What to do with my pony

[sian_x101]

I've had my lovely little pony since he was 8 months old, at the grand old age of 3 this year i want to start working with him, he's is physically mature and mentally needs to do something.

I'm wanting to send him to a respected guy around easter time for him to be properly backed (he will be about 3 years and 4 months at this point)

My issue is i'm off to Uni this year and i'm at a loose end as to what to do.

Over the last couple of months the idea of selling him keeps cropping into my mind, not that i want to do this but because it would be the easiest option. However, i dont think i could face not having him there everyday and not being able to ride him which i have been waiting to do since i brought him.

I need the best option for him and me. I would take him to university with me but funds will be tight and i feel he wouldn't get what he needs.

Could anyone give me any advice on what to do?

Thanks in advance

 

[loz9]

its a difficult situation that many students find themselves in.

I chose to take my horse to uni with me but as i did an equine degree it wasnt exactly unusual. Yes i had to budget & yes my horses got more money spent on her. I had to sacrifice nights out to pay for feed, etc, but we were all in the same boat so understood! We found other ways to have fun. One of the major factors is finding a good, cheap DIY livery yard. And then budgeting to buy only what you need! She didnt get the latest new rug, or the best of feed (went onto an own shop brand feed which i have stayed on since leaving uni as it was just as good!)

I know of other people in non equine degrees that took there horses to uni & survived, but i also know of people who sold there horses before uni & bought again afterwards.

Only you know your horse & how 'attached' you are to him. If you really want to take him with you work out how much it is going to cost & see if its viable.

Good luck!

 

[Sparkles]

Are there stabling facilities at college? You could but him on part/working livery there with you perhaps if it's got equine facilities?

Other options are getting him started this year as you planned and then once if he's proving to be well mannered etc maybe put him on loan? Or look to half loan him with you near uni?

Other options could be trying other local equine centres to put him on loan perhaps, not sure what he he's like but a lot of colleges now have specialist academies now which usually have slots open for loan horses before the start of the academic year again. This way it's not an everyday school horse as it's for riders which are experienced and under top expert rider's tuition each time he'll be ridden [ie, showjump academy or dressage academy...our trainer in the dressage academy was Harry Payne for example].

You'll have about 6 months ridden work with him if he's backed at easter, so a fairly good time to get the basics established so could easily put him out loan then [obviously as he's young, a referenced person, etc].

Or, pending on his type, maybe put him out on a show loan or competition loan? Though if he's only just turned 3 this year going from jan 1st, this prob isn't any good but just thought I'd throw it in lol.

Or what about backing and riding him away till uni, then turning him away somewhere for a while and then once you're settled in at uni for a while think what's best, ie, if you might find you'll have more time for him after your first year, or find a cheap livery yard, loan home or riding school near by?

Sorry, not much help

Just out of curiousity, what's he like?

 

[sian_x101]

Thanks

you've gave me some more options that i'd not thought about

would you think the demand for a green youngster on loan would be very high though, i always thought no-one would go for the idea of loaning a pony so young.

He's a typical cheeky pony, bags of character...theres never a dull moment

. Cob x and is a very spotty boy (he always has people after him in the summer!) He's the most laid back baby i could of asked for, he does anything i ask of him, he'll just follow me and trust me (i guess thats because i've ad him from a baby). His only downfall is that he's only 13hh and doesn't look to be wanting to grow anymore!

 

[Sparkles]

Not a problem

Yeah I'd say there is a demand...always a demand for loan horses

You can generally get a good idea of what they'll be like ridden, so if he stays laid back etc ridden there's no reason why peoplewouldn't be interested. Especially a spotty lol

Though due to his height that rules out the college option unfortunately as minimum 14.3/15hh height!

I'd say get him backed and riding away and some schooling under his belt and see where you are with him in the summer, and if loaning's the way to go, put some ads for him up around

I know locally is always everyone's ideal place, but paid adverts on places like horse quest etc should attract the right people even if it is further away or go through your local pony club [or email other pony clubs] to spread the word around for a good little rider for him maybe?