working full time and having a young horse .. question about diy etc (may be long)

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GypsyGirl

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Ok guys this might be a bit long so bare with me.. So I finish college next week and I'm finding it really difficult to find jobs in a groomers and I desperatly need to go back to work full time .. So I've been looking and found a job that I've wanted to do for ages which is a support worker .. Working with adults with learning disablities etc.. I done a placement with adults with learning disabilities and I loved it! ..

So now im going to apply for this job which is 40hours a week 9-5monday to friday .. But now my concerns are that obviously Ive got maisie who's only 6 and I've been re schooling her etc .. And over the past couple of weeks now I've been paniking about this winter coming as I've worked so hard with maisie and she's putting on weight and muscle really nicely and now I'm worried that living out this year she's going to drop it all and next year I'm going to have to start all over again! (shes a 6year old tb ex racer mare)

So I was thinking about moving her to a yard closer to me that's got stables and a school etc.. I'd want to have her diy so I still get to see her twice a day and everything is down to me as at the moment she's on full grass livery so my field owner does everything for me and maisie and all I have to do is go up and ride although I do go up to help out with them in the morning and evening I miss actully being the owner of my horse that may sound silly but I want to do everything. I love my field owner she is fantastic but im starting to feel like things are going to change and plus the horses in my field that are ridden are going to be leaving soon which just leaves me to ride on my own and have no school etc.

But I'm just wondering does it work? How does everyone do it? I've been on full livery for ages now but then I've only been part time for a year so I'm used to going up an just riding whenever and as maisies so accident prone I'm always there for the vet etc..

I'm not really sure on my question really but just wanted to see what others thought.. Does it work, working full time and having a young horse etc? Id want to find somewhere with a school etc so after work i can go up ride in the school or lunge or something. I'm just worried incase maisie ends up hurting herself on a day I've got to go to work and if I'm on diy then the yard owner won't help with the vet etc and being a support worker you can't really take days off etc..

The money is a lot better so I could afford to have her on part livery but then the whole point of moving would be so we get our stable and I can do everything for my horse .. I want to be the first one she sees every morning etc ..

So I'm a bit stuck really.. The hours are great 9/5 so i could fit her in etc but I'm just worried about it all as it would be a big change for us both..

Any ideas very welcome! Sorry very long essay!! Xx

Ohh also: another question about diy if anyone knows.. If u work 9/5 Monday/Friday then what do u do about farrier visits etc? Do they come later on in the evening or do u get them to come to you on weekends? I'd love to keep my farrier he's fantastic but I'm not sure if he would come out on weekends so would have to ask either VERY early in the morning or in the evening?
 
It works :) I have two horses, younger one is 5. I go up to yard by about 7 in morning, turn them out and do all the work - mucking out etc. Then go to work. After work, I then ride or lunge, try give myself a couple of evenings off a week where I just fetch them in but it works well.
 
I manage. I have a six year old and a three year old. It's a grind in winter but doable. Our school is floodlit so I just ride at half six when I've mucked out.

I'm lucky as my yard let me turnout and bring in when ever though. Some can be funny about you leaving them out after dark and then it becomes more difficult if you want to turn out everyday!

ETA, my farrier will come at weekends as there are loads of us but usually I just pop back in my lunchtime when he's out (I say pop back, it takes two hours but I make up the time). I do the same for the vet.

If I really can't make it one of the other liveries will hold for me as they're lovely :D
 
Why not have her on part livery so you have the support there if you need it? You can still go up twice s day if you want to, but you will probably find it pretty tiring with a brand new full time job and be glad of the break! It will mean you can focus all your energy on riding and spending time with your horse rather than worrying about mucking out and filling haynets!
 
Farrier visits: I leave my horse in her stable with a headcollar hanging outside. The farrier knows which one she is and either he gets her out or another livery gets her out for him if they're around. She ties up and stands to be shod. I leave money for him so I don't have to be there. My farrier also works some Saturdays and starts at 7am some mornings so if you do need to be there maybe you could check with yours if that would be an option.

Vet visits: Vets work some weekends (at least mine does) so you can always get booked in for Saturdays if you need to. It might be a bit more expensive though. Or book a day off. I'm a teacher so I have school holidays and half term and things for non-emergencies, although there is NO chance of me being able to take a day off in an emergency. At the moment YO and other liveries help each other out holding horses and calling the vet for each other but I'm moving at the end of the summer so I'm hoping there will be a similar system at my new yard.

I think DIY and working full time is perfectly feasible as long as you have a floodlit school for winter evenings and someone to bring your horse in in case he's going to be the last one left out in winter. In summer it's plain sailing. Good luck with the new job!
 
I manage (just). I'm a nurse and work 13 hour shifts which vary between days/ nights/ weekends/ bank holidays etc... When I'm at work I pay a very reliable girl at the yard to see to him. I'm the only one to ride him. I do get plenty of time off tho as I generally just do 3 shifts a week. When I am at work I just have to grit my teeth and get on with it. The hoss hasn't suffered and to be honest with a young horse they need the time off in my opinion.
 
I manage aswell :) it is certainly do-able! In the summer he's out 24/7 so i go up in the morning bring him in so he has a haynet through the day (he's only brought in in the day cause of CRAP grazing and he's too skinny :( ... ) then when I'm done at work i'll ride. In the winter i'll get up around 6/7 to turn him out and then bring him in after work. If hes the last one out one of the other liveries will bring him in for me as he's only a baba he can get a bit scared in dark! Luckily for us aswell we have a floodlit menage & we're 'allowed' down the yard until around 10 at night so it works really well.
Although i waste a bomb in petrol its worth it ... and luckily my job is only 7 or so miles from the yard

x
 
Oh that's good then it's always good to get advice from people! It won't be happening just yet as I have to see if I get the job first and then sort some other things out etc but I wanted to see if it works or not before I go making decisions. I havnt moved yards for about 5years and I love my field owner she's fantastic but work commitments and eveything is starting to change now :(
 
It's do-able. I have 2 horses on DIY livery and work 8-5 Mon-Fri. They are both youngsters and need work everyday really. Because the field is a 10 minute walk from the yard I do sometimes think after work, I really can't be bothered with this! I am usually quite tired and just want to relax! But I have to make myself do it. Then I am always glad once I have.

I would LOVE the luxury of working part time! People who do this are so lucky! I only wish I could afford to. But no, I will be working full time until retirement age of 68 :(

Oh and my farrier comes out especially for me 9am on Saturdays. I have to take annual leave for teeth and vets. And my back lady normally comes after 6pm so works out well.
 
I'm currently in full time education (9-3.30 everyday) then work most evenings (4-7pm) and have a horse on DIY and I'll be the first to admit I struggle to say the least. But for me it is worth it! I am in the lucky position that my mum has a (miniature) horse on the same yard so will help out if needs be but she won't help if it's continuous as she can't cope with big horses (her nerves not caused by the horse).

It is possible but prepared to have little or no social life outside work or horses!
 
loverly said:
It is possible but prepared to have little or no social life outside work or horses!
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Hell no, it is possible to work FT, have a horse on DIY do AND maintain a social life...in my situ its the housework that suffers :)

Seriously though it is completely possible. Unfortunately for me I have a 3 hour commute each day so what i tend to do is only go up once a day, I do all my chores etc and a friend gets my horse in / turns out (whichever) at the opposite end of the day and I do the same for her. It is nice doing them both ends of the day and I have managed it the last couple of months as its been lighter, but over winter it works well to have some help.
 
It's doable!

I have a full time job (Mon-Fri 9-5.30) My YO gives Ruby her breaky (already made by me night before) and then turns her out for the day. I get up yard for around 5.50 and do my jobs, get her in and then ride/lunge etc she's also 6.

I think it's down to preparation, I do stuff the night before to save time, eg make lots of haynets and feeds.
 
Totally possible! I've just started a new job (on lunch atm). I have my 6 year old on DIY and have done since I bought him unbroken last year. Both yards I've had him on have been really good as they offer services, so will do him when I'm away or bring him in. THey'll also get him out for the farrier etc for a fee. And I'm quite confident that in an emergency they would deal with him.
 
I cope! Both horses on DIY, youngest is a complicated 6yr old, i work full time mon - fri 9-5, and im doing a degree too! I still manage to see my boyfriend on weekends (as he works away in week) I compete, have lessons every week and a life outside work/horses. Its difficult in the winter but managable.
 
UM yes its possible, I`ve always worked full time and up until Dec had 3, all under 6 yrs, on DIY (all are at home now minus 1 who`s sold) Anyway, i worked 8-4 mon - fri, i`d go up before and after work. Farrier visits I booked off work or my friend would hold, vet visits I`d book off work too.
I dont really have a social life to worry about lol my life revolves around my horses , dogs and OH which i`m perfectly happy about and wouldnt have anything different.

If your going to be on more £££ then why not try part livery?
 
Definitely doable! I'm off work on long term sick at the moment (broken knee) but when at work I get up at 5am, do the horses, on the road to work by 6.15am, I have a 75 mile commute there, so I get to work by 7.30am.

I then do a full day finishing at 4pm, am home before 5.30pm to rode/muck out etc.

It IS hard work, but once in a routine I am fine, I just make sure I go to bed early on work nights!

I have two horses on DIY with no services offered, one is 8 but has pretty major health issues and behavioural issues, and my newer boy is not yet 4.
 
I would say its totally possible.
I work full time and my horse is on DIY.
I muck out and ride in the mornings which leaves me plenty of time to do what I want in the evenings.
At the moment I'm also looking after my friend's horse, so have 2 to muck out (we keep ours in throughout the year to save them exploding with too much grass!!). I have been able to carry on my routine of riding and mucking out in the mornings - just get up a bit earlier.
 
Routine is the key and doing things that you can do in advance - in advance (think haynets) Last winter I had my muckout down to 20mins :)
 
Very possible! I juggle running my own business (a store) with my OH, a tempremental 6 year old dressage horse, and having riding lessons 3 times a week.
Being my own boss does make things a lot easier, as we can sort out ordering stock etc at any time thanks to the wonder of the internet, meaning not all work has to be done during office hours.
It is hard, but routine is key, as is having a good support system of friends who can feed/turn out occasionally, and my trainer exercises Lieto once a week when I'm too busy.
 
I do it too! I work Mon - Fri 9-5 (usually later but those are my set hours) and have 2 horses on DIY, one of which I compete and have regular lessons on. I have also started working 8.30 - 4.30 on Saturdays for some extra cash :) I do everything myself and my horses are in at night all year round as we don't have that much grass and I like to bring them in anyway.

For the farrier, I leave a headcollar outside and he comes and does them while I'm at work.

You could look for asssisted livery? I used to find that really good at my last yard, so if I was going to be late I coul djust ring YM and ask her to muck out/bring horse in etc and she would do for a set price. It's not really possible at the yard I'm at now but I work closer to the yard so it's not a problem popping out.
 
Thank you all so much for your replies! Fingers crossed that I get this job then!! And I can start sorting things out! I'd love to have a stable and a school, I'll have to look somewhere for assisted livery for the "just incase moments" thank you all SO much!! Gosh I havnt had a stable for years I'll have to learn how to muck out properly again haha
 
Happy to give you a lift to any new yards if you want an extra opinion :) I think it makes sense though love and provided you find the right place it will be really good for you both.
It seems it's all change for our little lot, soon us and the horses will be all over the place :(
xxx
 
GypsyGirl said:
Ok guys this might be a bit long so bare with me.. So I finish college next week and I'm finding it really difficult to find jobs in a groomers and I desperatly need to go back to work full time .. So I've been looking and found a job that I've wanted to do for ages which is a support worker .. Working with adults with learning disablities etc.. I done a placement with adults with learning disabilities and I loved it! ..

So now im going to apply for this job which is 40hours a week 9-5monday to friday .. But now my concerns are that obviously Ive got maisie who's only 6 and I've been re schooling her etc .. And over the past couple of weeks now I've been paniking about this winter coming as I've worked so hard with maisie and she's putting on weight and muscle really nicely and now I'm worried that living out this year she's going to drop it all and next year I'm going to have to start all over again! (shes a 6year old tb ex racer mare)

So I was thinking about moving her to a yard closer to me that's got stables and a school etc.. I'd want to have her diy so I still get to see her twice a day and everything is down to me as at the moment she's on full grass livery so my field owner does everything for me and maisie and all I have to do is go up and ride although I do go up to help out with them in the morning and evening I miss actully being the owner of my horse that may sound silly but I want to do everything. I love my field owner she is fantastic but im starting to feel like things are going to change and plus the horses in my field that are ridden are going to be leaving soon which just leaves me to ride on my own and have no school etc.

But I'm just wondering does it work? How does everyone do it? I've been on full livery for ages now but then I've only been part time for a year so I'm used to going up an just riding whenever and as maisies so accident prone I'm always there for the vet etc..

I'm not really sure on my question really but just wanted to see what others thought.. Does it work, working full time and having a young horse etc? Id want to find somewhere with a school etc so after work i can go up ride in the school or lunge or something. I'm just worried incase maisie ends up hurting herself on a day I've got to go to work and if I'm on diy then the yard owner won't help with the vet etc and being a support worker you can't really take days off etc..

The money is a lot better so I could afford to have her on part livery but then the whole point of moving would be so we get our stable and I can do everything for my horse .. I want to be the first one she sees every morning etc ..

So I'm a bit stuck really.. The hours are great 9/5 so i could fit her in etc but I'm just worried about it all as it would be a big change for us both..

Any ideas very welcome! Sorry very long essay!! Xx

Ohh also: another question about diy if anyone knows.. If u work 9/5 Monday/Friday then what do u do about farrier visits etc? Do they come later on in the evening or do u get them to come to you on weekends? I'd love to keep my farrier he's fantastic but I'm not sure if he would come out on weekends so would have to ask either VERY early in the morning or in the evening?
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I bought a 4 year old and wanted to ensure that I bonded with her as you need trust when dealing with youngsters, I put my mare on part livery , which is basically turn out and bring in and rug changes during the week then I did DIY at the weekend. I go up every night after work to ride, lunge, muck out just generally fuss her.

I would definately suggest moving to a yard with a school and stable IMO I would never winter out a TB, I have one myself and wouldnt even consider it.
 
Ashleigh_ said:
Happy to give you a lift to any new yards if you want an extra opinion :) I think it makes sense though love and provided you find the right place it will be really good for you both.
It seems it's all change for our little lot, soon us and the horses will be all over the place :(
xxx
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Yeah thanks hun, everything is changing now :( I wont be moving just yet as I want to get my driving up and going again and get a car sorted out as ill need it for the horses etc too.

another thing, with carrig being sold and going somewhere else and you leaving theres going to be no1 to ride with and its not like i can go into a school and just do some schooling or lunging and then go for hacks on my own etc as we dont have a school or anything! Plus I think id like to bring her closer to home too as, as soon as that new stadium is up and going its going to be a nightmare trying to get over to the horses from my house!

I dont know will have a think about it and if i get the job then its obviously ment to be and ill have to sort everything out etc.

xx
 
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