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Post by wabuska on Jan 1, 2009 8:38:53 GMT 1
I have been toying with the idea of taking on a second horse for some time, an older horse that I can do anything with and work alongside Flynn. Flynn is my boy, but I realise increasingly that he's going to need a lot of work to find a nice calm centre. Wearing the body protector every day and training as you know is demanding stuff.
In the meantime I would like a safe older horse I can have some fun with, and I have found her. She's nine, bombproof, has done it all and is and a lovely person. I can just about scratch her price together. I think we would do well together and it could only improve my way of going!
How many of you have second horses and how has it impacted you work wise, financially etc? Has riding one compromised your relationship with the other or has it worked out over time? I have the land, but I don't want to be naive about this. I have a lovely old companion mare, so this would make a herd of three.
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Post by Pauline on Jan 1, 2009 9:01:37 GMT 1
I have five, four of these are riding horses (Endurance).
I don't think it changes my feelings for each one or compromises my relationship with each,as they are all different, different temperaments ,different characters.
They are all at different stages of fitness and competition level.
Financially not a lot of difference as I own my land and I have one livery who kindly buys the hay all through the winter in return for doing her horse when she is away on business.
I have a brood mare that will go to stud this year so hopefully will have another horse next year.
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Post by wabuska on Jan 1, 2009 9:17:20 GMT 1
How do you stagger your riding and work Pauline?
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Post by Pauline on Jan 1, 2009 9:40:20 GMT 1
I have a horse walker so they are put on that in the morning while I muck out (Winter)
In the summer they either get put on the Horsewalker am or lunged. I will ride out ,sometimes ride and lead another. I have a lot of hills so it is usefull. Each horse is worked 4 days a week.
At weekends during the winter they will go out for a long ride again sometimes I will ride and lead.
During the summer I use the competitions as well to keep them fit.
I work part time (4 days a week 4-6pm) + 2 or`3 full days at the races.
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Post by wabuska on Jan 1, 2009 9:54:20 GMT 1
Very organised. Thanks for that.
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Jenna
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,353
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Post by Jenna on Jan 1, 2009 9:55:55 GMT 1
I have two. I love it. And yes, having one safe, sensible, do-anything horse actually helps when I come to ride the 4 year old, wizzy pony!
They're both completely different character-wise, stage of training, and method of riding, and I love this.
Financially, they are at livery at the moment, but I'm moving them to some private rented grazing over the next couple of weeks which will be great. They both live out though, so I only pay for grass keep (and lots and lots of hay).
Time-wise, I'm lucky in that I'm self employed. I usually get time during the day to be able to ride. I ride every day if I can (the extreme cold has stopped us this week) and sometimes, if I have time, I may ride both. Kira I only ride once or twice a week because she's so young anyway.
I don't think having two has compromised my relationship at all. I love them both, spend time with both. I try to give them each lots of attention, particularly Kira as I ride her less.
I do have a sharer, and that's great from a financial point of view and time, and it's also fantastic because we can hack out together. She rides Lui twice a week, usually one of those she rides on her own and the other we ride together, great fun and good experience for Kira getting used to riding in company and alone.
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Post by wabuska on Jan 1, 2009 10:04:05 GMT 1
That's just the dynamic I imagine IF I go ahead Jenna. Sounds good for you certainly!
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Post by mags on Jan 1, 2009 10:21:14 GMT 1
Go for it.
Best thing iv done. I love having two. It makes me appreciate each individual personality more. And when the time comes where hopefully there both in work im going to draw up an exercise plan to make sure no one gets left out.
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Post by arabheaven on Jan 1, 2009 10:47:20 GMT 1
I have two but Ori is only 2 and a half. I start my teaching career in September and to be honest, I struggle to ride Zac at the moment with the dark nights so think when Ori is in work, I will either need a yard with a school to ride both or they just both get ridden at weekends over winter then alternate days in spring and both over the school holidays.
I think if you want it bad enough, you find a way. I used to have 3 ridden horses whilst at school (2 of our own and 1 loan horse) and managed it, I just don't remember how!
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Post by wabuska on Jan 1, 2009 11:44:25 GMT 1
Hmmmm? That's what I love about this DG, real experiences at my fingertips. Thanks.
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Post by bramblesmum on Jan 1, 2009 11:48:32 GMT 1
I have two and love it, I get the pony fun with Bramble as she is 13.2hh but also safe as houses and I am in the process of backing Kira so they will be completly different. Because I work from 8.30 - 4.30 and have other responsibilities at home I also have sharers who work Bramble for me, so I can be sure she doesn't lack for work or attention
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greyhorses
Grand Prix Poster
My two grey boys
Posts: 1,204
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Post by greyhorses on Jan 1, 2009 12:51:26 GMT 1
I have two and I love it. Frank has navicular so doesn't get ridden during the week as he finds it hard going in the school. Blue is ridden during the week in the evenings then I try and hack both over the weekends. It's great going out for a fizzy ride on Frank and coming back and putting him out in the field, collecting Blue and doing the same lap again but on a chilled out cob.
I work 8.30 - 5.00 so think I'd have trouble trying to keep both fit if required.
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Azrael
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,733
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Post by Azrael on Jan 1, 2009 12:57:08 GMT 1
I have three. At the moment one fully rideable, one semi-backed and one that's been sat on a couple of times but too young to do any real work yet. The only problem I've found is if I'm heading out for a hack and have a choice of the one I know well and is pretty safe, a total pratt sometimes but pretty safe in that she does try not to drop people while pratting about, or the just about backed youngster with a lot of opinions its just so tempting to go for the easier option and take the older one out.
At the moment it all works ok but they're a lot of work in winter when they're in with only restricted turnout so if Jay comes into work, Mia is still cooperating with the whole riding idea and not found yet another way to damage herself, and I get a new job (which I hope to do in the next few months) something is going to have to change I'm just not sure what yet.
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Post by jes on Jan 1, 2009 13:15:17 GMT 1
Kanga, that's just what I would love to do, but can't afford to keep two at livery. I have to have full livery really too as I leave home at 7am for work and get back at 6.30pm, no time for DIY and 2 at F/L would be ridiculously expensive.
I say go for it, you have the land and I'm sure you could work out a rota for exercising them. An older, more sensible horse will increase your confidence too.
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Post by cassiejane on Jan 1, 2009 13:22:29 GMT 1
Have you really considered the time involved in having two and are you sure that Flynns training wont suffer time wise. I took on a second horse for exactly the same reason this time last year and have only ridden him a few times, because I just cant find the time and when i do have time its my first horse who I ride. Financially it has made no difference to me as they are at home so the extra costs are not high but the extra time, even without riding are more tricky. So now year later out of fairness for Harry I am looking for a loan home for him, he is just too good to sit in the field as a companion.
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