advice please- helpin an older horse settle

[ellis9905]

So my new loan horse is coming home on monday!! hes fab in everyway, just what im looking for, the only concern i have for him is he's very attached to his field mates- he's 22 yrs old, the owner has had him 18 yrs. hes lived with one horse 9 yrs and another 4 yrs ( they've been on several different yards over the years but always together)

Any tips to help him settle at our yard??

thanks

 

[katie_southwest]

I have a 30 year old on loan (sort of a permanent loan/retirement home for him )
When he came he had issues anyway , lice/underweight/ etc etc and he was very withdrawn.
The main thing I found is that he just needed time, I didnt fuss with him I just left him to it and did the basics of what he needed doing, and within a few weeks he was happy as larry and now his little ears prick up whenever he sees me coming
He had been in his old home for 20/25 years , unfortunately he wasnt being looked after as an old pony should of been, he got used to his new companion at his own pace but now follows her around everywhere

 

[The Boy]

Mine was 19 when he arrived and is now the same age as your new boy. Despite exhibiting that he has gained some wisdom now he more in his 'mature' years, he likes to remind me he is NOT an doddery old man at every opportunity

He settled in pretty quickly but I think its good to establish a routine quickly to help bond with you as well as the other horses, even just the simple daily jobs like checking over, picking out feet etc.
What breed/size is he?

Good luck, hope it goes well!

 

[Shysmum]

Bach Flower Remedy "Walnut" is excellent for this - you could put some drops on a handful of chaff three or four times a day. No idea why it works, but it claims it's "for times of change and needing reassurance", and when I was in the RSPCA, I used it a lot ( along with rescue remedy).

Hope that helps - keep us updated x

 

[ellis9905]

thanks for the advice so far, he's a 14.2hh m/w cob. Our yard is fairly small and very settled and routined, so hoping this will work in his and my favour.

i wonder if i "humanise" the thought too much, he's about to loose, his owner, his friends and his home- hes had his owner 18 yrs, his friends 4 yrs and 9 yrs, and his home.

will look into the walnut bach flower remedy.

 

[kiagirl]

I moved my old boy at 25, he had been at his previous yard for 15 years. I put him out on his own but next to the others so that they could get to know him without chasing him round as they were all a lot younger than him. He was on his own for about 2 weeks and went out with the others full time with no probs at all but he has always been a bit of a loner. I def think we worry too much, but then it wouldn't be as much fun would it.