Schooling Livery

Halfpass

Halfpass

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My horse is going to my trainers for 2 weeks while I am on holiday. Other then her tack what else to I need to take with her.

How often would you expect your horse to be ridden over 2 weeks and should I expect her to be kept in the same routine that I have her in at home?

I am going to look at the yard next week sometime and have a chat with my trainer are there any questions I should be asking?

Sorry for all the questions but I have never sent a horse away before, I have just got her going nicely after various times off due to injury etc so felt I wanted to keep this up while I was away!
 
I haven't sent a horse away either but I would guess you might need to send any general stuff with her i.e. rugs, boots possibly headcollar.

In terms of what to ask I'd want to know about feed - will she be fed the same sort of feed as she is getting now. What forage do they feed i.e. hay or haylage and will that change from what she currently gets (also do you have a choice). You will probably need to supply supplements too if she has any.

I'd also ask about turnout and routine at the yard in question. I guess if she's going for a couple of weeks you'd like to keep her routine as close to yours as possible but if the yard routine is radically different this may not be possible. Also this may sound odd but if they have a horsewalker or treadmill or something, it could be worth asking if they intend to put her on it - esp if she hasn't been on one before.

Can't think of anything else to be honest although I'm sure there must be more.

Good luck with it anyway, hope it all goes to plan :-)
 
Do a print out with emergency details, your vets and farrier's numbers, and if you have horse insurance, those details just in case.

Regarding riding, agree what you want in advance. Or leave it up to the trainer's judgment but agree minimum and maximum.
 
Since you've got an existing relationship with the trainer, I'm sure this doesn't apply, but as a general suggestion for anyone sending a horse to an outfit they don't know, it's worth asking WHO will be riding the horse! On some yards it's almost standard to put working students or similar on lower level horses, which is fine if you're okay with it but I think people find it a bit galling if they don't know in advance. I know people who have sent horses to "competition pros" where the pro is actually away for a significant portion of the horse's stay.

Some places have young horse specialists or similar, in which case it might even be preferable, and it can be useful for the trainer to see someone less experienced on the horse but, again, that should all be laid out in advance.
 
I'd want to sort out my expectations and make sure they match those of my trainer. Are you expecting her to simply be in full livery while you are away or are you expecting your trainer to provide a schooling livery? I.E. is the horse just being exercised for you or are you hoping/expecting that the trainer will be working on some issues/problem areas that you have both identified in your regular sessions together?

I'd also ask the trainer what kit she wants you to take along with the horse. Previously I've have been asked to supply an entire wardrobe and other times I've been asked to supply just saddle and bridle. I know, having been based with a pro-rider in the past, that some yards can be very busy and bits of kit can become misplaced very easily (and without any malice) so it may be easier to ask for minimum tack only. I'd mark any rugs etc that you do take to help everyone identify them - even if it is just with coloured plastic cable ties.

I'd also let your vet know that you are placing the horse in the care of your trainer for a fortnight - if you use the same vets as us they will not attend the horse or treat it if YOU haven't approved or requested the call (even in an emergency), or notified them in advance that X trainer is authorised to request attendance.

Have a great holiday!
 
Henry just came back from 2 weeks schooling livery, he had 2 days off in 2 weeks. We supplied rugs, feed, boots headcollar and tack. We also send him off with feed and calmer. Hay was included in price.

Ask about turnout, Henry had regular turnout with 2 other horses but isn't dominant so wasn't a problem.

Have a great holiday :)
 
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