Your thoughts on bringing a horse to college...

[amanti20]

What are your thoughts/experiences with bringing a horse to college???? Did you find that you didn't have enough time to properly balance studies and the care of a horse? Did you attend an equestrian based college? Would you recommend keeping a horse at college?

I value and appreciate your opinions.

[TT11]

I went to Warwickshire College and had a horse with me for all of the three years I was there.
The first year I had my arab gelding on working livery which worked out fairly well. I only paid livery for the days he wasn't used by the college. The only problem was that they didn't always tell me if he hadn't been worked on one of their days. There was also no Winter turnout so you had to think of lots of things to do with your horse to keep it from being bored & standing in a stable all day, the college using him obviously helped with that.
During my second year I kept him on DIY livery at the college as I was living very close by and the facilities are excellent, again no Winter turnout, I used to turn him out in the indoor school in the evenings after everyone had finished using it so he could have a play.
During my final year I had my mum's new pony with me at a DIY yard near college. This was easier as they had year round turnout. I also had a part time job during my final year but found that I wasn't too short of time to fit in studying and riding.
I think that taking your horse with you has got to be much easier at an equestrian college. The lecturers don't mind if you turn up in jods or have to miss a lecture because the vet is coming. You are also on site to ride between lectures and I found that there were lots good riders who wanted to look after my horse if I went home for the weekend.

[buster]

my friend left her horse at home and because she's not home as much her parents are putting her horse up for sale :cool:

[eventerbabe]

i went to a uni close to home to enable me to keep my horses. i knew people who took theirs to uni (non-horsey) but couldn't cope. but the situation would be completely different if you were at an equine college.

The lecturers don't mind if you turn up in jods or have to miss a lecture because the vet is coming
wish mine had been like that! i used to have to tell little white lies. they thought i was the most sickly student on the course :D

[Volvic]

I'm getting a horse soon & it will be coming to Hartpury with me. I know it will be hard financially, but I just cant turn down the opportunity as Hartpury has such fantastic facilities. Also I want to do my stage 3 while I'm there & I think I will be at a good advantage if I have a horse to practise on.

TT11 - how did you find having a horse on DIY while at college? Did your parents help out at all financially?

[AKA_Sophia]

hey there, I'm worried about that too. Next year I'll only be 17 and im going to a university interstate so i will be living on my own and have to work and study and i really want to take my boy Rusty. The uni iI'm going to has campus accomidation and a huge equine center so I really hope it works out!!

Otherwise my parents will have to learn to ride and ride Rust for me :p :eek: Ha Ha Ha !

[fhchik06]

Ditto for me, lol... 17, going to MSU (Ky) in Spring and Im looking for a boarding stable for my two babies that's cheaper than the schools, lol..found one jsut as close as the schools stable, but I don't know about their prices yet... hope it's cheap. *pray for me* lol

[dizzy_mel]

if you are going to be living in at thye college , take your horse or if u live quite far away take it. I took my hoerse to college , it was alot easier then keeping him at home. but everyone is different and it depends on where you go for how the situation really is ....

[Volvic]

Dizzy Mel - which college did you go to?

[jUmPingIsLifE]

well i am bringing tahoe with me to college. its either that or sell or full lease him out. i couldn't stand being away from him so i am bringing him. i may end up half leasing him to someone at the barn i keep him at but he will be near me and i will be seeing him every day :D