TarantuLove
Well-Known Member
Hi, Im in a bit of a dilemma and was looking for some fab H&H advice!
I have an older horse who is going to have to slow down because his arthritis is getting worse, possibly semi-retire.
I am currently at college but finish in May (apart from exams) and am then taking a gap year.
There is a horse that has come up as a 'project' who will need time and quiet handling to come around (available straight away). He had an abusive start to his life so is not quick to trust. He is also a baby so has not yet been started.
I have always wanted to take a youngster on from a hard background and help them trust again, get them ready for backing etc. I have never backed a horse myself but have help available (there is an RA near me, and Richard Maxwell is near me also, so would send off professionally and have help throughout), and possibly sell on. I do however have experience with nervous horses on the ground especially.
However I was planning to move my current horse to a cheaper yard as it is quite expensive at my yard atm. If I was to take on another, it would be another financial/time tie, especially with a project horse, and would add up to the same as I am spending now if they were both kept at a cheaper yard.
My main thoughts are cost, is it a feasible situation, any alarm bells ringing for anyone? Ive only had an older horse as my first horse and I have had a few confidence wobbles with him, but I feel the slow learning progress with a youngster would help me to understand what makes them 'tick', which I havent quite figured out with mine.
Any honest opinions? The other thing is what if I go to uni, I will have to fund 2 horses. The buy to sell on market isnt too shiny at the moment either in this climate. But could ultimately keep both (would find a way!).
I have an older horse who is going to have to slow down because his arthritis is getting worse, possibly semi-retire.
I am currently at college but finish in May (apart from exams) and am then taking a gap year.
There is a horse that has come up as a 'project' who will need time and quiet handling to come around (available straight away). He had an abusive start to his life so is not quick to trust. He is also a baby so has not yet been started.
I have always wanted to take a youngster on from a hard background and help them trust again, get them ready for backing etc. I have never backed a horse myself but have help available (there is an RA near me, and Richard Maxwell is near me also, so would send off professionally and have help throughout), and possibly sell on. I do however have experience with nervous horses on the ground especially.
However I was planning to move my current horse to a cheaper yard as it is quite expensive at my yard atm. If I was to take on another, it would be another financial/time tie, especially with a project horse, and would add up to the same as I am spending now if they were both kept at a cheaper yard.
My main thoughts are cost, is it a feasible situation, any alarm bells ringing for anyone? Ive only had an older horse as my first horse and I have had a few confidence wobbles with him, but I feel the slow learning progress with a youngster would help me to understand what makes them 'tick', which I havent quite figured out with mine.
Any honest opinions? The other thing is what if I go to uni, I will have to fund 2 horses. The buy to sell on market isnt too shiny at the moment either in this climate. But could ultimately keep both (would find a way!).
