Too much to ask...?

Vetwrap

Vetwrap

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I would like to send my youngster to be re-backed this Spring, but would like to be part of the process. He is a bit of a stress head and will weave in a stable if he is not happy.

My question is, if I am paying for the standard breaking livery and requested that he lived out - would I be taking the mick if I asked if I could send my other horse as well, as a companion for him? I would also be happy to take the time off work and poo pick the field and be general dogsbody round the yard...

To my (rather simple little) mind, it would mean that he would be more relaxed with his familiar friend - and me around - and I would be on hand to hack out with (if required) or could hack/school my other horse from there if not required for anything else.

I would still be paying the breaking livery fee for one stabled horse - but would effectively have two over there - at grass.

Is this too much to ask?

Damson gin for those that got this far. (It's cold outside!)
 
Suggest you ask the yard you want to send the horse to as only they can answer the question with any authority.
Some people might think it's a bit of a cheek, other might think it's a deal they can help with.
 
If you don't ask you don't get! It certainly doesn't seem an unreasonable request to me, I just suppose it depends on how the yard is set up as to whether they can accomodate.
 
Personally no I dont think its too much to ask but some yards may not have the facilities to allow for 24x7 turnout.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'll give them a call and ask them if it's feasible. They do have 24/7 turnout, which is a bonus. I would like to give my youngster the best possible chance of settling and concentrating and if this helps, then great. If it turns out that other horse and I are a distraction, well, we will go home again and leave them to it!
 
OneInAMillion said:
Well if you are paying for both horses to be there I cant see why it would be a problem, but the best thing to do is ring and ask :)
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I would be paying for full breaking livery (inc stable) on one horse - but actually taking two - both living out 24/7, with me doing horse care and paddock maintainence and any other jobs that they asked me to do. Basically, free grass livery for one horse in exchange for me working for them and paying them for breaking livery on youngster.

Bit complex, I know...
 
I would ask, but may not suit a lot of professional yards having someone else doing things.

Also does your horse get stressed when separated, as they will need to be separated while in the school etc. Some are better in a new environment without their friend to cling to. Just a thought. :)

Hope it goes well.
 
I'd be surpised if a professional yard would allow it. And be wary of making a rod your own back in the future. This may be an excellent opportunity for him to learn to be separated from his mate and be benefical when you want to hack out alone and take him to shows, you don't want him to become too reliant on his mate at such an early stage or he may end up being needy for ever more. He may stress for the first couple of days but should settle quickly and be a good learning experience for him.
 
You can always ask and they can tell you whether or not it's feasible. Be aware though, that depending on their circumstances one stabled horse may not equal two at grass and unless they have horses living out regularly, they might not be set up for it with regards to their turn out schedule, providing shelter etc. Also, while it's very kind of you to trade work, this is not always the bonus it may appear to be. Many small yards have the "horse to work" ratio carefully worked out and would rather have the money/not have the horse.

But again, never hurts to ask. :)
 
MegaBeast said:
I'd be surpised if a professional yard would allow it. And be wary of making a rod your own back in the future. This may be an excellent opportunity for him to learn to be separated from his mate and be benefical when you want to hack out alone and take him to shows, you don't want him to become too reliant on his mate at such an early stage or he may end up being needy for ever more. He may stress for the first couple of days but should settle quickly and be a good learning experience for him.
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I agree with this. Also if he doesn't like being etc and being away from home he needs to learn to get over it. Sorry, but there is no reason why a youngster needs baggage. If you ever in the future come to sell him for unforseen circumstances there is nothing worse that a horse that can't do this or that, must be with companions etc.
Maybe it won't work sending him by himself, or maybe it will teach to grow up.
 
Also, a good yard should be well experienced in looking after young horses and it's in their best interests to have him feeling comfortable. Presumably they will give you turnout options and have at least one older horse to ride with so you should be able to work out a situation that suits him.
 
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