Balencing Work and Horses

[--x--Jenny--x--]

Hi

I started riding again recently after a 4/5yr gap. Previous to that I owned horse for 8/9 years and rode for least 5 yrs for that. I am now considering buying a horse again (well once I get my riding up to scratch so more like in 12 months time).

I was just wondering how other people found balencing (sp?) horses and work?! When I owned my horses I was at school and college so this wasn't an issue. I know I need to think carefully about whether I have time (and I will spend the next twelve months considering this) but just wanted to see how others coped:D.

[Jane.A]

Hard work. Esp if you add home and family into the equation too. It is doo-able but you have to be structured and organised if you intend to do the horse yourself and have assistance in place for times when its just not possible. I worked shifts a lot, so when I was in livery I fed on my way to work, 5.30am, and another livery turned out for me. I would muck out when done, about 2.30pm unless I got detained with work. Then ride. Fetch her (other livery) horse in. Feed and leave everything ready for next day. Home. cook tea and be in bed by 9am.
When I got the horses at home I shared a groom, Rachael, with my neighbour as by that time I had three horses and foal and would feed b4 work, 0530 and Rachael would turn out, muck out and set fair. I would fetch in, work horses, feed. Prepare for next day. Feed family. Back out 9pm to hay up and skip out. Bed.
On afternoons I fed at 7am, started riding at 8.30 and Rachael would turn out others and start mucking out. I would help when done and leave everything ready for horses coming in. Rachael would fetch horses in at 3pm before she went home and husband would feed round. I'd be home about 10.30pm, skip out, hay up, bed.
Nights, feed at about 7am when I got home, bed. Up about 1pm. Rachael would have mucked out and turned out. I would fetch in and work. Feed horses at tea time. Feed family. Husband would hay up and skip out at 10pm as I went to work at 9pm.
Shopping fitted in on days off, but now you can do on-line and get delivered:D. the schedule was punishing but I was young enough to cope. Not sure I could do it all now. Thankfully I don't have to as I no longer have a proper job:)

[acw295]

Think it really depends on what your job is - do you commute etc? I am planning to buy my first horse next year once I've finished my MBA. I currently work full time and fit in study, share pony and other riding 4 times a week without much bother. I also have a hectic social life! The house is a mess - but I ignore the dirt :o:D

I work fairly short hours though, 9-5.30ish with lots of holiday and live less than 10 mins from work. Will keep pony locally too so that will help. I plan to have assisted DIY on weekdays so I only have to go to pony every evening, and do DIY at weekends.

I've resigned myself to the fact that fulfilling my horse dream (which is massive) means limiting myself a bit career wise. I could double my salary by moving sector and commuting to the city - but then I couldn't have the horse. It's a trade off I am happy with :)

Good luck - we may be horse hunting at the same time!