Ponies and secondary school

[marialuisa]

Just wondered how those of you with secondary school age dcs with ponies manage to make it work? Do your DCs do other activities such as music or do they not have time?

DD is currently in Y6 and very busy, with a long commute but negligible homework. She wants to progress to the linked senior school but I'm not sure it's realistic unless she drops other activities or we substantially cut back on pony time (not a real option!). I'm reluctant to push for moving to a school closer to home if she's likely to have to drop other activities anyway as she'll be very fed up (and schools closer to home are a bit underwhelming).

[IndieSkies]

I used to go to the stables before school in the morning to feed, muck out and water, and then dash out of school to catch the bus to the stables straight after school. School was in town, stables 5 miles from home - it was much easier when the horse was v close to home. We could ride after school in the summer, but not so in the winter. Spent all dat Sat and Sun at the stables, fitted in homework at the end of the day - or did it in the library during lunch hour. In the end boyfriends took over horse time more than school.

[Olderyetwilder]

GD is at secondary school and doesn't do any other activities (but does have friends round at weekends etc). She also spends 4 lunch breaks a week in the library to keep on top of homework so she can maximise her pony time. It's a bit more complicated for us as she goes to her mother's or dad's every other weekend, so that cuts into the time available.

When we got her first pony it was on the basis that she was committed enough to make the sacrifices, otherwise we'd have happily increased her riding lessons, but she wouldn't have had her own pony if she wanted to do other activities on top. As it is we still struggle to do everything we want to (only do Pony Club once a month etc) and DH often doesn't see his horse for a few days in the week to fit in GS's golf and rugby.

A compromise could be to get a sharer for dpony if dd wants to do other things or continue with commute?

[marialuisa]

Dpony not really the age/type that would make a sharer or working livery an option. I also feel (like you!) that DD needs to know that having dpony involves choices and sacrifices but wasn't sure to what extent older kids had to make the ponies or... choice. She gave up one musical instrument when she got him and I think she probably needs to give up another; I worry about pushing it as she's apparently rather gifted musically (been asked to audition for junior conservatoire) but I think she's reaching crunch point and music will lose! I've been chatting to the older girls at pony club and homework in the library at lunch time does seem to be a common theme. If we could get that in place it would make a huge difference as we could be in by 7/7.30pm even with the commute which gives enough time for supper, shower, one lot of decent music practise. It's just the fuel costs (very painful).

[Olderyetwilder]

Difficult one marialuisa, GD doesn't have any particular aptitude for anything else, so no talent to waste! There's quite a gang of horsey girls in the library at lunch time and it does mean that homework is up to date (otherwise I strongly suspect that we'd be having homework v ponies arguments!). Any chance of moving nearer to school? (although recognise that entire family moving house to accommodate pony time may be a bit extreme! )

[marialuisa]

We were considering it but price differential is a bit of a killer and if you take school out of the equation we are actually all really happy and settled where we are. I suspect I just need to be brave and make the school move but DD is so happy at school...I have a horrible feeling this important decision affecting DD's future may end up being decided by tossing a coin in April!

[StopRainingPlease]

DD and I share a pony. She has a fair commute. During the summer I take her maybe one evening a week and weekends, and ride myself other weekdays. In winter though she can't make it after school before it's dark, and she does have homework during the week, so I don't think we'd manage without a sharer if I didn't ride him too. Some of the people at the yard do go in the dark mind you, but we've never fancied it.

Kids who are at closer schools are more able to go in the evenings, it has to be said.

[frenchfancy]

We are new to pony owning, but the clocks going back have certainly made me realise that week nights are going to be difficult. DD gets the bus at 7:15 to get so school, so morning visits aren't really feasible. She doesn't get back until nearly 6pm so we are going to be going to the stables then, back at 7:30pm to eat and do homework before bed.

There is no way I would expect her to do any other extra ciricular activities. There are not enough hours in the day.

[marialuisa]

I don't expect-she wants to! I'm impressed you can do evening stables in 90 mins, although we could in theory DD likes to chat and once on pony we both tend to lose track of the time!

[Pixel]

My sister and I never had time for any other activities when we were at secondary. After school I would have to dash straight off to do my paper round (had saturday job too to afford pony's keep), then home, change and out again to walk to stables. We had to walk up a dark track over the Downs to the farm which didn't seem to worry our parents but we did have a big dog! Our house (and my paper round) were in one valley and the farm in the next so we spent a lot of time climbing hills, no wonder I was so skinny . At the stables we'd muck out, sort feeds and get the ponies in. Everything had to be done in the evening as we didn't have to visit at all in the morning if we didn't want to. The farmer used to go round the yard changing rugs then let all the ponies out and herd them to the field. . In the winter that meant no riding although we did used to go out on the Downs bareback occasionally if it was a clear night. Sometimes a full moon was almost like daylight. Mostly though we'd have to dash back for dinner and homework, if we were babysitting somewhere we'd take our homework with us and do it there.
I suppose if we hadn't had to earn money for the ponies we would have had quite a lot of free time for other interests. On the other hand we were lucky that we didn't have to rely on parents to get us to the stables or get a bus home from school (it was very near our house) which helped us manage our time better.