Time saving tips needed

[jumpingginger]

Hi all.

I need some advice from your good selves. I have had my horse for 3 years (technically owned her 1 1/2 years, loaned her before that) but in that time I have been at University. I lived at home and commuted there, and only had about 10 hours of lectures a week. So basically I've been a lady of leisure, with a couple of part time jobs. I can go up the stables whenever I want and for as long as I want!

Unfortunately, the imminent arrival of the world of work is upon me! Therefore I need some time saving tips from those of you who also combine horses with long working hours (which most of us do as horses are so darn expensive!). What are your routines? I will be keeping her on DIY. <font color="purple">

 

[Abbeygale]

Get as many things ready for the morning muck out as you can the evening before - eg do your haynets, mix feed, put out any necessary rugs so they are quickly to hand in the morning.

In the winter my horses are in over night and out during the day - and if I am running a bit tight on time I will do their waters in the evening when I bring them in.

In the middle of winter (i.e. proper rug weather!!) I use turn out rugs as stable rugs. If a turn out rug comes in soaked through it is changed for a dry one so they aren't standing in a wet rug in the stable, but then they are ready to just be turned out in the morning.

I generally always work from one end of my yard to the other - and do one thing in each stable and work down - so skip out each stable (with the hose pipe filling buckets if I am on time

) and then put hay in each stable, and then sweep the stables and the yard (if that makes any sense!!!)

Good luck!

 

[Sol]

Making up haynets &amp; feeds (without water or anything liquid added until they're actually given) all at one time say, at a weekend, and then they're all ready for the rest of the week.
Just generally being organized tends to help a lot I find... not putting everything away properly may save time at that moment - but later when you can't find a damn thing because it's all in a heap, it isn't quite so helpful

 

[Swirlymurphy]

Get up to yard at 6.15am.
Turn live-in pony out into enclosed yard with his breakfast while I muck his stable out.
All his lotions/potions (severe sweetitch so has a make-up bag bigger than mine) right by stable door so don't need to go unlocking/looking for anything.
Fill haynets, make evening feeds while filling water buckets.
Turn pony out whilst carrying breakfasts/fly masks/muzzle for others that live out. Feed/check on them.
Leave 6.45am.

Evening - depends on whether I have daughter with me in which case I poo-pick whilst she does the above. Otherwise poo-picking waits till next day.

Over the winter it obviously gets a little more complicated what with changing rugs etc but then I don't have to apply so many lotions/potions - swings and roundabouts really!

It can be done - it's done by plenty of people - and only by doing it will you find what routine suits you - where you can shave off a few minutes etc. Good luck!

 

[dwi]

Will your horse lead and let you push a wheelbarrow at the same time? Saves loads of time if you take your poo picking barrow up with you when you turn out.

 

[Dogstar]

Rubber matting with no or little bedding! I have Equimats with the thick version for my old girl. Saves time mucking out, no dust, plus I can get all 3 stables mucked out into one wheelbarrow load which means one trip to the muck heap instead of three! Also, buy good quality turnout rugs and leave them on day and night when in a hurry; if they are wet they will dry out overnight, much nicer than putting a cold, damp rug on in the morning. Oh and don't use haynets. They are a hazard anyway. Just chuck the hay straight on the floor!

 

[spookypony]

See if your horse can live out 24/7.

 

[jumpingginger]

Thanks all!
Trouble is our yard does not allow 24/7 turnout, even in summer! Bit of a nuisance actually, which is why I am considering moving as it is ridiculous spending £50 a month on shavings and hay in summer!! Plus they have a curfew of 8:30pm, and if I am working I don't want to have to rush up there and ride when it is light until 10:30pm in June and July!! Would save me a fortune, and a heck of a lot of money!!