I really want my own horse - or do I?

[Christie81]

Basically ideal scenario is that I have a horse I can spend time with whenever I feel like it but someone else looks after it the majority of the time. I know that sounds really selfish but I work long shifts and would be too knackered to go down to the stable every day - however I'd quite like to do that on my days off.

Am I being unrealistic? should I think about loan/share instead? any experiences?

I have done horses from full DIY through to full livery. I have to say that a decent livery yard can make owning a horse whilst working a total pleasure - no panic about getting there early for feeds, changing rugs at night etc. However, you have to be sure that the livery yard is good enough quality to carry out their tasks to your standards.

DIY is great - but gives no flexibility to have a life. Which is fine if you can do that (ideally not having to go to work) but if you have a partner and children as well as a job, then livery is definitely the way to go.

Best of luck in finding the right horse - a good time to buy as the market prices always go down this time of year as people want to keep their horse for one more summer before selling :)

It depends if money is an issue. If you have plenty and can afford full livery then go for it! If you are less flush then I would look for a share, that you can arrange to do on your days off, and will cost you far less. Have you had a horse before? If not again I think I would go for a share first to see how you find it, as they are a lot easier to walk away from if it proves to be too much.

If you find a good DIY yard then you can come to an arrangement between yourselves.

We've got a miserable pony and we have a girl who mucks her out in exchange for riding.

I share as like you OP I work long hours (and my work is unpredictable too) so I could not commit to caring for a horse. I could not afford full livery and I would worry about what would happen if the horse needed the vet/farrier/dentist as I would struggle to get time off work.

I have a lovely horse on share who is basically mine on Saturdays but the rest of the week I do not have to worry about him. I pay £80 per month for the privilege (more expensive than some but he is kept at top yard with excellent facilities). It is cheap (compared to owning) and stress-free. The owners appreciate the extra cash and having a day off.

Have you had a horse before? If not I would definitely share first, it has been a real eye-opener for me (in a good way, but made me realise there is a lot more to horse ownership than meets the eye). There are loads of people looking for sharers, especially if you could commit to a mid-week day.

Good luck.

Its doable if you can afford full livery, plus plus plus.....its all the little add ons, like paying someone to ride your horse.

I was talking to someone at our yard who does full livery.....well 5 days, which from memory is about 550 a month - but she said it is really 800 a month with all the extra's.....no sure if that would include insurance, but probably dentist and farrier etc

To be honest OP, if you work shifts, and only really want to visit the horse on your days off (so that would be, what, once or twice a week?), then I would go with a share. Especially one where you only pay for the rides that you take each week/month. That way, you can spend the spare time you have with a horse as you feel like it and when you don't feel like it, there is nothing to feel guilty about. Not to mention the cost .

Owning/loaning a horse takes a lot of time and energy, so it may not be the solution for you right now. Also a share of 1-2 days gives you a taster, so that if you want to step it up to higher levels eventually, it won't be such a drain. I found riding 1-3 times week easy, 4 times a week doable, and 5 times a week (not to mention the competing) was hugely draining on my energy, so much so, that generally by November, I would be physically exhausted.

Hope this helps.

I agree with the comments above. My horse is on full livery and I work long hours so it works perfectly. If I've had a long day and cant face the yard I don't have to. However, it doesn't come cheaply.

If you cant stretch to full livery than a share is probably your best bet.

You need training livery where your horse is looked after 100% including schooled/hacked. Few horses are likely to stay sound and well behaved if ridden sporadically but this way your horse's needs are all met and you can just enjoy him whenever you have time. It is a very expensive option though and you should expect to pay anything from 130 pounds a week onwards depending on the area you stable your horse at.