Advice for moving horse to own premises?

[palominofiend]

My family might have gotten a farm its not 100% solidified, our offer got accepted and we’ve done a deposit and have got our house valued so im pretty optimistic! We hopefully (fingers crossed) will be moving in in late june so tons of time but its so anxiety inducing. I only have 1 horse but yard is currently a livery yard so there is a herd but her stable block is separated and the previous owners said the liveries aren’t up much in summer so concerned she won’t have a stable buddy. She’s a bit of a worrier but currently i think it’s a good idea to just wait it out, see how she is, settle in and then think of getting another mare. I’ve been trying my hardest to not look for new ones but its so difficult and i saw one i really liked but its way too early!!!? The yard doesn’t need any work done really neither does the house which takes a lot of stress off but we will need to buy a tractor and horse box and stuff and obviously if we get a second horse it’ll be tack, rugs more rugs and more rugs holy shit. It is stressful right now but i know it will pay off and take off the stress of travelling to and fro and not being able to check on her all the time, i’m also planning on taking a fresher horse on and having it on my premises will make it so much easier to administer a bond and spend more time with it!!! fun! ehhehe

 

[windand rain]

Horses need constant company, food, water and proper routine care eg teeth, feet, jabs etc a second horse doesn't need to be ridden but does need to be happy left while you ride

 

[cauda equina]

Or get a second, and a third!
I'd be talking to charities now, rather than leaving it until you move in. If you get hardy types they won't need rugs

 

[Polos Mum]

Moving in and finding your horse won't be on her own / jumps out / gets colic from running up and down screaming will really add to your stress.

Settled in a current yard when the next door horses are out of sight for a few hours in the day is totally different from her coming off a lorry in a strange place and being kept on her own.

Don't buy any kit until you've been there several months and know what you really need - you definitely don't NEED a tractor and box just because its your own place.
I really would get a second horse for company - even if charities are tricky because they can't home check until you've moved in (maybe ask current owners if they would allow it)

 

[Trouper]

Can you afford to pick up a second horse now and keep it at livery with yours so that they are companions before the move? Agree the charities are a good way to get the right horse as a companion for yours.

 

[Melandmary]

Make sure the companion horse is 100% proven to be happy left alone while you ride. The companion I got when I moved wasn't as described and caused me months of stress, I have been unable to ride. I had to get a 3rd ?

 

[palominofiend]

Can you afford to pick up a second horse now and keep it at livery with yours so that they are companions before the move? Agree the charities are a good way to get the right horse as a companion for yours.

if it’s last resort we are thinking of asking to buy a horse at our current yard that gets on well with mine. The owner has no time for her and we’ve basically been fostering her, feeding and shedding her and taking rugs off and putting her out.

 

[Melandmary]

Does said horse get left completely alone and how do they cope with that? That is the priority in my opinion. It doesn't matter how well they get on if they will panic when your horse is out of sight. You could work this out before you buy her/loan her

 

[palominofiend]

Moving in and finding your horse won't be on her own / jumps out / gets colic from running up and down screaming will really add to your stress.

Settled in a current yard when the next door horses are out of sight for a few hours in the day is totally different from her coming off a lorry in a strange place and being kept on her own.

Don't buy any kit until you've been there several months and know what you really need - you definitely don't NEED a tractor and box just because its your own place.
I really would get a second horse for company - even if charities are tricky because they can't home check until you've moved in (maybe ask current owners if they would allow it)

ok thx, we wont really start looking for a new horse until like may because if it fell through it’d be unfair for everyone involved. She will be out in a herd and we could arrange with one of the liveries to move next to her stable and for me to bring them in for a short period, but it would be much easier if it were my own. I live in scotland and idk if its just because ive not been doing enough research but i can’t find alot of places close, but there is a place just down the road but idk if they have any available for rehoming

 

[palominofiend]

Does said horse get left completely alone and how do they cope with that? That is the priority in my opinion. It doesn't matter how well they get on if they will panic when your horse is out of sight. You could work this out before you buy her/loan her

She gets panicky if its in the arena but shes fine in her stable and if its in the field theres a herd of 6 livery horses, the owner also has a gelding pony and the idea is we’d get both probably because they’ve been with eachother for like 10 years

 

[palominofiend]

Can you afford to pick up a second horse now and keep it at livery with yours so that they are companions before the move? Agree the charities are a good way to get the right horse as a companion for yours.

Honestly i saw a really nice broodmare for sale and was considering doing this but it’s too early and we’re still getting finances together. I also have exams and stuff so wouldn’t have time to settle in a new horse as well as take care of mine right this minute, june is when the exams sort of stop so possibly could get one a couple of weeks before but my dad isn’t a fan of that idea so idk

 

[TPO]

OP are you in the UK? Are you a child (under 18)?

If your parents are buying a farm with liveries in situ that apparently do not visit their horses are you/your parents in a position to offer full livery care to these horses?

Have you looked into the insurance costs of having liveries? A business will also need to be set up and accounts for business monies received etc

Looking for a "fresher" horse to "bond" with is a recipe for disaster. Better to find a good trainer and be advised on purchasing something that matches your current skill and experience level

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Tbh if your family house needs to be sold before you move into the farm, you will be lucky to get there by June. Is there a reason why your horse can't live with the liveries?

 

[palominofiend]

OP are you in the UK? Are you a child (under 18)?

If your parents are buying a farm with liveries in situ that apparently do not visit their horses are you/your parents in a position to offer full livery care to these horses?

Have you looked into the insurance costs of having liveries? A business will also need to be set up and accounts for business monies received etc

Looking for a "fresher" horse to "bond" with is a recipe for disaster. Better to find a good trainer and be advised on purchasing something that matches your current skill and experience level

they do visit their horses its just quieter in summer as they are out full time, i didnt mean it quite literally. Don’t worry my parents are well aware of everything and are able to do stuff like that. I didnt mean it like that my own horse i worked with and have brought her on considerably but feel like it would be easier to bring a horse on if i had it on my premises and had more time/the means. I have a trainer who we have already asked to help find us a horse and can help advise us. Obviously im not going to write everything as it’s not needed so don’t you worry

 

[palominofiend]

Tbh if your family house needs to be sold before you move into the farm, you will be lucky to get there by June. Is there a reason why your horse can't live with the liveries?

My brother is staying at our house and is going to do it up before selling so we will have both houses for a bit. my horse can live with the liveries just obviously in the summer they will be out and she might be in by herself for a little, if a space comes up in their stable block i would think about moving mine in there for a bit so she can be around the other horses when they’re in to get ridden etc. The liveries have their own stable block shed thing and the previous owner used an outside stable block.