To buy a horse....or not to buy a horse..HELP!!

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Chicos_Mummy

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I'm a bit stuck to say the least,
Basically a friend or mine at my yard has a 5 yr old coloured cob, she has got a bad back and is therefore selling him. He is worth about 4 thousand as he is stunning, but she said she will sell him to us for 2500 as she knows he is going to a good home. the problem is, is I'm almost 17 and am off to uni in a couple of yrs to study vet nursing. He would be used as a family horse while I'm at college, my mum and dad would ride him. But they said that he would have to come to uni with me. I'm really unsure weather to get him or not, because if I do, I've got another 30 year's with him, and id be almost 47. I would love to get him as he is an absolute angel and such a good boy, but in the long run, I'm starting to worry whether he would become a chore when I'm older. What should I do?
Thanks for reading this far! X
 
Chicos_Mummy said:
I'm a bit stuck to say the least,
Basically a friend or mine at my yard has a 5 yr old coloured cob, she has got a bad back and is therefore selling him. He is worth about 4 thousand as he is stunning, but she said she will sell him to us for 2500 as she knows he is going to a good home. the problem is, is I'm almost 17 and am off to uni in a couple of yrs to study vet nursing. He would be used as a family horse while I'm at college, my mum and dad would ride him. But they said that he would have to come to uni with me. I'm really unsure weather to get him or not, because if I do, I've got another 30 year's with him, and id be almost 47. I would love to get him as he is an absolute angel and such a good boy, but in the long run, I'm starting to worry whether he would become a chore when I'm older. What should I do?
Thanks for reading this far! X
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I would say not to do it then, but you wouldn't have to keep him for the rest of his life either if you didn't want to nothing stopping you selling on once you have reached your goals with him if thats your intention.

I personally couldn't see any horse as a chore not even when I am old and frail... they should always be an enjoyment to your life and daily routine but never a chore!

He sounds lovely mind.
 
I think it depends on whether you feel you would have the time for him etc..

I got bought my gelding when I was 16, I completely fell in love with him but he has stopped me doing things I wanted to do. I had to work full time from the age of 18 to be able to afford him & couldnt go to uni etc as there would be no one to look after him. Hes not an easy horse and I didnt feel I could trust someone to loan him and not ruin my hard work. As much as I love him, and I am aware of how lucky I am to have my own horse, I sometimes wish I had gone to uni and done all of the other stuff first.

Can you afford to keep him at uni? Do you think you will have the time?

Could you consider loaning him to someone to take the pressure off?
 
BlackVelvet said:
I think it depends on whether you feel you would have the time for him etc..

I got bought my gelding when I was 16, I completely fell in love with him but he has stopped me doing things I wanted to do. I had to work full time from the age of 18 to be able to afford him & couldnt go to uni etc as there would be no one to look after him. Hes not an easy horse and I didnt feel I could trust someone to loan him and not ruin my hard work. As much as I love him, and I am aware of how lucky I am to have my own horse, I sometimes wish I had gone to uni and done all of the other stuff first.

Can you afford to keep him at uni? Do you think you will have the time?

Could you consider loaning him to someone to take the pressure off?
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Great advise here from someone who has been through the horse v uni stage
 
Im at uni in my final year and bought a horse in year 2


I wont lie - its NOT easy and there are days where i could do without the mucking out (never mind riding!) as i have too many essays to do or revision etc


however i couldnt be without her - she keeps me sain when im about to pull hair out over the crappy essay ive just written - and she has a fabulous mane to cry into as well!! :o


So there are pros and cons - if your living away at uni tho - i wouldnt advise it. I lived at home, bought my horse in year 2 and still had a good time but living in would be better!!


I also work, self fund my horse, car and dog - im also self funding my masters/phd.

So yes - hard work but do-able if its what you really want




good luck :)
 
My friend, who is at uni, has a very low maintenance horse (who is also 5) kept at home (about an hour away). She has 2 part-time jobs to pay for his keep, but because she works evenings, holidays and weekends, she rarely gets to see him and one could easily question the poin (not that I am) of her having the horse at all. However she knows that once she leaves uni (after all, it's onl a few years) she will be able to appreciate him properly. Personally, I would do absolutely anything to have a horse: if I could afford it (particularly if my parents both rode and were horsey like yours, which is an enormous advantage) then I would give up chocolate, cigarettes, alcohol and anything remotely sociable or fun to have one. However if you are having doubts (which are perfectly natural) then you have to really think hard about what it would implicate for your life in terms of money, time and effort.
I can't stress how much university controls your life once you are there, and having a horse at the same time would not be easy. You'd have to really want it and have very supportive parents if you want to go for it.
Many people loan their horse out whilst they're at uni, which would greatly ease the burden.
But this isn't just about university, is it. If you aren't sure if you want the committment of 25 years with a horse, then I doubt if it's for you to be honest. How about loaning or sharing a horse at first? Would this be your first horse? I think you're wise to think this out seriously, as it's a big life change to make. Good luck :)
However this young horse sounds fantastic!
 
I already have a 15.2hh cob and she is 29 almost 30, so yes, i would expect him to live that long. She would stay here and be looked after by my parents as she is semi retired now. i have found a yard near to the uni i want to go to. its just whether i'd be able to cope. Has anyone else done a vet nursing degree? i may put on another post to see if anyone has. thank you everyone for all your advice! x
 
I wouldn't let the concerns of the future put you off, I'll be 47 this year and don't consider myself old and frail :eek::p or see it as a chore, although it is slightly harder than when I was a whippersnapper. If you were lucky enough to keep a horse for that long then I'm sure you'd manage fine.

The main concern for me would be coping with university, you could always turn away or loan for a while though if it made life easier.
 
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