To buy or not to buy - possible second horse

[JennBags]

OK, so I have seen an absolutely fabulous horse

, and now really want to buy him. However, I am really worried about how I will do 2 - especially with the winter coming.

My old boy doesn't need a lot of riding, and am thinking of getting a sharer for him which will help, but I'm still concerned that I will spend all my time mucking-out and poo-picking - and neglect either one or both of them on the riding front.

How do those of you with 2+ horses who work full-time manage? Do you regret getting a second horse or do you just find the time to get everything done?

 

[Jay89]

You just find the time to get everything done! If it means going down earlier or staying down the stables with nothing but a torch! And getting as much done as possible at weekends, such as filling haynets for the week etc.

 

[Blue-bear]

if your doing one you may as well do 2, it really doesnt taake that much longer, and once you have got them you just kinda do it and cope.

 

[millitiger]

I have 3 horses to do and a yard with no manege!

i changed my work hours to 7am-3.45pm (i know not everyone can do this) which helps a lot in the evening.

i have 2 horses in huge stables (about 30 x 15 as opposed to 12 x 12). this means the poo isn't all walked in and the beds are run as deep litter and the tractor digs them out every spring.
they are fed haylage from the floor so no haynets to feed. they wear turnout rugs 24/7 so no faffing with seperate rugs.

horses are fed/ put out by YO in morning.

at the moment i can still ride at the yard in the evenings- either schooling in the fields or on a hack.

when it gets darker i will box 2 of them twice a week to an indoor school 5 mins away to lunge/school them.
will sj/dressage with them once a week as well to get another day of work completed!

it is hard work trying to keep them eventing fit and schooled accordingly but i have a very nice YO who helps with the turnout etc and a boss who doesn't mind flexitime- i doubt i could cope if i got to the yard at 6pm!

 

[beckieswann]

Go for it, you only live once and like the others said - you'd find time! I'm tempted to get another horse so I can have one to train and eventually compete and a schoolmaster so I can concentrate on me and eventually compete, but first things first I need transport before I get another one!!

 

[JennBags]

I think you've all convinced me...now I have to cross my fingers & hope the seller will hang on to him for 3 weeks (going on holiday...what bad timing!). If I get him, will post a picture.

Millitiger, I am so impressed by your dedication. Although must say that my horse is also in a stable of similar proportions to yours, and he manages to drag his bedding & poo all around it every night! The front half is rubber matting, if it was all bed, I think I would be there clearing it all day.