Taking your horse to college...would you do it?

So next year I'm going to Montana State University which is pretty pretty far away from where I live now, in Oregon. Basically I can't decide whether to take Lacey or not. The cons for taking her are her age (24), her lack of suitability for any discipline other than trail, I don't know where I'd keep her, I have no idea how I'd get her there and back and the fact that I'm going to be a freshman so I won't know what's going on/what's expected in college so I might not have enough time for her. The pros are that I'd be able to practice what I'm learning in class (Equine Science major), I could be sure of how she's being treated (I love my BO but if I left her here for a year who knows what would happen), I'd be sure of having some horsey time outside of class, and I'd be able to have a pet around since I haven't seen anything that says pets are allowed in the dorms. Another concern is the major change in temperature because even though Oregon isn't "warm" it isn't "cold" and really snowy like Montana, especially at her age. I'm not too sure I could find anyone to lease her next year either, if I leave her here, because she isn't really a "fun" kind of horse, she's more of a challenge and she's definitely not a first dip into caring for a horse kind of horse. And she's definitely not for the faint of heart. What would you do?

Hey :)
We're going to be classmates!
MSU doesn't allow any pets in the dorms. There is boarding nearby, but on campus is like $350 a month. There are a few in the $160-180 range. I don't know if you plan on working but it's pretty easy to get a job in Bozeman.
I think she would do okay with the weather. You just blanket them up and the are okay. We get a lot of horses brought in from California, and they do just fine.
IHSA and Rodeo Team practice once a week so that's a good way to practice if you don't bring her. Also, I will have Diesel and would be glad to do a partial lease with you if you like.
You have to take the intro to animal science class first semester so I don't think you actually get to take any of the riding classes until at least second semester, so keep that in mind.

It is possible to do. I work 3 jobs, go to school FT, and still ride/compete with my horse. I'm on the deans list so I'm not sacrificing grades. But it does take a toll on you.

To be frank though, it will be a lot easier if you don't bring her. It's expensive, time-consuming, etc. There are plenty of options to ride out here.

So it reall boils down to your bond with Lacey. If you just want to have horsey time, don't bring her.
If you think she wouldn't be safe/you would be miserable without her, bring her.

Hey classmate! =P Yeah... That's kinda what I've been leaning towards, leaving her here that is. I'm just not feeling like I need the added stress or whatever of a "special" horse along with being freaked out about being in college. Haha I just don't know what she'd be doing while I'm there...because I would need to find someone to look after her which could be my BO's daughter because she thinks Lacey is the best but I dunno.

You could definitely talk to her. Make sure to get everything in writing if you do decide to do that.

But don't worry, you're going to have plenty of horsey time. :)
I'm debating switching to a Sociology major and just taking some of the equine classes and I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to fit in all the horse stuff lol

Excited? :)


I hope you figure out what to do

I'm super excited! =D
I'm actually coming to visit the first week in April... It's going to be the farthest I've ever been from home. It's going to be way cool.

Having a horse and riding in college is a pretty big commitment. I did it but I didn't have the "special needs" situation you do.

Nothing is permanent. Just because you leave her home during first semester doesn't mean you can't bring her second semester or next year. I had a friend who moved across the country to go to school and spent the first few months horseless as she tried to find a barn.

The downside to no equine is just that - no pony. :( Pony breaks definitely helped me survive my first year. Hopefully you can find a barn that will let you come hang out even if you decide to leave your mare at home.

Goodluck!

I don't know if it would be a good idea, simply because of her age.
Victor's coming with me when I go to college. I'm looking into Meredith Manor right now. :)

Good luck!

I am in NZ, so my situation may be a little different in ways to yours.

But....
im on my 3rd year at uni now. I didint take my 2 horses with me to the city but I still have them. I was lucky enough to be able to leave them in the care of my wonderful mother. But on the other hand I do travel for about six or so hours on a bus every 2 months to go home and see/ ride them for about 2 weeks then travel back to the city again.

My 2 are older aswell, I have retired one horse now, he's 24, the other horse is about 19/20 and still ridden when I go home. Leasing wasnt the easyiest option for me as the type of horse Boo is so I descided not to go that way.

I miss them all the time......and buy the time 2 months is up im itching to go home and ride. I wish dearly I could take them, but its very expensive were I am , and the closest I could keep them to me would be about 1/2 hour to 1 hour away......and with no car ... well things would be difficult just getting to them.


I have heard stories of people taking there horses to college/ uni with them and altho things were full on it was the time they spent with there horses that was the time out for them, it was there way of relaxing while they were going through the stress of exams, study and such things.

But like you said your horse is a special needs so this may not be the case.

Either way.........good luck with your descision

I know it would be stress ful, but im taking my horse with me to OSU with me, weather it causes extra stress or not simpley because I don't think I can handle being away from her and that would just cause more stress. But my horse dosnt have special needs, and im going to be doing the rodeos held by OSU, so they have a place right by the dorms to bord her in... I would take him if I were you, just because I know how hard it would be for you to be away from him, and that would just cause even more stress for you. Good luck!

I took my mare with me I just graduated Lamar Community College here in Colorado last May, and they let me bring her and I paid 300 a semester to have her there it was awsome! She got ridden every day because she was in the traning program it was definatley beneficial for the both of us.... I was miserable with out her the last semester though so I mad a bunch of trips home on the weekends.LOL.. But I only live 3 hours from where I went to school.