How to manage taking your horse to University

So, you’re heading off to university and first, let me say congratulations! Whether you’re getting ready to make the leap into your first year, or you’ve been studying for a year or two already, it’s a fantastic achievement and one of the most exciting adventures.

If the thought of leaving your precious four-legged best friend behind is too much to bear and you’ve decided to bring them along, then keep on reading to find out how you can make the transition as smooth as possible.

Adapting to life as a university student can be a daunting process that requires a lot of commitment and responsibility. If you own/lease/care for/ breathe the same air as a horse, then you’ll already be well versed in these two little virtues. However, juggling university alongside your horse is going to be a whole new challenge that will test your time management skills and dedication, but is sure to provide you with memories that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.

Before we get started…

I’m sure you’re already aware, but just so you’ve heard it from me too, balancing your studies, horses, and learning to fend for yourself at the same time, is HARD. I’m not going to sugar-coat it, this is no mean feat.

Make sure you think long and hard about what you want to get out of the university experience. Don’t sacrifice your social life or the opportunity to try something new. University comes with hundreds of sports clubs and societies to try out, and let me tell you, they’re so much fun (*sighs in nostalgia*). If you aren’t 100% convinced that bringing your horse along is the right choice for you but you’re worried about missing riding, then join the society! Most universities will have a wonderful equestrian society for you to join where you can meet lots of like-minded people, so you’ll be sure to get your horsey fix whether you bring yours along, or not. You’ll even get the chance to compete or try some new equestrian sports like horseball or polocrosse!

If your heart is still set on bringing your best bud to university with you, then let's get into the nitty-gritty…

Find a supportive yard

Finding a yard close to your campus or halls that is willing and able to help you out is a must to make bringing your horse feasible. Chances are you won’t be the first person to bring your horse along, so hopefully, the yard you choose will have experience supporting students to manage their horses.

In an ideal world, a full or 5-day livery package is the best choice to have as much time for work and play, as well as riding and caring for your horse. This level of flexibility, however, comes at a cost, and this will likely be expensive. So, if this isn’t a viable option then an assisted DIY livery package will be the best solution. This way you’re not heading backward and forward to the yard multiple times a day, which likely won’t fit into your course, independent study, and social calendars.

Flexibility is the golden ticket to making this plain sailing. Look for a yard that is willing to be flexible (within reason) around your schedule. Perhaps it’s a choice between morning or evening jobs at an assisted DIY livery yard? That way, if you know you’ll likely be waking up feeling a little worse for wear the next day, you won’t have to crawl out of bed and head to the yard with a pounding head, first thing in the morning.

P.S. Two paracetamol, a glass of water, and something to eat before you go to bed will help with said pounding head.

Join Facebook groups

If you’re going into your first year then Facebook groups are going to be your lifeline, trust me on this one. In the months leading up to your grand departure, Facebook groups for your halls of residence, courses, or societies will already be popping up. Have a look for your university accommodation or your course (make sure it’s the right academic year) and join those. This is a fantastic way to start connecting with people before you arrive on move-in day and can help it feel like a much less daunting experience if you’ve already been chatting to a few friends before you get there.

Once you’ve joined these groups, ask around or write a post asking if anyone else is bringing their horse along with them. You won’t be the only one so connect with people who are also going through the same thought process and see if you can help each other out. Ask what yards they’re looking at or if they have any recommendations or suggestions for you.

Build a strong network

This is gospel whether you have horses at university or not, but particularly if you’re heading off with your bags packed and a horse under one arm. If you’ve managed to connect with another horsey person via the Facebook groups or on campus, then see if you could stable your horse at the same place as them. Having a friend to carpool with or be on the yard with you can help to make doing your horse a less isolating or lonely experience.

Having a friend on the yard will come in seriously handy for those mornings when you wake up with the room spinning or a bout of freshers’ flu. See if they’ll be willing to cover your horse from time to time and in return, offer the same for them. If you’ve made some horsey friends who perhaps didn’t bring their horse with them, see if they will help you out with the odd job in return for a ride or spending some quality time around your horse. There’s a very high chance they’ll be missing their horse or riding regularly so you’ll probably find they jump at this opportunity!

Making friends who understand and support your crazy schedule is a must. They don’t have to be horsey to do this, just some people who recognise your passion and support your busy timetable. Having people to talk to if things are feeling a little tough is so important. Going to university is a big step for anyone, especially if you’ve got to juggle your horse too. Building a supportive network is so important, so don’t skimp out on making those friendships.

Manage your time

This will probably be one of the first times you’ve had full responsibility for yourself and your studies. Unlike school, no one makes you go and if you don’t feel like studying that day, no one's going to force you! You’re in lessons for a lot less time than you were at school but there is the expectation that you complete enough independent study alongside that too, and this is your responsibility.

Time management is a crucial skill to master to balance your studies, your horse, and your social life. Once you’ve got your timetable, plan out your day in advance, or even your week. Have a set time that you’ll go to the stables, working it around your lectures that day and factoring in any assignments. Try and stay within the amount of time you’ve budgeted for the stables. This may seem like a chore to start with but trust me, it’s worth it! Soon it will become second nature and rigorously planning your days won’t be necessary.

And at the end of your time at university… you’ll have some wonderful examples of how you showed commitment, time management, and responsibility to put on your CV and cover letter for whatever profession you choose!

With that said, I will leave you with some wise words from my favourite lecturer in my undergraduate course. She also became my dissertation supervisor in my final year, and in the many meetings where I panicked about impending deadlines, she’d hand me a biscuit and say… “it always gets done”. And she was right, no matter how many deadlines you’ve got coming up and whatever else you’re juggling on top of that, the work always gets done. Even when you look at it and think “I haven’t got a clue how I’m going to finish all of this”, you will, because “it always gets done”.

So, have a wonderful time at university, immerse yourself in everything it has to offer, and if you take your horse with you, enjoy the journey with your best friend by your side.

Best of luck!

Px

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