Penumbra
Well-Known Member
I'm just about to finish my first term of my final year at uni, and I would say that while I could have managed a horse timewise over the previous two years, there's no way I could manage a horse and a part time job this year. I know some people may be more organised than me, but I have found the workload has really stepped up, and having a dissertation to do takes a lot of time, as well as having to arrange things like meetings with supervisors, which aren't always within normal office hours, and can be a bit inconvenient.
Also, just supposing the pony didn't sell at all, what would you do at the end of your final year? The pony would become a tie that might prevent you from getting the ideal job that would enable you to buy a permenant horse in the future.
I think it could work well on your placement year, especially if you have at least one of the summers free to work on the pony. I just think that if you are unable to sell, this could become a real issue. I agree that the suggestion of getting a loan from an equine charity might be better!
With the pony, depending on type, I would guess you would be aiming at the second pony type market. The thing with this sort of market, is the pony does usually still need to be safe and reliable for people to want to buy it for their child. I do know a few 13hh ponies who have been backed or brought on by adults/older teenagers, who have never actually got a child to sit on the pony. This can end up producing a pony which is very ridable for a small adult, but doesn't really understand the aids given by a child with shorter legs, and can't always "take a joke" in the way a child's pony needs to. I'm not saying it can't be done, just giving you something to consider. A pony that is very safe in the stable for a child to groom/tack up and easy to catch and bring in will also be much more sellable.
When you take into account the cost of keeping the pony for a year, you'll probably end up making a loss.
I think it could work, if you go in eyes wide open, and knowing exactly what you need to produce. However, if you just want something to have fun with for a year, then a loan might be better.
Also, just supposing the pony didn't sell at all, what would you do at the end of your final year? The pony would become a tie that might prevent you from getting the ideal job that would enable you to buy a permenant horse in the future.
I think it could work well on your placement year, especially if you have at least one of the summers free to work on the pony. I just think that if you are unable to sell, this could become a real issue. I agree that the suggestion of getting a loan from an equine charity might be better!
With the pony, depending on type, I would guess you would be aiming at the second pony type market. The thing with this sort of market, is the pony does usually still need to be safe and reliable for people to want to buy it for their child. I do know a few 13hh ponies who have been backed or brought on by adults/older teenagers, who have never actually got a child to sit on the pony. This can end up producing a pony which is very ridable for a small adult, but doesn't really understand the aids given by a child with shorter legs, and can't always "take a joke" in the way a child's pony needs to. I'm not saying it can't be done, just giving you something to consider. A pony that is very safe in the stable for a child to groom/tack up and easy to catch and bring in will also be much more sellable.
When you take into account the cost of keeping the pony for a year, you'll probably end up making a loss.
I think it could work, if you go in eyes wide open, and knowing exactly what you need to produce. However, if you just want something to have fun with for a year, then a loan might be better.