If you love horses and will be entering college soon, the thought of owning a horse in college may have crossed your mind. The truth is, many young horse owners opt to sell their horses before going away to college. But many college students also manage to continue on with their horse ownership while also pursuing their studies. While the right choice for you depends on your individual situation, owning a horse in college can be a bit of a balancing act.

Financial Demands

We all know that owning a horse is expensive, but what may be a manageable expense while you’re in high school can quickly become much more financially draining when you enter college. In addition to your horse’s upkeep, remember that you will also have to pay for college tuition, your housing, and all of the additional numerous expenses that are associated with college, such as books and supplies.

Time Demands

Owning a horse requires a significant amount of time. If you are able to full board your horse, then your time demands will be lessened, though remember that full boarding will also increase your financial demands. If your horse requires regular work and needs to be kept in a program, then you will need to schedule time for regular rides. This can be tough, especially during your first year of college when you are still getting used to your new schedule and work load.

Required Transportation

Some colleges may offer you the opportunity to board your horse on campus. But if you have to board your horse off-campus, then you will also need a form of transportation to go visit him or her. Some colleges have excellent transportation services, while others allow you to have a car on campus. If you’re considering owning a horse during college, it’s important to look into whether you will be able to bring your own car. Remember to also budget money for the expense of your car’s upkeep, its gas and your car insurance.

Definite Benefits

While owning a horse in college can be a challenge, there are definite benefits that go along with horse ownership. When you own a horse, heading to the barn can provide you with a much-needed mental break and de-stressing session. Keeping your horse in work requires that you, yourself, regularly exercise and stay fit, whereas it’s otherwise easy for your activity level to decrease during college.

While no one wants to go without horses, owning a horse during college brings with it some challenges. Consider going to school without a horse for your first year; this can let you get a sense of what college life is like and whether you will be able to handle having a horse while you’re in school.

Photo source: http://www.ingimage.com/imagedetails/50311917_extInt0/ISS_4227_0220...

Original source: The Pros and Cons of Owning a Horse During College