University and horses

[LoisPlummer]

Hello all! I'm new to Horse and Hound Forum so don't really know where to write and everything but I have a dilemma.

I'm hopefully off to university in September but applying locally as i don't really know how moving away with my horse would work- cost wise etc. And i was wondering if anyone else had this dilemma and what you did about it? To make matters worse I was hoping to get another horse in the summer, does anyone think i'm mad.

I was just wondering what everyone else thought and if other people had got it to work? Thanks.

 

[Arizahn]

I'm a mature student in my third year and have just bought an Arab mare in the past couple of months!
It can be done easily - just budget carefully, plan your time, and don't party too hard. In the same vein, make sure you get out to socialise at least once a month, even if it's just coffee with friends. University is a great chance to network - it's where you meet people who may influence your future.
Some universities have riding clubs too. Good luck and go for it!

 

[biggingerpony]

I'm at uni and have got my girlie with me on DIY livery, its hardwork and expensive but I really enjoy it, it structures your day loads so you don't waste it all in bed!
I budget £100 a month for her (normally works out a little bit more tho!) That includes the £60 a month livery, shes in during the winter and out 24/7 in summer. I realise that my livery is crazily cheap, but depending on where you are in the country if you ask around you should find relatively cheap livery! Its great having a horse at uni... but your uni flatmates won't understand!!

 

[Lyle]

I'm currently in Third year of my Agricultural Science degree, and horses and Uni can be done! I chose a Uni that was close enough for me to stay at home and drive in each day. This removed the need to pay rent money, meaning I can spend it on essentials for the horses. I did cut back to just one horse, as time and money does become tight. I also moved my boy from home to and agistment property where he is fed and rugged morning and night, so if I'm stuck at Uni until late I know he is being taken care of especially in winter. I work as much as I can, but it really isn't much, it just covers my expenditures for each week. If you are dedicated to sticking to a budget and study plan, then fitting the horses in is certainly accomplishable!

 

[loisb501]

I'm in 4th year studying criminological studies and got a new horse in November! Its hard around coursework time, but it gives you something to look forward to at the end of the day and also its a great way to relax after uni/work! My mare is put out and brought in at night mon-fri by the YO and i put her out at the weekends. Luckily they begin to stay out for summer around April which is when my workload will pick up!

 

[rhino]

I stayed at home for undergrad (bought horse in the summer after 1st year). Then moved away for masters and kept horse on part livery. Also completed a PGDip somewhere different again and had him on diy. It can be done, but it is hard work and you will miss out on some of the 'social' part of Uni.

 

[dafthoss]

Mines at uni with me and theres loads of people with their horse with them here. Those without horses think your nuts, but then I think the boy I see getting up at the same time as me to go to the libary is nuts . I dont think my social life has suffered because of the pony infact I have made some great horsey friends because of it. Thankfully the night after the main night at the bar I dont have lectures until 11 so I put the horse out then have a little snooze if it was a late one or just grab some caffene. Its perfectly do-able if your commited to your horse and can get up after a night out.
Just to add hes on DIY and I live in halls.

 

[monkeybum13]

I'm at a local uni so I can keep the horse.
If I'm honest I have more free time now then I did studying A Levels!

I find juggling uni work and horses manageable, but it helps if you have your own car to drive and my mum is very helpful if I have an early lecture she will do the horses for me

 

[LoisPlummer]

Thanks everyone for the positive comments, just have to hope I get in now

 

[Blitzen]

I'm in my 3rd year of a Nursing degree, and it can be done! I started the course with one horse, and last year aquired a youngster! Every spare penny I have goes on my horses, but they are totally worth it. I'm v lucky that they're both good doers and can live out, and don't cost the earth to feed as I rent a large field (I haven't even started on hay this winter!).

I might add, however, that I haven't bought myself any new clothes (jodhs do not count! I mean "civvies") for about 8 months! My OH is starting to get embarassed by my threadbare jumpers, and has offered to take me shopping tomorrow. My response - I'd much rather have a new tweed jacket, or some full length waterproof chaps... His reply? "No, you look like a hobo. You need some nice normal clothes!"

*hangs head in shame*

 

[Ashleigh_]

oh my god

I have spent the last 30mins writing you the most comprehensive reply, complete with breakdown of good and bad points, and how I budget and what I'm left with money wise at the end of every month.

Just as I pressed send my university internet cable fell out and deleted it.


I am so annoyed my brain has scrambled itself and I honestly cannot bring myself to type it all out again!

If you need any help budgeting and want a chat about how to cope with all uni stresses + horse you are more than welcome to pm me

xx

 

[becca1305]

I did a bit of both. Went to an equine college/uni to do my a levels away from home and took one horse with me. Great learning experience but hard work balancing riding and looking after the horse, living in a flat 2nd year meant more jobs again, and doing a level work and revision.

Then I chose a uni relatively near home with the initial plan of taking one horse with me and being near enough to travel home at weekends to ride the others. I quickly learnt that the amount of hours I actually spent in lectures/seminars meant it was pointless me paying for accommodation for me and livery for the horse (keep at home for free). Theres seems to be so much less "classroom time" at uni as a general rule, I only have 12 hours a week and have friends with even less !

Second year I picked my modules around a timetable to suit me (so I got whole days off) so I didn't apply for accommodation, keep the horses at home, and I only go in to uni on Tues, Thurs and Fri. It works for me but its still a lot of work and the only thing I wish now was that I picked a uni even nearer to home as its a 1 hour commute each way & a 100 mile round trip (+15 mins for parking) which in a big 4x4 is very fuel draining and expensive. (ETA I go on my motorbike in summer which is much quicker, no parking woes, less fuel and FUN but winter car commutes a drag ) I also find I don't see my uni friends as much or go out as much as I have to dredge up the enthusiasm to drive down, sleep on someones sofa bed etc, whereas if Id have gone to uni even nearer home it would be a lot easier to socialise with uni friends.

Overall my experience has taught me that a really nice balance is being near enough home to be able to keep the horses where they are and live at home in second year, meaning its easy and cheap to see them and can see them daily if wish to. But to live in student accommodation for first year as it is IMO a beneficial experience and also helps to make friends and easier to join in with nights out etc .

Hope that helps a little .

PS. I currently have 5 horses to look after (2 in work, 1 baby to entertain, and 2 field ornaments) and am managing okay, I even sometimes manage to squeeze in the odd girls night out though I do expect things will get harder in 3rd year again and it will be the social life that will have to give.

 

[jodie :)]

Snap I'm off to uni in September and I'be made the decision to keep my boy-how I'm going to fit in partying, competing, working and the degree in lord only knows!!

 

[Ladydragon]

I'm a (very) mature student and we muddle through... Financially it's tough and I'd be stuffed without the exceptionally cheap, but good, livery we've got...

I'm a tad too old to be part of the university 'partying' crowd and luckily Mr Dragon and the rugrats are happy to see pretty much every penny going on horse keep...

Which reminds me - if I didn't have a mobile waste disposal unit for a son, I'd probably be able to afford at least two more...

Time management is my biggest issue... But I think that is more to do with having been out of study for 30 years and stressing myself senseless over exams/course work... And thank goodness for eBay - the horses might be kitted out in 2nd hand rugs or bargain auction wins but it certainly helps the budgeting...

 

[5horses2dogsandacat]

Yes!! I have 4 horses and no help with them and a 2 hr commute to uni and back again and I'm doing physiotherapy. I'm lucky as me and my friend share lifts most days when she drives I'm away in sleep land. it takes organisation, dedication, and I barely go out, so lots of nights in.

Oh and a fantastic alarm clock. If I'm due in for 9am lectures/practicals my first alarm goes off at 4:30 and I'm out with the ponies by 5..

Good luck with uni, biggest challenge I find is working out all this 'studynet' And PowerPoint rubbish!! Xxx

 

[superpony]

I'm in the 3rd year of my degree and have two horses.

I bought my 2nd horse in my gap year.. oppss!! I lived at uni for the first 2 years (it is about 50mins from home) and I used to come home every weekend and ride and look after them. I was lucky as my parents looked after them in the week, my Dad would also lunge to help keep them fit.

I decided to live at home this year so I have much more time for the horses, it can easily be done but you will probably have to sacrifice things e.g. friday nights I didn't use to drink or stay out late as I would be getting up early Sat to drive home to do the horses/compete.

 

[pugsandponies]

I'm in my first year of uni, live at home and its about an hour's commute 4 days a week. I gave up my full loan as he was quite a demanding baby and I didn't feel it was fair on him having less time, but I do now part loan a much more laidback mare 3 days a week. My uni has quite an active equestrian club, liaising with a local riding school to offer discounted lessons for those without their own horses, and it has showjumping, dressage and polo teams which I think is a huge bonus

 

[cc14]

I'm in 4th year studying criminological studies and got a new horse in November! Its hard around coursework time, but it gives you something to look forward to at the end of the day and also its a great way to relax after uni/work! My mare is put out and brought in at night mon-fri by the YO and i put her out at the weekends. Luckily they begin to stay out for summer around April which is when my workload will pick up!

Sounds like were very much the same! Im in my second year doing Criminology, at a uni which isnt vaguely horsey, so I have to drive about 20 mins to get to the closest yard. Got the horse in July, and have him here on part livery, this means food, bedding and hay is included, and he is brought in, turned out, mucked out and fed mon-fri, then weekends are DIY. I do pay £80 a week, but there really is no other way I could do it as he needs the stable at night and I would not have the time to get to the yard twice a day every day. I work every spare moment I get, making sure I earn £80 a week to pay for him, and over the summer I worked full time doing admin and didnt spend a penny of it. I do also get a fair bit of financial help from the uni through bursaries which helps but this ends up going on books and petrol and food! Its well worth it...nothing better than an all nighter in the library to go for a hack through the country park the next day...best stress buster ever.

 

[cc14]

Meant to say I also live at uni so have to pay accommodation fees (£380 a month). Tough...but if you can make it work its so worth it! Maybe we need to start a thread with which unis all us horsey people on non horsey courses are at...Id do anything to have more horsey friends at uni but the riding club werent too keen when I said I had my own!

 

[phoebe.and.bonnie]

Hi, I'm second year Bioveterinary Sciences at the RVC In my first year I managed to find a loaner to take on my mare whilst I was at uni. Unfortunately, the loaner decided to terminate the agreement just before Christmas. Nobody seems to be in the market for a loan horse at the moment, so she's mine again! But I'm in uni in London, all livery vaguely near to me would cost more than I could consider paying.

As a result, I've opted to send her to a retirement livery for the time being, I'm hoping to find her a loaner or a field 'back home' in the summer. At £300 a month it's not the cheapest thing but at least it's a fixed amount that can be worked into the budget relatively easily. I'm also paying around £30 a month insurance and pay £50 into an ISA monthly to cover any minor vet care or insurance excesses.

I'm not quite sure how I would still be able to afford Bonnie combined with my roughly £650 a month living cost if I wasn't earning a reasonable amount of money as well as studying. I've got two jobs, one working for an events company in London and one 'back home' in Hertfordshire at a pub - they also pay me in food meaning I have less to spend on that!

I'm applying for vet med this year, and if (fingers crossed) I get in, I'm planning to find her livery near to the Potters Bar campus.

So overall, I think you just need to make sure you have enough incomings to match the horsey outgoings and cover necessities like rent, bills and food. You may find that you have to sacrifice the 'uni life' and shopping and the like - the people I live with are always out partying/fannying about in Hollister but I'm finding myself working constantly. They're all privately educated with Mummy and Daddy to buy everything for them though........ but that's another story

Hope it works out for you and good luck for your exams! xxx