time , money and worrkload going from one horse to two

[thinlizzy]

Just some advice from others who have took the step from one to two esp this time of year i could have another by next week they will both be in night s out in day i have children wondering if im doing the right thing but this is a good horse for kids to ride and cant pass this by i think im mad though !Trying to replan my day, etc, thinking if i spend less time talking and drinking tea at farm i can do it ?

 

[catkin]

It helps a lot if the horses need similar management regimes - mixing 2 similar feeds doesn't take much longer than mixing one for example. It will take longer but you soon get into a routine of carrying 2 of everything - 2 buckets, 2 haynets, which saves a few precious minutes each day.

You may have to look at your bedding if you have them in and balance out speed of mucking out versus price of bedding.

Money-wise the big things are twice as expensive as with one - bedding, feed, feet, vacs, worming etc but not so much on the other stuff - mine share headcollars, rugs, brushes etc (though have their own tack)

When I was working full time I used to ride them alternate mornings during the week and deep litter beds. They are turned out every day too - and keep each other exercised This kept them pretty fit, especially if you do initial fittening programmes at the lighter times of the year. One advantage I also found was that although they are great friends they have never been herd-bound because they both have to go out on their own or stay behind on their own.

 

[BBH]

As above it helps if they're management is the same in terms of time and being able to organise yourself. IME once you are in the routine of one horse two doesn't make a lot of difference. Get as many chores done as you can at the weekends or when time is easier ie, filling haynets, good muckouts etc

I couldn't be someone who had to dash between two yards though. I had two big horses and for the first few years they were on full livery so very easy but when I bought my own place I had a yard built and they were on a temporary DIY basis whilst the work was being done and I did pay someone to help out. But then I don't live and breathe horses so I guess it depends how dedicated you are.

 

[fidleyspromise]

I did this in May. First time having two.

Time Wise - My two live out all year round. They have similar feeds and as said doesn't take long. I make feeds/haynets all in one go so its a matter of grab feeds/haynets take them out to field poo-pick, tidy everything up and I'm off the yard in 15 minutes.
The main time for you will be the mucking out if they're in at night. I would x2 the amount of time you take with one.

Money - My two are on same feed so doesn't cost me much more to be honest but they're natives and on token feeds. Depends on what you get! Hay is where my money's going. 10 big bales for 2 ponies over winter. I bought frivolous things for my new one (head collar, her own grooming kit - one ponies grey the others bay - so saves hair going from one to the other, rugs - they're different sizes but I picked up good second hand ones. I'm not finding it's much more expensive other than double livery.

Good luck with if you do get a second one. I could never go back to having one. x

 

[star]

it's a slippery slope! i've just gone from 2 to 3!

 

[Ali2]

We were going to get a second earlier this year but ended up taking on a share with a friend on the yard. I am so glad we did and don't have two full time. For me, having two full time would just be too much.

 

[horseandshoes77]

going from 1 to 2 i found quite easy tbh now got 3 and its a struggle !

 

[thinlizzy]

def wont get any more !Unless i marry a rich farmer or rich anyone

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

i would say if you are questioning it before the new one even arrives then dont do it! mucking out/bringing in and doing off will ad another 45 mins to the equation. exercising will add another hour per day. and your costs will double! think hard before you commit, timescales based on everything going tickity boo. add at least another hour if things go pear shaped.

 

[thinlizzy]

i would say if you are questioning it before the new one even arrives then dont do it! mucking out/bringing in and doing off will ad another 45 mins to the equation. exercising will add another hour per day. and your costs will double! think hard before you commit, timescales based on everything going tickity boo. add at least another hour if things go pear shaped.

point of too late too back out now lol