Taking horse to university?

[yak]

Hi,

With any luck I'll be off to university in September, hopefully the University of Liverpool (dreading results day!)

My plan is to leave my horse at home for the first few weeks until I'm settled and then move him to livery near the university, preferably somewhere that can offer help (i.e turn out/feed) if needed.

Has anyone else done anything similar? I know a lot of people loan horses out whilst they go to university, but I really don't want to. I've just started looking at livery yards near to liverpool and there's more than I expected there to be which is a good thing but I think it's too early to be making enquiries, particularly as I don't know if I've got in yet!

 

[happybear]

I haven't been in this position myself but I know a few who have been. One thing to consider (if you haven't already) is that University holidays are actually quite long - it's somewhere in the region of a month off over Christmas, a month at Easter and 3 or 4 months over summer depending on where you are and what course you study. It's therefore worth giving some thought to where you're intending to be over those holidays. I know when I was at Uni, I normally came home for the entire duration of those holidays. So it's worth considering whether you'd travel your horse back and forwards for the holidays, and where you would livery both when at home and at Uni (and whether you would end up paying double livery to keep both places!)

Best of luck for results day!

 

[Spot On]

I did this last year (my 2nd year in Uni) it was so amazing to realive stress from college but the one thing is I didn't take breaks from college ie at holloween, easter mid term ect I stayed up in college looking after an driding Marble. He came home for a month at X-mas. but the other thing is I have an easy work load with 16hours a week of lectures

 

[yak]

Thank you. I'm lucky that I rent a field at home so I wouldn't have to pay two livery spaces. I've thought about it (briefly) and I think I would only bring him home during the summer months. Liverpool is a 45 minute drive from my house, so during the shorter terms I could still get to see him a couple of times a week, whilst keeping him on full livery.

I think thats another think I need to factor in, how many hours I will in lectures etc.

Thank you

 

[huskydamage]

When I went to Uni I picked one that was purposely not too far (2hours) I stayed there in the week and worked bloody hard to finish all my stuff so I had free weekends then I travelled back home and did my horse. Luckily for me my horse could stay out most of the time with my mum very kindly looked after her for me in the week ( I am indebted now!). I went to a city Uni and really enjoyed going back to the countryside at the weekend, as happybear has said already you do get long holidays. My mates at Uni thought I was nuts working so hard to get my free weekends lol but I wanted my free time FREE and appreciated the time to relax.

 

[Gracie21]

If money's irrelevant then go for it.

Personally, I have had to work whilst at uni to pay for my horse. It resulted in me being very stressed. Working all the hours I could meant I was doing uni work late into the night and had no time for playing ponies, let alone having a social life! I'm probably going to drive myself into the ground if I carry on into second yearn and so I'm giving up (I think, need to sell first, boo). Having him was a real comfort when I needed some time out though. The holidays are great and I've been in 'summer' since mid May so lots of time for ponies now!

 

[yak]

I think it depends upon the cost of livery. I'm out of touch with renting a field, so I need to factor in the cost of part livery in Liverpool. Any ideas of the cost of this?

With my student loan and help from my parents (I'm very lucky) I will have £550 - £700 a month for everything - my accommodation/food/social life/running of a car/livery/other horse costs. So I think I would have to get a job to help fund aspects.

It's hard though. I'm nervous/scared about going to university as it is, and having my horse with me will be a big stress reliever for me but equally I want to be able to enjoy uni and not be constantly working

 

[Spot On]

Personally at least for first semester/year don't bring the horse and enjoy having a social life and making new friends

 

[tinap]

When I went to Uni I picked one that was purposely not too far (2hours) I stayed there in the week and worked bloody hard to finish all my stuff so I had free weekends then I travelled back home and did my horse. Luckily for me my horse could stay out most of the time with my mum very kindly looked after her for me in the week ( I am indebted now!). I went to a city Uni and really enjoyed going back to the countryside at the weekend, as happybear has said already you do get long holidays. My mates at Uni thought I was nuts working so hard to get my free weekends lol but I wanted my free time FREE and appreciated the time to relax.

this is what my daughter is hoping to do when she goes in september. She wanted the uni experience of living away but still wants to get home to ride so she's going not too far away - an hour by car, 30 mins by train. I don't mind loooking after the horse while she's not here but am contemplating getting someone to ride the mare midweek to keep her ticking over x

 

[yak]

Whilst that's a good idea, thats not really an option for me. My Dad is fine with looking after him for a few weeks but it's not a long-term option, unless I could loan him out at home with my parents keeping an eye on him.

 

[only_me]

What course are you doing?

 

[yak]

Medicinal Chemistry or Biomedical science

 

[Gracie21]

Eeek how exciting! I'm doing Biological Science and it's great, so much extra work compared to other courses though!

 

[yak]

Well it all depends upon my grades, I need ABB to get in, which I'm nervous about so may have to go through clearing! Where do you go to Uni?

 

[only_me]

And do you know how many hours a week it is? Some Biochem/biomed can be 9-5 while others would be around the 20hr a week.

Honestly if your schedule is jam packed looking after a horse will be difficult, let alone keep him fit enough to do any competing.
you might be better keeping him at a livery yard near home that has full livery, and the option of exercising as well so when you do come home you have a horse that is fit and ready to compete

I kept my horse at home in my first degree and it was doable, but he was also a 4 year old so that suited well and I came home wed afternoons and weekends.
At the moment I am doing another degree but hours are 9-5 and I commute from home and because of limited time we have switched to dressage as he dosent need to be as fit for that as he was for eventing. Plus he lives out and you could ride him one day a week and still compete (and get placed!) as he is very easy going

 

[Gracie21]

Ah I'm sure you'll be fine! When's results day? I'm at Bournemouth, got good enough grades for "better" unis but I wanted to stay at home and it's turn out to be such a fab course. You will love uni, horse or not

 

[yak]

No idea how many hours it is, I won't find that out till September. At least I've got a few options! You sound lucky with your horse only_me! There's no way we'd get placed in anything if he was ridden once a week!

Results day is the 14th August I think, I'm trying to block it out of my mind to be honest! Just going to wait and see! I want to stay close to home too, but also want "city" life so Liverpool seemed the best compromise! Worst case scenario I could get a train home every day although thats obviously not ideal!

 

[Apercrumbie]

On that income you will definitely need to work to support a horse. Accomodation will eat into that income hugely and we all know how much decent livery can cost. It would definitely be worth going into Liverpool this summer and starting to hand in cvs at places where you want to work as it will be too late by the time you start uni. I was lucky and could leave my horse at home for uni (I share him with my Mum) but just a warning, if you have to work AND keep a horse, it is very tiring and stressful, as many of my friends found out.

 

[yak]

I realised about the budget when I googled accommodation costs, I'm looking at £130 per week minimum so definitely will need a job, although luckily I've managed to get some savings by working this summer already. It's a good idea about going early and handing out my CV - thank you.

 

[4April]

I left mine at home when I was a uni 70 miles away. Luckily my mum did mine in the week and I came home at weekends. During placement year I bought a competition horse so when I went back to uni for my final forth year I was back and two every other day to ride. I should have spent more time studying. I found in my first couple of years you get preoccupied with work lectures and new mates so coming home of a weekend to the horse was nice. plus if id took her she would have to come back every end of semester. im local to liverpool and dont quote me but you will need to travel to a yard by car or train everday too. good luck

 

[Houndman]

££££££££££££££££

Seriously, are you going to University to study and get good grades for your future career or are you going to spend all your spare time looking after the horse, get rubbish grades and end up stacking shelves in Tesco for the rest of your working life?

 

[samlovesprilly]

I took horse with my in second year. Loved having her there as my escape, but she was on DIY so meant I had to go up twice a day alongside uni (16ish hours a week), job and sport commitments. If I had the option for someone to t/o or b/i once a day would have saved a lot of stress and given me a few more hours to myself.
I think its doable to study, work and have horse, and rewarding but difficult to balance all 3 (and social life!!) I definitely put the horse and social life above my uni commitments and didn't really give studying as much effort as I should - and it showed when I got my results back. Also couldn't ditch the job otherwise I wouldn't have been able to pay for horse. I was stressed about money for the year, constantly tired and always busy and couldn't even go home for christmas as no one would look after my mare, but the happiest I have ever been so it defiantly can workd. good luck!

 

[yak]

££££££££££££££££

Seriously, are you going to University to study and get good grades for your future career or are you going to spend all your spare time looking after the horse, get rubbish grades and end up stacking shelves in Tesco for the rest of your working life?

I understand what you are saying, but I knew when I got my horse I wanted to go to Uni, and so did my family. I'm going to try my hardest to juggle uni/socialising/work/horse and if I feel my grades aren't as good as they could be, then I could consider loaning my horse out, but I really don't want to.

Thanks for all the advice, it's all been taken on board but obviously I won't know how I'll be able to cope with the situation until I'm at uni. I find out my results in August, and fingers crossed go to Uni in September, but even then my horse may not be joining me till November time. I know it's going to be hard, but I'm hoping I can pull it off, and if not then I know my options

 

[Tiddlypom]

If you are planning to live in hall during your first year, most of the Liverpool uni halls of residence are catered, as opposed to self catering. The canteens have clearly defined and IMHO restricted opening times, especially at weekends.

Hopeless for sporty types with irregular hours, we thought. (Both my lads looked round separately at Open Days and came to the same conclusion.)

I'm sure that you could find out how many hours per week of contact time that your course is likely to take before you start?

 

[yak]

I've applied for self catered halls but that's another thing to factor in - thanks.

I've emailed my (possible) course tutor about hours but received an automatic response saying they were out of office but I'm due to go on a "taster" course before results day anyway so I can always discuss it then.

I've spoken to a friend who mentioned the equestrian society at the university maybe able to help in some ways, e.g a possible share with another Uni student. Do you think this would be a realistic option?

 

[Houndman]

I think you've got to ask yourself whether you are taking the idea of university seriously or not (I know, I went to Uni). I really do not think it is wise to fetter yourself with such a committment as looking after a horse at this important stage in your life. It's fair enough if you live at home and go to uni and you have family to help you, but if you do what you suggest, how are you going to manage if you need vets, farriers etc? Will you have to take time out of your lectures? (tutors will take a very dim view of it if you do) Very bad idea. What are you going to do at exam time when you cannot afford to take any time off to see to your horse at all as you need all the time you have for revision! It's not as if you are going on a lightweight course where the workload is light is it? Are you going to have to go rushing off straight after lectures to see to the horse when you should really be studying what you have learnt that day. Believe me Uni is not a stroll in the park even for clever folk. If I was your course tutor I would think "Hey is this student on another planet? How can they possibly expect to study properly?" University is a serious business and you cannot afford to play around with a horse when you should be studying!

You've done your A levels. They will look like a walk in the park compared to your degree in the subject you state!

 

[forelegs]

I have my horse at uni with me (just finished my second year), which is three hours from my family home, and he only comes home in the long summer holidays.
Its great to have a stress relief and a whole different set of people to see every day. Obviously its a big responsibility but Im sure you know that already! I've had to take my car down to uni as well to be able to get to the yard, and my horse is at a fab yard on part livery who are great at helping me out at short notice if I have an urgent deadline - you'll need help!
If you're willing to put the time and money into it I'd say its been totally worth taking him to uni with me and I wouldn't have it any other way now.

 

[forelegs]

Also I know there are some negative views above, but a balance IS possible. I got a 2.1 at the end of my second year, have great friends and a lovely boyfriend and go out once or twice a week, plus going to the yard every day and competing. It isn't easy but if you can manage your time its brilliant - I love every aspect of my life and my horse is a huge part of that!

 

[HBrae2]

££££££££££££££££

Seriously, are you going to University to study and get good grades for your future career or are you going to spend all your spare time looking after the horse, get rubbish grades and end up stacking shelves in Tesco for the rest of your working life?

I would just like to say that I had my pony through university - 250miles from home in DIY livery and I achieved a 1st class honours law degree!! I got up at 5.30am and saw to her before classes and I believe she kept me sane during my finals. I worked in the riding school attached to the yard 2 evenings a week which helped pay for livery. It is all possible - most students spend a lot of time going out, if you are prepared to use this time on your horse then you will be fine. I hope you achieve everything you want to, it is entirely possible and I have done it. Good luck

 

[only_me]

I think you've got to ask yourself whether you are taking the idea of university seriously or not (I know, I went to Uni). I really do not think it is wise to fetter yourself with such a committment as looking after a horse at this important stage in your life. It's fair enough if you live at home and go to uni and you have family to help you, but if you do what you suggest, how are you going to manage if you need vets, farriers etc? Will you have to take time out of your lectures? (tutors will take a very dim view of it if you do) Very bad idea. What are you going to do at exam time when you cannot afford to take any time off to see to your horse at all as you need all the time you have for revision! It's not as if you are going on a lightweight course where the workload is light is it? Are you going to have to go rushing off straight after lectures to see to the horse when you should really be studying what you have learnt that day. Believe me Uni is not a stroll in the park even for clever folk. If I was your course tutor I would think "Hey is this student on another planet? How can they possibly expect to study properly?" University is a serious business and you cannot afford to play around with a horse when you should be studying!

You've done your A levels. They will look like a walk in the park compared to your degree in the subject you state!

I kept my horse through my first degree and also am keeping a horse through my current 2nd degree. I also played varsity level netball during first degree and am playing for uni sports team in this degree.
First degree was Physiotherapy, and at the moment I'm studying medicine. Definitely harder to do horse when on placements, but doable.

I assure you, both had/have heavy workloads. And I was working in a physio clinic one evening a week until christmas, as my workload at in uni increased in spring semester.

And and a lot of people on here went to Uni, not all kept their horse but a lot did!