6 things you discover when you get two (or more) horses

chunky monkey

Well-Known Member
May 2, 2007
8,870
6,742
113
Just read this off Google Newsstand think its from Horse and Hound but it really made me laugh since I'm now the owner of two.

For years, he’s been an 'only horse'. Then, for whatever reason, one becomes two, and suddenly everything changes, for him as well as you. Here’s how…
1. One horse: Nothing is too good — or too pricey — for your precious darling. The latest limited edition rugs? Of course, he’s special and you want everyone to know it. Personalised headcollars? Your tackroom is dripping with them. Saddles for every discipline and another for hacking out? It’s money well spent as far as you’re concerned.

Two or more horses: Your idea of a spending binge is buying two well used but servicable second-hand rugs off Preloved that you’re pretty sure you can fix up with some duct tape. And you wonder if you can wedge the smaller one of your horses into that old pony rug you found in the back of your garage. If not then you’ll have to grab a duvet off the spare bed.

2. One horse: Your weekends consist of a leisurely hack with friends and perhaps a lesson with your favourite instructor.

Two or more horses: Your hack becomes a lot less leisurely when you’re towing along (or being towed by) horse #2 because he needs exercise and you’ve got limited daylight hours in which to do so.

3. One horse: You have that morning turning-and-mucking-out-before-work routine down to a fine art. You can hit the yard, do all your chores in half an hour, and be sitting demurely at your desk at 9am without breaking a sweat.

Two or more horses: It shouldn’t take twice as long, should it? You feed them together and turn them out together. Theoretically, it should only take a few extra minutes to muck out an extra stable and do an extra hay net and water bucket. So why oh why does it seem to take three times as long? Yet now you arrive late for work every day, red faced, panting with exertion and still picking hay out of your hair.

4. One horse: All your horse’s stable gear is colour coded — his buckets, rugs, headcollar, saddlecloth and bandages are all green. Or red. Or blue.

Two or more horses: Everything is brown. It’s winter, mud has coated everything. So long as you manage to find buckets, boots, rugs and saddlecloths that are in a condition that’s fit to use, you’re happy — whether they match is the last thing on your mind!

5. One horse: You spend hours grooming, trimming his feathers and giving him a glossy mane and tail that would make Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen jealous.

Two or more horses: You’ve picked out their feet and brushed them both as much as you need to (where the tack goes), to save precious time for getting them both exercised.

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

6. One horse: Sure, horses are expensive, but you can still afford a night out with friends once in a while and that handbag you’ve got your eye on.

Two or more horses: You’re so skint, you have to root around in your purse for enough coins to put petrol into your car to get to the yard. Your idea of an exciting night (in) is a bottle of Lambrini for two, and forget expensive handbags when you can get a ‘bag For life’ for 20p!

But who needs expensive handbags when you have two or more fabulous horses in your life? We know you wouldn’t have it any other way.

 
Nope I treat one like the multiple most of the time. The only difference is they all had their own *colour* coded stuff to make it easier for feeds and going to shows.
 
Last edited:
It's very much based on my own experience - I love my girls but I am skint and knackered!
 
Lovely funning writing Squids in.
But two horses may be an emotional safety belt too?
Not like kids - not quite - I loved mine equally. But Maisie and then Grace grabbed me body and soul from the very first ride, leaving the second horse as an also ran.
 
I read this on Horse and Hound, brilliant @squidsin and very relatable! I never wanted 2 but ended up with 2 when Bail retired and wanted another riding horse. It is hard work especially mornings, I always think when I've mucked out 1 stable, I could nearly be done by now :p but yes it's definitely worth it!
 
I love having my two, People still think I am made that Chanter comes in every night for a full groom and some mummy time.

But it is hard and it is double the cost and double the time
 
Lovely funning writing Squids in.
But two horses may be an emotional safety belt too?
Not like kids - not quite - I loved mine equally. But Maisie and then Grace grabbed me body and soul from the very first ride, leaving the second horse as an also ran.

Possibly! Roxy is definitely my number one still - I don't really need two horses, I just can't bear to sell her on. I don't think that will change but there's always room in my heart for another - I have two kids, two dogs and two cats, too!
 
I think it can be harder emotionally having 2 horses @Skib I used to feel so guilty riding and fussing over another. Plus I love my old boy so much, I've had him 8 years I know him inside out, his quirks his funny ways, everything. It felt like there was no room to love another and it took a long time for me too. I love little Charlie now but in a very different way than to Bail, I love the very bones of that horse and if push came to shove and I couldn't afford them I'm be camping under a bridge with him. Charlie I could sell it'd hurt but I could do it quite easily. Don't get me wrong I love and care about him but I feel like Bail takes up so much of my love I can't love Charlie as much.
 
Some horses get to you, some don't. So I totally see where you are coming from @Skib .
I am very fond of Oscar but won't be particularly sad to see him eventually go when outgrown. Sad for my daughter of course, because she really does adore him, but not personally. On the other hand, saying goodbye to Lisa was very hard.
 
newrider.com