Why have you got two horses?

Bens_Mum said:
My instructor and YO will go mad. She thinks the TB was a stupid impulse purchase which maybe it was and that its fine no problem with it. I feel like its fine but hard work and you have to constantly be on it 24/7 hacking we have the monster problem and if anything comes up behind its a pain. Schooling is hard going too and he does test my nerves quite a bit.

I don't want rid of him I want something to trust and mess around on too if that makes sense? Last night hacking out was so stressful as soon as he turns for home hes a pest and we pretty much are hacking alone becasue everyone's miles behind
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I think I remembe your previous posts and I would have been in agreement with the YO and instructor but glad its working out :)

For me I want the other way round. I have my solid as a rock horse of a lifetime but I want a sharp on its toes TB again for a bit of lively fun :(
 
Both mine are in full work too, and I work full time. Ride in the evenings after work and have them on full livery (only option really around my parts with a full time job)

I just have a routine where I get in to the yard, no chatting or hanging about and tack up and ride. then swap and tidy away my things.

I take it a bit easier on weekends but again there's a routine there too.
 
I'm half thinking about having 3 after winter, but I want to see how much my Appy with PSSM can do first. Like the OP I really just want something I can do fun rides, pop over a small jump, hack sensibly etc. Currently I'm not sure she'll be up for any of that but she live out her days with me. The Ardennes was given to the riding school where my mare is on livery but they didn't use him and were trying to move him on. They adore each other so obviously I had to keep him!

He gets ridden 2-3 times a week for 30 mins to keep him ticking over. It's a shame his ringbone is as bad as it is because he's great fun to ride. Steering is interesting and on the odd occasion he decides to jump a ditch they probably record a small earthquake in the area. Never, ever regret taking him on - he's my big cuddly teddy bear.

The advantage of having the 2 is that they are company for each other. My mare can't see in the dark and he acts as her eyes. She hates being out at night if he isn't there. She's also on restricted grazing and was on her own before I got him. Now I know she's got a friend. He thinks she is the best thing ever and will whinny even if she's only been out for 20 mins. True love!

My YO has just asked me to school on a little TB that's just come off the track. She's tiny so his yard staff are all too heavy (plus she's not yet 4 so he doesn't want her trashed). I'll soon find out whether I've got time for 3!

Like some of the other posters I work near home and do flexi time. I used to commute into London daily and that was a killer. I only ever saw the horses after dark and when one of them is night blind that isn't much fun!
 
By accident. We had the one to share between us, then someone offered me a freebie. After many years, he went and we bought another one for my sis, then I got offered another freebie...so 3 it is!

Am considering a fourth in the spring to even things back up again, it seems such a waste to have a spare hand half the time... :D
 
FestiveFuzz said:
Ha this thread couldn't have appeared at a more fitting time. Never intended to have 2 horses as I work long hours and am on full livery as it is.

Spent almost all my savings on my dream horse as an early 30th birthday present after years of owning standard RC types. The dream was to focus on my dressage and just see how far we could go. Unfortunately she broke a month into owning her and after spending the summer on box rest we've now made the decision to turn her away for a year and then reevaluate the situation.

So in the meantime I'm looking for something to distract myself with. I'm currently looking at full loans but if the right one came up we'd find the funds to buy.
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I was in a similar position last year. Full loan would have been great but proved too hard/slow to find so I went for the expensive option of buying!

Similar to many on here only one is in full work and I'd struggle to keep two fully in work let alone the cost of full livery which I'd also need. But then again it would be lovely to have that challenge, as it would mean I have two sound and in work horses!
 
Have my older boy whom I've had for 10 yrs, backed and produced myself and done amazingly at showing but is pretty lazy! My friend does a bit of dressage on him, and I just hack/school a couple of times a week, he can be quirky so could never part with him!.
Bought my other lad as a 2yr old to bring on and possibly sell as love bringing on horses, 5 years later I still have him and adore him as he is so easy, a true all rounder. But he is now pretty laid back and I am wanting some excitement again so do I look for a 3rd to add to the collection or sell the 7 year old (who I love dearly) to someone that will appreciate him being mr chilled!?
I love having the 2 as it means friends/sis can come and hack one out, and they always have each other for company, I don't find it a lot more work than having the one.
 
I've had 3 the last few winters all in work whilst I worked full time so now I'm down to 2 it should be a breeze! haha

The two I have now.. One is 6 and due to suspensory and hock issue will never be a competition horse. I hack and school him a few times a week and keep him quiet enough that mum is now able to hack out on her days off and is learning leg yield etc on him.

The other is a 4yr old who will hopefully be my competition horse.

Its hard work exercising 2 during the week but I would really struggle to just have the one!
 
Bought my second horse because I wanted ti compete and the mare I already had really didn't enjoy it.
Should have sold her first really but did think I wanted to sell her and felt terribly guilty.
After a year of lots of competing fun with my new mare and my other one becoming a bit of a third wheel I felt ready so sold her as a happy hacker.
 
I keep mine at home and so have two so they have company. Being as a field ornament costs about the same (in time and money) as a horse in work I thought there was no point in having a companion horse and a riding horse and so I got two I can ride. The added bonus is I can have a friend ride with me and we can go to events together if I want to (a disadvantage of keeping them at home is there is noone else local to have a hack with or buddy up with for events). Mine are quite different to ride, which I find fun. I think if they were very similar I would be more likely to get bored of riding both.
 
I have 4.

Three in work and one yearling luckily they all live out and live on just haylage and grass all winter, they have 10 acres to roam.
The oldest is 10 and is my main riding horse we just hack really but she is also driven as a single or pair.
The other two are 6 and 5 they also are ride and drive they have mostly concentrated on the driving though they are also in work but just hacking and pleasure drives.

I think because they are always out they do keep up a certain level of fitness as from October onwards they are only worked saturday and sunday. They come back into driving fitness in march normally when fit they can do driving trials.
 
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I bought a foal in May and she's not at home yet so I'm in partial denial about ;) I bought her as I liked her breeding, she moves well and will be (hopefully) having them at home soon so livery costs weren't an issue to think about as she can stay at the stud until she's three but will come home sometime next year when the house is ready.
 
If we only had one then my husband would be stealing my horse! I bought a third now my gelding is 18 and we do not know how fit he'll remain over the next few years and a young horse needs time to be schooled up to his standard. Being selfish I think if I waited until he was no longer ridable I would be more upset about his retirement and far less accepting of a new horse. I don't bond with horses quickly though so my situation is probably different to most.
 
I've always had at least two as I have mine at home so they need company. Tbh though, at this point in my life (small baby, 5 yo just backed gelding, limited time) I would really love to just have one! The companion is quite high maintenance and perfectly rideable so I'm considering selling or loaning and getting something less time consuming.

All depends how much time you've got.
 
I have two. I bought a weanling when my horse was 17, to be my next horse. It's kind of working out, the oldest is now 24 and the weanling is seven. The theory is that the old one is retired and the seven year old is going great guns - but the 24 year old still dragged out for an occasional wander in walk, and the seven year old spent last summer with toxic laminitis and this year gave me two months of concussion, and immediately I was recovered I came off him and have a cracked pelvis, that was two months ago too!

A weanling from the same sire is due to arrive soon, after all the old horse won't go on forever and OH says it's better to have another one as a youngster...!
 
My sister and i have 5 between us. 'Hers', 'mine' 'the broken one' (has a sharer to keep him ticking along 'the fabulous super fun cob' (who is anyone who can ride ride) and the baby.

She has a coming up on 3 yr old kid and works 5 days a week till midafternoon. I work full time, but flexi hours so am often finished at 4. My boy is ridden 6 days a week by me and 2/3 days a week i work either the cob or the baby. She does her lad 3/4 days a week and the baby once or twice. We have a fab sharer who does hers or the cob or the slightly broken one 3/4 days a week and will sometimes ride/lunge 2. And a sharer who keeps the sligtly broken one ticking along. Love having a herd, love horse shopping and love them all!! They luckily all live out so much less slog in terms of stable jobs. Sadly my boy is broken and in a box for a few months so the babys (rising 5 but basically unhandled till we got him a couple of months ago!) gonna have a bit of a shock over winter! :)
 
I currently have more than 2 (4), but two are retired and one is my sons so only have one I ride. I have had stages in my life where I had up to 3 to ride and compete. Personally I enjoyed having two on the go because when I could afford it and had the time it meant I could compete a lot yet not tire out one, I'd do them weekend time about. Also meant I could do different disiplines so didn't get bored doing the same thing all the time. It also meant I could stagger their annual winter holiday so I always had one going while the other had a break. I think it depends on your life though, nowadays with my 4yo son (who is also out competing lead-rein) I dont have the time to ride more than one and couldnt afford to compete two now I've got 2 retired oldies to keep in feed etc. as well! So Id say go for it if you do have the time and money to be able to do it long term :)
 
I have two. It's slightly more work but a lot less stress. Never need to worry about my horse being the last or first horse out.
 
So...

I hacked out the TB yesterday again. Went with a group. I'm the only one constantly all over the place and feeling like i'm sat on an unexploded bomb. He hasn't done anything that you can put your finger on except the time it took me home but its not a nice feel. You can't ride with anyone else as hes miles ahead and picking up the pace results in cantering on roads. I am sure in time it would calm down but I have not pleasure or interest in this. Initially I wanted him for hunting but its transpired since that he was take to a ride and exploded so again another box not ticked. Should mention hes 17h so no small creature!

His dressage is coming along really well and he picks things up super quick. Works in a lovely outline and trainer really likes him.

At our yard there is rarely anyone to hack out with and although when I got him I was promised he hacks out alone after a couple of months I discovered he also likes to spin and take off home. This is an issue too which means schooling the majority of the time. We have done little hacks alone but we haven't got any circular routes that aren't across open fields (where he took off) so its not easy.

I don't want to get rid of him but I do want to have fun too and hes not relaxing and is really only doing a small part of the job for now.

I am thinking of a little cob to play with. Hacking out fun rides that sort of thing. If TB is still silly this time next year can think again or at least he will go with schooling on the flat much further on.

What do we think? Going to talk to the trainer today. Is this sort of cob going to be a nightmare and very expensive to find?
 
I've got two...ish (counts on fingers).

One has a muscle disorder and I got the second since I don't know how long the first will be able to work at the level I want her to. However all seemed fine so I put the second in foal and practically straight away the first has started having problems, don't at this stage know the cause. Anyway seems like I'll need 3 now ;)

One of mine is a very sensible cob the other one is a Welsh cob. Both however do what I want them to do they just do it slightly differently.

In your situation I would sell the one you have if it's never going to be the right horse for you to do what you want on.
 
Until yesterday I had three but pony face went off to play with a fifteen year old girl ( full loan, fingers crossed this one works )

I have my old lad in light work and a Clydesdale as my main horse. Yes it's difficult at times but now Moses is gone, the rider I pay to ride, can do Kev during the week. They are only in when the paddocks ( clay) get to bad and it's hard to ride both when there is little daylight but we get through to the warmer weather. As for money, I try not to look ....:D
 
Bens_Mum said:
So...

I hacked out the TB yesterday again. Went with a group. I'm the only one constantly all over the place and feeling like i'm sat on an unexploded bomb. He hasn't done anything that you can put your finger on except the time it took me home but its not a nice feel. You can't ride with anyone else as hes miles ahead and picking up the pace results in cantering on roads. I am sure in time it would calm down but I have not pleasure or interest in this. Initially I wanted him for hunting but its transpired since that he was take to a ride and exploded so again another box not ticked. Should mention hes 17h so no small creature!

His dressage is coming along really well and he picks things up super quick. Works in a lovely outline and trainer really likes him.

At our yard there is rarely anyone to hack out with and although when I got him I was promised he hacks out alone after a couple of months I discovered he also likes to spin and take off home. This is an issue too which means schooling the majority of the time. We have done little hacks alone but we haven't got any circular routes that aren't across open fields (where he took off) so its not easy.

I don't want to get rid of him but I do want to have fun too and hes not relaxing and is really only doing a small part of the job for now.

I am thinking of a little cob to play with. Hacking out fun rides that sort of thing. If TB is still silly this time next year can think again or at least he will go with schooling on the flat much further on.

What do we think? Going to talk to the trainer today. Is this sort of cob going to be a nightmare and very expensive to find?
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My 16hh is the ridiculous type who feels like an unexploded bomb- I must add he has never actually done anything under saddle with me- but sometimes riding him should require a health warning. The reason I enjoy persevering with him is because I've got myself a little coloured cob X to do my fun stuff on and have chill out time.

I got her as a very green 6year old and for a brilliant price, largely because the owners wanted me to have her and offered me her for a lot less than what they were originally asking. She has taken a lot of work- but it's been fun because she not an idiot. She could barely trot a straight line when she came, didn't really have a canter and was generally nappy and cheeky and 2 years on I've got a fab little pony who has been placed at every dressage test she's done, hacks out, goes to fun rides, jumps for fun and is generally just an absolute treasure.

It's lovely to have the contrast between the two.
 
We have three between us and it works great.

Doodle is our retired show horse and was our first horse, she will live out her days with us. She's as safe as the come and after owning her ten years she like your comfy slippers to ride :). Both me and mum ride her, generally hacking etc.

Topaz is mums horse, she hacks her and does fun things, I compete her and do all the schooling work. She is sharp, bonkers, can spook like a demon (though thankfully has grown out of rodeo'ing generally), she is not a relaxing ride and she too will never be a consistent, safe hunter which really is what my mum wants.

Skylla is my baby horse, currently only ridden by me as mum's not too confident as she's worried about messing her up (which is daft as mum's a great rider!). I'm hopeful that as she's got a much calmer head on her she may in time hunt for mum, but will have to wait and see!

We ended up with three, as we got Doodle and then wanted one each so we could hack out together, and then I had thought Doodle may be retired completely so bought a youngster so I still had something to ride. However Doodle has bounced back after taking her shoes off so now we have a spare which is super handy :lol:.
 
scats said:
My 16hh is the ridiculous type who feels like an unexploded bomb- I must add he has never actually done anything under saddle with me- but sometimes riding him should require a health warning. The reason I enjoy persevering with him is because I've got myself a little coloured cob X to do my fun stuff on and have chill out time.

I got her as a very green 6year old and for a brilliant price, largely because the owners wanted me to have her and offered me her for a lot less than what they were originally asking. She has taken a lot of work- but it's been fun because she not an idiot. She could barely trot a straight line when she came, didn't really have a canter and was generally nappy and cheeky and 2 years on I've got a fab little pony who has been placed at every dressage test she's done, hacks out, goes to fun rides, jumps for fun and is generally just an absolute treasure.

It's lovely to have the contrast between the two.
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That's exactly it its the feeling!! He has to be ridden in an outline the entire time and just throws his head around or bounces like tigger. No more than that but its not relaxing. When I have ridden others on the yard its been so nice to just relax a bit. He's had new tack, dentist you name it just drama theres not reason for any of it.

He's had three homes this year and I don't want to move him on really. I will see what YO says today maybe we can sneak another in if we can find the right thing!!
 
This is the first time in a few years I'm down to 1 horse I've always had 2 on DIY Livery which was exhausting and in winter there weren't enough hours in the day working full time but I enjoyed the madness and meant I always had a horse to ride and people could hop on one of mine. and to be honest while 2 isn't possible at the minute (pregnant and moved my boy onto part livery due to having the extra money to spend on all things horsey now with one) I do find myself constantly looking at adverts and wondering if I could juggle a career, baby, dog, OH and 2 horses next year lol....
 
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