his sunny self. I wouldn't send a rat to that particular college - and I hate rats!
 

Please can you PM the name of that college, so I know to stear clear!!
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Would echo what everyone else says, do your homework and try and speak to people who have horses at the college. We had a very mixed experience, Murph was at a college and for the first college year everything was great, we visited very regularly, he was kept fit and well, and was being used for clinics with well known professinal riders instructing, when he came back to daughter in holidays was in great form and ready to compete. Then the second year had a couple of issues in October/November (e.g. he was out in company when we asked for t/o alone), but he seemed happy and in good condition. Then just before Xmas received a phone call saying he was refusing to go in stable and getting very stressed, so we brought him home. There had been a change of yard manager in October, so possibly a change in the way of doing things had upset him, he can be a stubborn b ****r and if allowed to get away with things would soon get worse . Anyway he is back at home now, sadly doing very little but seems quite happy and has got most of his manners back. To be fair a neighbour has her mare at the same college and she is still very happy with the care she gets.
 
Also to add, I am not 100% sure but I don't think horses in most college's get any turnout at all, especially not through winter. So if your horse is used to being out in the field (which I kinda hope he is.. lol) then you have to take this into consideration too on his management.
xx
 
My friend sent hers to a college and although their treatment of the horse was very good, this particular horse started to nap as it could not cope with different riders with different abillities. Also she could not cope with the amount of work expected of her. Once back home reverted straight back to her usual self. Would definately do your homework on what would be expected of your horse, also most colleges send the horses back home in the holidays or charge full livery if they are able to stay there which can become quite expensive. Good luck in your search.
 
Worked for my horse. She is quite clever and needs quite a lot of work to keep her happy and sane. She loved all the attention, but the college I sent my horse to are quite picky about who they take and will send a horse back if it doesn't settle in. They have always been really good at owner communication.

PM me if you want more details!
 
Since being at college I wouldn't, my horse was used as a college horse when i met her the first year she was ok, I left and she returned to be taken away pretty sharpish the following winter as she was unwell and quiet depressed. I brought her in the May and she has never been unwell or depressed since! They have 1/2 a day turn out a week at the weekend, during the week they are stabled with the only break from being stabled is ridden or lunged.

Some horses do throughly enjoy this but some don't so again look into the options.
 
One of the mares on our yard went to a local college when her owner was pregnant, i was quite surprised that they took her because she wasn't really the school master they were looking for.
She used to be one of the easiest horses to do but won't stand in on her own, is a pain at feed time etc.
After about 3 months the college phonned to say that they didn't need her anymore, friend was just about to pop and it was a real pain because she thought she was all organised.
2 weeks later she barged out of the stable and broke her owners collarbone.
Its a few years ago now but she is only just getting back to how she was.
She was a relatively easy horse before so wouldn't like to think how a more difficult horse would be.
 
I would recommend Warwickshire college. The horses dont work that much, Get atleast one day a week off, usually two.
They also operate a scheme where by a student, if they like the horse, can take them on as a 'Pat a Pony' which means thay get some of the one to one care which they crave.

I also know the Yard Manager and shes very sensible with work loads, feeding, and riders.

Lou x
 
Bad bad bad... came back like a different horse and took months to get to trust again and was never the same horse ever again. Im sure not all colleges are the same but I would never send a horse but to this particular college. fellfree to PM if you need to know where
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Why not look for a BHS where to train centre???

The riding school I ride at is one and they often have trouble finding suitable horses for their students at a higher level in particular. They will accept horses on working livery and on loan.

I have seen some of the horses they have had on working livery and on loan and they all benefit from it.

They include:
A veteren that needed more regular work than his elderly owner could manage. Worked well and he was a great dressage school master for the more advanced kids and small adults until his arthritis got too bad.

A 4 year old bought by a very novicey owner. Was brought on well by higher level students and staff, working very well when owner decided she could cope alone and moved it to DIY. This horse used to get better care from the school than the owner who amongst other things didn't believe in getting the horses back done......

Three mares that could best be described as problem horses, one loaned during pregnancy, currently a project for the staff and only being ridden by one riding school client due to size and issues. One loaned due to lack of time and money, went from being a stressy whizzy horse that would barely walk to winning some prelim dressage, jumping was more of a work in progress as she'd only been gallopped at single fences with her owner. School tried to buy her but sadly owner decided not to give up after all. Third still there and proving a valuable addition to the school being used for exams, for university competitions and lessons, and is getting ridden regularly and managed by riders more capable than her owner.

I think if you can find the right place it can be a great way to keep a horse working and improving. Best of all you know that the horse is being competently looked after and is not likely to be suddenly returned as they normally want a proper contract in place.
 
I put my mare on loan to Walford and North Shropshire college. She was treated well and cared for well, she settled in fine, wasnt a problem atall. But she wasnt herself while she was ther, she became very distance - always standing at the back of her box and she just seamed very down and low. I wod not do it again with my own horse i dont think but i no many people who this works very well for.

As already said, most college dont turn the horses out much but ther are a few college who do have systems in place to keep the horse in as normal state as posible. Warwick - Morrton Morrel and Reaseheath are veryy good. Iv heard good things about Rodbastion and i know that Holme Lacy college have all year turn out.

Good luck with finding somewhere for your horse.
 
My horse was at college - admittedly I was at the college too so saw him everyday. However, he seemed to love it but then he's a horse who loves to have things going on around him and enjoys pleasing people. They had maybe 2 hours of a work a day and it would alternate between flatwork, lunge lessons and jumping with the odd xcountry thrown in for the more experienced riders in the spring/summer.

The horses would get some turnout in winter and were out all night and parts of the day in summer depending on whether they were being used that day. I think the turnout was very important for the horse's well being though and the college had plenty of land.

All in all I was very happy and my horse settled into the routine very well. Every lunchtime they would get a load of carrots for their 'lunch' and then all the horses would nap as the yard was quite. I took my mum to see him one lunchtime and there was no way he was getting up for us, it was 'his' time! It was very funny!

As said though it would depend on the horse some probably wouldn't suit it. Mine was at Brackenhurst in Notts - if you want any more info let me know.
 
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