Turning away horse during exam year - thoughts?

A

Aoibhinn

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 August 2014
Messages
223
Visit site
Hi all,

I am heading back to school tomorrow, my final year (where has the time gone?!) and I am currently turning over a few ideas in my head instead of sleeping! I have 2 horses, a 7 year old 15.1 mare and a 12 year old 16.1 gelding. The problem is that no way will I be able to keep both of them ticking over for the year, I just won't have time with my studying.

Sooooo, I was considering getting a sharer, loaning or possibly turning one away for 6 months? But another problem is that I am hoping to be able to event the mare competitively next summer so I would like to keep her working on her flatwork. I have spent the last 5 months working hard with her to try and retrain her. She was only ever hunted with a 'ride like you stole it' attitude so it has been difficult to say the least (!) but she is a very willing little mare and has figured out how to bend eventually (hurray! :D) I also wanted to show jump the gelding and try to build up to 1.10/1.20 classes with him. I honestly have no idea what I am going to do with either of them. Would turning one or both of them away be a good option? Or would a sharer be an idea to keep one going? Or maybe just quit school altogether ;) 😂
Anyone that made it this far deserves a medal! :D
 
Will this definitely be your last exam year? I've had exams yearly for the last 10 years :eek: (and SATS and GNVQ the year before that!)
 
If looking to pick up where you left off when you're finished college then I'd definitely look at a loan/share situation. If planning to event then you'd probably need to be selective enough with who ends up loaning them so they don't undo all your hard work, but you shouldn't have a problem finding someone to loan a horse that is well schooled and they could potentially be competitive on.

In the winter if already fit they should be fine on 3-4 days work a week, if you could even find someone who'd be interested in hacking to get them both out a few days, then another person to do a bit of schooling on them.

Otherwise turn them away but bear in mind you'll need approx 8 weeks+ to fitten them up again.
 
I'm not sure (and you shouldn't say on a forum!) if this is year 11, year 13 or the last year of Uni. Having parented through the first two - but not the last yet -you can keep the horses going through most of the year. You'll just need a little help for the last 3 - 4 months or so. Although with planning you can get through that too. You might be better off letting them down a little for that brief time, rather than completely turning away. Having the horses is a great de stressor and gives you a focus as well as a release. Don't quit school!
 
As a teacher who specialises in year 11( I work with young people excluded from school) I would say keep them going and look around for some help. Make sure you really get on with the sharer, as if not, that could be stressful. Your horses will help keep you sane. Although you need to work hard , you also need something to take your mind off school for a few hours.

Also I say this to my year 11s every year( assuming you are year 11, if not ignore ;) ) .....year 11 is hardly a year at all, it goes at snails pace up until Christmas and then it's like a roller coaster or runaway train up until June and then exams! Blink and you might miss it. Get the majority of your work done before Christmas and take advantage of all the extra sessions your teachers try and arrange. Just remember the huge holiday you will have next summer!
 
Thanks for the replies guys :) not sure what year 11 is as I'm in Ireland but I'm in my last year of secondary school here! I think that I have sorted out a plan of action for both horses so fingers crossed it will work :D I was going to ask my sister to do one for me but she had to get 30 stitches in her leg after falling into a metal jump cup yesterday so her pony has to be turned away for 6/8 weeks as it is 😁
 
I only had one during exam times, and he kept me sane. riding him was the best relaxation and break ever from school work. he was on livery though so no yard chores.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top