Share ended - practicalities of giving a horse time off?

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Mermie

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I'm in my 3rd year of university (so finishing next year) and my horse is at home - I couldn't afford to bring her with me. U
p until recently she was being loaned out to a lady who kept her ticking over but her circumstances have changed and now she doesn't have the time.
It took me a year originally to find a sharer because she's quite sharp and needs someone confident and with winter coming up I think it will make it even harder.
So, my other option is to keep her off work until I've done my finals (around May/June next year). Is that a bit of a bonkers idea?
What are the practicalities of doing this? She's barefoot and out 24/7. She's 14 if that makes a difference.

I know people often give horses winter/summer off but 6 months seems a long time.
 
That sounds like the best option to me, you will need to bring her back into work carefully to build her fitness when you have finished Uni. I'm sure she'll be fine.
 
Not at all. My sisters horse rarely gets ridden when she's at uni. He gets hacked when she comes home to visit but that about it until summer. So long as you have the guts to get on after the break!
 
6 months isn't that long really, many horses have that long off due to injury with no ill affects. If you think she'll be settled not being in work then I can't see any issues with it, just build her up slowly when you get back on her :)
 
Thank you for replies.
Probably being stupid, she won't mind 6 months gorging on grass at all!
I guess I could do short walks during Christmas and Easter so she doesn't become a complete cow.
 
I only keep a handful of my horses ticking over during the winter. The majority of mine have all winter off and then I start them back up again around May/June time after all the foals are on the ground and most of the mares have been rebred. I just don't have time to routinely keep them all up and going and this way works for me, and has done for years now.
 
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