WWYD - second horse maybe

kezz86

kezz86

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Hi all,

I'm having a mini dilemma...

I LOVE my mare and she's soooo good for me she's got me from a nervous wreck to jumping cross-country jumps, hacking out in open spaces in two years. I've also dabbled in a bit of side-saddle with her and she's just awesome!

Now my problem is she is getting on a bit and I'm worried that if I don't do something now, that when she's no longer ride-able I'll just loose all my confidence again.

I'm in the position where I am able to afford a second horse... so I'm thinking I could get something now to get used to and if I have a wobbly moment I can go back to my mare until I'm ready to try again...

Another benefit of a second horse would be that my OH is learning to ride my mare atm so we could hack out together :)

I've got a possible loan horse in mind who I tried three years ago and might be available again now he's 9 but was 6 when I first tried him and with dodgy nerves and a baby horse I decided not to take him but now he's older and hopefully wiser and I'm far more confident it could work... I'm also wondering if it's "meant to be" as he's available now as I'm thinking of getting another...

Sorry for the long post tea (Pimms) and strawberries for all who reply.

I just needed to think out loud a bit... (still sounding like a good idea too...)
 
I think you are being very sensible about putting so much thought into the situation. I have just bought a second horse so understand where you are coming for.

The main issues for me were:

- Could I afford the upkeep, especially shoeing costs?

- Have I got time? (Mother/part time job/son's pony to keep fit as well)

The other part of having 2 horses is that my old horse has had to take a back seat as I get to know the new one, which does make me feel guilty as I adore him.

However I am coping fine. To combat the additional farrier costs I have taken the back shoes off my other horse, so reduces the bill slightly. Also as have them at home and have plenty of grazing have decided to cut out hard feed over the summer as the work they will be doing won't really warrent it .

Time wise I am just having to be mega organised and have worked out a weekly excercise chart to make sure they all get what they require.

The upside is that my son has started to hack out my old horse, so he is helping out, especially in school hols.

Go for it - if it in going to be on loan how about you ask to have the horse for 6 mnths, then with situation to be reviewed? That way you have a 'get out clause' if you are finding having 2 horses too much.

Good luck!
 
Thanks both!

Well with the shoeing side of things my current mare is barefoot anyway... I will ask potential loan horse owner what the situation with him is.

I actually already have a sharer who loves the idea of a second horse to ride also means I can have a night off now and then and can sharer chores (also be nice to hack out with her!)

I'm fairly organised anyway so time shouldn't be too much of an issue esp. with sharer..

I am not too worried about other horse taking a back seat as have OH and sharer to give her love still so she won't feel left out!

I think loan horse is a good doer (will check) and current horse gets fat on fresh air so hard food no probs.

Will definitely ask for a trial of 6 months with loan horse or a sensible return notice period.

Thanks keep these fab ideas coming at the moment I'm finding very few reasons to not do this!

Sidney said:
I think you are being very sensible about putting so much thought into the situation. I have just bought a second horse so understand where you are coming for.

The main issues for me were:

- Could I afford the upkeep, especially shoeing costs?

- Have I got time? (Mother/part time job/son's pony to keep fit as well)

The other part of having 2 horses is that my old horse has had to take a back seat as I get to know the new one, which does make me feel guilty as I adore him.

However I am coping fine. To combat the additional farrier costs I have taken the back shoes off my other horse, so reduces the bill slightly. Also as have them at home and have plenty of grazing have decided to cut out hard feed over the summer as the work they will be doing won't really warrent it .

Time wise I am just having to be mega organised and have worked out a weekly excercise chart to make sure they all get what they require.

The upside is that my son has started to hack out my old horse, so he is helping out, especially in school hols.

Go for it - if it in going to be on loan how about you ask to have the horse for 6 mnths, then with situation to be reviewed? That way you have a 'get out clause' if you are finding having 2 horses too much.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
 
sounds like you have thought this through properly and two horses would be ideal for you.
Two other thoughts -
riding two different horses daily (or nearly daily) will do your own riding confidence the world of good. They will both be different and you will need to adapt to their little ways - it's also really good for keeping up your technical riding skills -what's an adaptation on one horse will be a bad habit to break on another perhaps (does that makes sense?)

secondly, whether you keep them at home or on a yard you already have a ready-made 'unit', no need to worry about finding a companion or having trauma of an ever-changing herd around them.
 
catkin said:
sounds like you have thought this through properly and two horses would be ideal for you.
Two other thoughts -
riding two different horses daily (or nearly daily) will do your own riding confidence the world of good. They will both be different and you will need to adapt to their little ways - it's also really good for keeping up your technical riding skills -what's an adaptation on one horse will be a bad habit to break on another perhaps (does that makes sense?)

secondly, whether you keep them at home or on a yard you already have a ready-made 'unit', no need to worry about finding a companion or having trauma of an ever-changing herd around them.
Click to expand...

Ooo these are good benefits... I know I've gotten very used to my mare and have found it "weird" getting on anything else...

Well I keep my horse at a livery yard but I'm sure if I asked they could go in together.

Also just thought of another benefit, all this riding I'll be doing will make me super fit for the cruise I have booked in for November! lol

Also if I can't ride for whatever reason the yard has a horse walker ooo also I could pop one on walker and rider the other so at least they'll both do something everyday if sharer/ OH not about :)

Thanks people I'm getting nervous/ excited now!
 
Sounds like you have everything covered, ide say go for it, could you take the loan horse on a trial period first to make sure?
 
You sound like you are very sensible and have thought about this a lot. I think having another horse to ride will give you a lot more confidence as well:D
 
Ok so I've just spoken to potential horse's owner...

Turns out as she is pushed for space these days she is now looking to "sell" the horse I'm interested in... :S
As she won't have the space to take him back if the loan falls through I could always contact her if I run into trouble though...

She will gift him to me if she likes the way we go together for the princely sum of £1!!! (btw this is potential dream horse that I would never otherwise be able to afford... every!!!) He's available so cheap due to previous injuries that "shouldn't" be an issue doing the level of work that I do but would be if he was to go eventing (which is what she bred him for).

Not too much of an issue as at least I could do completely my own thing with him then (shoes, saddles etc) and I would be intending to keep him forever if I loaned him anyway to not too different!

BUT it does mean that I will need to ride him a lot and be 100% sure before I dive in and have him.

But I'm getting good feeling about him and am quietly excited...

I will take to my trainer tonight and also yard owner to see if they think this is a good plan for me, I can also take one or both with me to see me with the horse before taking him home....

Hmm... some BIG thinking to do I think!
 
Do it, do it, do it.

I took this approach and it worked a treat for me. If you have a wobble with New Horse it is so comforting to have your confidence-giver available.
 
Magnetic Sparrow said:
Do it, do it, do it.

I took this approach and it worked a treat for me. If you have a wobble with New Horse it is so comforting to have your confidence-giver available.
Click to expand...

Ha ha thanks Magnetic Sparrow... that was my thinking on it...

BUT I'm doubting the plan a little as one of the other girls on my yard has done it and has not got the confidence with new horse! (although a bit different as she has a baby new horse....)

At least the one I'm thinking of has been out and done a little of everything that I want to do!

eek!
 
how exciting, sounds as if you have been very sensible, taking others with you to view is always a good idea. You have known about this horse for a long time, so you know the owner is genuine.

I am a great believer in things being 'ment' to be, all sounds to be working out just fine. Do let us have an update and some pictures!
 
Adopter said:
how exciting, sounds as if you have been very sensible, taking others with you to view is always a good idea. You have known about this horse for a long time, so you know the owner is genuine.

I am a great believer in things being 'ment' to be, all sounds to be working out just fine. Do let us have an update and some pictures!
Click to expand...

I getting that feeling too that maybe it's "meant" to be! :)

IF it happens of course I will pop some picture up I'm really nervous now incase I've jinxed it by talking about it...

I need to wait two weeks as they are an even yard they are busy getting ready for Badminton and will be away that weekend but then after that I will call them and visit as often as I can before I decide.

Yes it does make me feel better that I've known of him for three years... it's funny how he left such an impression on me after that amount of time...
 
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