Should I buy another pony despite promising to never spend anymore money ever again

Should babypony say yes or no

  • yes

    Votes: 44 77.2%

  • no

    Votes: 9 15.8%

  • put down the bottle of wine and go to bed

    Votes: 8 14.0%
  • Total voters
    57
B

Babypony

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I have been offered the pony of a lifetime. Won't say much so as to not out myself. I already have two of my own. I cope. I love them. They get worked a few times a week each. They are of course well taken care of, and of good weights going into winter. I can afford another. I think I will kick myself if I say no. But, I work full time, and I am perhaps at 80% of the limit of what I can cope with regarding extra curriculars (time with ponies). I also promised myself to spend no more money. Is three so much more work than two? I only ever expected to have one, then I needed a companion which ended up being a super and very rideable pony, and now this opportunity has come along. I am agonising over it, and have been since I knew it was for sale. There's no question about whether I want it, but I need a reality check. I do perhaps have less energy than most people, but I have coped with a very difficult summer strip grazing with no facilities and hauling water on my own for miles, spending in excess of 4 hours every night after work tending to my ponies, clearing their fields, adjusting the fencing and working them (I know, woe is me, we all work hard of course.) I managed it. I'm now in a place where there is no maintenance at all other than poo picking. What is the sensible decision here? What would you do?
 
Babypony said:
I think I will kick myself if I say no.
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Worst case scenario; If you don't cope, and pony is as wonderful as you say they are then they can toddle off to a person equally as delighted to have them with no harm done and you'll not have regrets forever because you gave it a go.

Disclaimer: I only have one and will only ever have one as the thought of more of them to worry about makes me ill 😂
 
smolmaus said:
Worst case scenario; If you don't cope, and pony is as wonderful as you say they are then they can toddle off to a person equally as delighted to have them with no harm done and you'll not have regrets forever because you gave it a go.

Disclaimer: I only have one and will only ever have one as the thought of more of them to worry about makes me ill 😂
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Ooh that is an excellent perspective. Thank you! I shall add this to the yes side of my pros and cons word doc 😂
 
3 is a useful number to have. It depends on ages and jobs though. I seem to have ended up with 4 or similar ages plus a few others older or younger 😀 - but they’re not all ridden.
 
Mr Red was always very specific on this. I actually have 4 stables but am only allowed to fill 2 of them. So, yes, I can always have a new horse, but would have to decide which one went.

At the time, it seemed frustrating but, on reflection, I think he saved me from myself!

Rigs is lovely but only really a light hack and I have thought of buying another. Mr Red died and so I could get a third but, I decided he was right about what would be fun and what would not be, so if I did get another, Rigs would be on loan, or in a retirement livery. I'm not prepared to do this yet, so here he is.
 
It sounds like yours are out 24/7?
I found 3 a lot in winter when they were stabled but 2 were oldies and needed that extra TLC so was more work.

My biggest worry would be regretting not taking the horse 😂 if you struggle then get a sharer 😁
 
I had three once - it was fine. I found the jump from one to two rather overwhelming at first but adding a third seemed surprisingly easy. It's great in that the companion has a companion when you're riding one and if they're all rideable, you can invite friends to ride out with you and help with the poo picking afterwards ;)
 
I have 3. If you don't need 3 (so need another because the first two fret if you take one out), then don't get another. This is going to be an expensive and wet winter and you work full time. Be sensible and say no. You don't have time and it is wet and dark for the next 3 months (which will feel like 6).
 
I had 2 riding horses plus a companion whilst I was working full-time.
However I did have them at home which makes it easier to slot in together horse-jobs and house-jobs.
It is doable but you don't get much time for other stuff, and a supportive hubby/family is pretty essential.
I loved having 2 to ride, they were both different and I learnt so much from having to adapt to each individual
 
What would you get from a third horse that you can't or don't get from your current two? Is it just a case of the grass is greener?

I'm really impulsive with animals so I've started asking myself that question and it does help. Otherwise you just go on and on. I'd personally use the resources you have on your current two. The more you have the less time you'll have for them all individually.

If you weigh up the basic additional cost of what a third one will cost you, even for just dentist, farrier, vacs (500 a year?) - that's £500 you could be using to spoil your current neddies :)
 
I'm always in the 'buy the horse' camp. And have bought many impulsively. I would make a different decision in hindight with some of them, but have not regretted any as all have taught me something. My biggest regretted purchases have been carefully chosen but missold who I am then stuck with. A true gem is hard to find and therefore never a bad idea as options are always wide open with sound, kind ponies.
 
I have 3 at home but only work a 2 day week & I struggle tbh. I couldnt keep them any easier or cheaper but 2 out of the 3 are in work & this equates to 4 hours a day 7 days a week which is like a full time job on top of my job.
I really dont know how you cope with a full time job as well.
I am selling one next year & potentially selling a 2nd. At 60 my body & finances are telling me to slow up!
 
I currently have two - the jump from one to two was fine, but honestly I've made the jump to 3 twice and both times I have found it absolutely too much, especially with working full time.

Definitely consider what you would get from #3 that you aren't getting from #1 or #2, would be my advice
 
I always have found 3 is double the work of two. You may as well have 4 at that point. I dont know why but thats how its always been for me.

However I still voted yes. Maybe buy this one and sell one of the others?
 
I have 4 at home, having jumped from 2 to 4 this year. Only one is potentially ridden (not back from maternity leave properly yet). The others are one retiree and 2 youngsters. I also ride 2 at the riding school. It can be a lot. My plan is to go down to three when the Old Lady leaves us.
I think if you are happy to either do less with all three or find a sharer / loaner to help with one or two, then go for it! As others have said, there is always the possibility of moving one on if it's too much (though would you want / be able to move one on if necessary). Also factor in if you're happy for your house to be a mess and meals repetitive because no time for house work and cooking.
If you will just get frustrated about not doing enough with all of them or likely to burn out, then don't.
 
I once had 6 with a full time job. Only poo picked one field and turned blind eye to the winter one. They were 4 ridden, fit enough to compete. 2 retired. Ride and lead worked but less traffic back then.
 
I’ve had three.
The worst time for me is winter and you really need to be motivated to ride.
My only caution is to be aware the cost of forage is rising so work out if you can afford it. Hoping for a better yield next year.
 
Babypony said:
Ooh that is an excellent perspective. Thank you! I shall add this to the yes side of my pros and cons word doc 😂
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I have never regretted getting another pony. My friend was selling her daughters PC schoolmaster, both my daughters had ponies to ride, but I knew the he was a point and shoot type, so I paid the most I ever paid for anything, at that time.
At one point I had twelve spilt over three fields in different places and I operate the spinning plates policy, do the one that needs the most, and then swap to the next.
Its a lot easier to find helpers if they have something to ride. I am down to four but only one is ridable, and I can not be bothered to loan him out again.
What would bother me is the cost of hay not lack of time.
 
honetpot said:
I have never regretted getting another pony. My friend was selling her daughters PC schoolmaster, both my daughters had ponies to ride, but I knew the he was a point and shoot type, so I paid the most I ever paid for anything, at that time.
At one point I had twelve spilt over three fields in different places and I operate the spinning plates policy, do the one that needs the most, and then swap to the next.
Its a lot easier to find helpers if they have something to ride. I am down to four but only one is ridable, and I can not be bothered to loan him out again.
What would bother me is the cost of hay not lack of time.
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Thanks so much, the spinning plates approach is a great idea. Luckily I have plenty of grass going into winter, and if it comes to it we have a hay supplier as well. I've bit the bullet and said I'll have the pony. Couldn't be happier.
 
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