Advice on moving yards 3 months post colic surgery

[L00bey]

Hi some of you may know my boy had colic surgery about am month and a half ago, he is doing really well so far and looks great but he is actually on loan (has been for the past 2 years) to a fantastic family who have looked after him every step, I cannot thank them enough. Sadly as the girl who rides him is off to uni in september he will be coming back home to me, to a big yard on full livery as there is no way with me being in my final year at uni or my mum and dad that he could be at home on DIY.
I'm obviously really nervous about the move, the stress and diet changes that will be unavoidable and was wondering if anyone could offer any advice or guidance on how I should approach this. Thanks

 

[be positive]

Many years ago I had a horse that had colic surgery, closely followed by another with an open splint fracture that also had surgery, both were moved while still on restricted turnout/ in hand exercise, the joys of renting

As far as I can remember everything went well, I took some bales of hay and their usual feed with me, as well as all the rest of the equipment and other horses, two longish journeys the same day.
It probably helped that I could keep to the same routine even in a new place, the colic horse was fine, he settled and made a full recovery, coming back into work soon after he moved, moving again 6 months later he went back to full competing, not at a high level but he never was anyway, he was pts about 12 years afterwards and is buried here under a tree.

With your horse I would arrange to take at least one bale of hay and get the same hard feed, insist that the yard make a gradual change to their hay while feeding the hay you take, the same with any feed, routine should be good if he is on full livery so that side of things should be ok.
You will probably be more stressed than him, most horses that have moved around a bit will settle quickly in the right environment, if they have an isolation period make sure he is still getting routine and time grazing even if you have to do some of it in hand.

 

[annaellie]

I moved my mare about 5-6 months after colic surgery, the reason I moved was because my big boy who I bought off the yard and had behavioural problems was being hit over the stable door . They were also sending the children helpers in to feed him on weekends and holidays, i spoke to my vet as I couldn't leave him at the yard. Vet advised as poster above take few bales of hay and mix it in with new yards hay, she would be on same feed so no issues there. She also had the advantage of moving with my boy so I think that helped. She done fine no problems moving and settled in. As you said your horse will have the same routine which will help

 

[L00bey]

Great thanks hadn't even thought about bringing some of his hay with me will definitely do that and use same feed, hopefully it wont be too much of a shock as he has been on this yard before. Fingers crossed but ye I think you're right I'll probably be more stressed!