Am I being silly

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SALLYT

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My new horse arrived Tuesday afternoon did nothing with him that night, last night attempted to lunge him he wasn't silly just didn't really know what to do, so lessons for both of us on the cards lunging wise.

When I finished playing with him last night I just happened to mention that tomorrow (tonight ) i was just going to get on him and not bother with lunging before hand . Gasps of horror and comments like your being silly you must lunge before you get on he's new not really been in the school and you don't know what he's going to do.

Now yes he's new but I have to get on him sometime soon and I tried him a couple of times and he was fine, obviously the first time the vendor rode him first, the second time I just got on him. I will ride him in the school with all the gates closed but whereas before these comments i was looking forward to riding him, now I'm having doubts.
I'm only going to walk and trot so he can get used to the signage we have in the school as he's only 5 and very green.

What would you do in this situation?
 
TBH I would leave any new horse for at least a week before doing anything with him. They need time to settle in and get used to their new surroundings. Some take longer than others and some settle almost immediately.

But if it were me, I'd leave him a little longer. Hope you're enjoying having your new horse. Got any pics?
 
If he is five and has been in work for a year, I'd get on him and ride on day one. If a horse has been in regular work, I would not give it a week off. Esp if turnout is restricted due to new arraival 'quarentine' .

Have someone sensible there, and perhaps ride in the school with another horse, a sensible one who woudl give a lead if need be.

After all, we take a horse to a competition, clinic or evena green one to lessons, unbox and take it into a strange school or field within half an hour of arrival., and also epect a judge or insrtructor to get on and ride him.
 
Thanks saskia295 he does seem quite settled but understand what you are saying. Photo session tonight because I forgot last night
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will be interesting to see the change in him over the next few months because he really lacks any muscle and needs fattening up.
Will try to post some of him over the weekend because he is very pretty but then I'm biased.
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Gasps of horror and comments like your being silly you must lunge before you get on he's new not really been in the school and you don't know what he's going to do.

[/ QUOTE ]
Assume this was fellow liveries, not your YO or instructor?
 
Tbh, I would get on with it! Horses dont think like us, they dont know theyve had a "day off" etc, the more normal you can keep his routine the better.
 
I'd be getting on and riding to! Usually I'll give them a day but then they have a long boat journey to get to me, but then its straight off as I mean to contuinue
 
LCobby, this was from a livery and YO, my instructor I feel would say get on and ride even for a short time. I did take him for a walk round the school and he was fine albeit a bit wide eyed at the large posters/signs we have in there but nothing OTT.

He has unlimited turnout as he needs condition and weight on in the quarantine paddock. I am just going to get on tonight and see what happens will just take things slowly as he really does need his teeth doing.
 
I rode my horse the day he came before you think I am mean he only travelled 30 mins, I wanted him to get used to everything so got on with it, never had any problems.
 
Your instructor knows you and your ability.

Can you book a lesson with instructor a soon as he's had dental done?
Or even before, just to give you the confidence boost you need with him.
 
Get on and ride him!
My new horse arrived sunday morning, sister rode him Monday, I rode him Tuesday, and sister rode again last night. He has settled really well though. I just think 'start as you mean to go on' and get them used to your routine asap.
If the horse is fit and you leave him for a week, the first time you get on isn't likely to be 'smooth'
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I am not really worried about riding him, he felt so very nice when I tried him the lady who was selling him only had him a couple of weeks, came over from Ireland and I do know her so the enviroment there was new to him.

Yes I am having lessons on him as soon as I can, probably start next Tuesday if she can fit me in.

Just need to find a good EDT, does anyone one know who to avoid in the Derbyshire area. I know Annie Rennie is good but booked up so she's out for the short term.
 
I rode my new horse the day after she arrived and took her out for a hack. It gives them their bearings and I think settles them in better. It also makes you feel better as you have done something positive.
 
You are all right, I have tacked him up , groomed the pants of him generally "played" with him. Introduced him to the hosepipe and washed all his legs down, all that's left to do is get on him and then I'll feel happier.

The downside is my saddles don't fit him as I would like, so I need to find a new saddle and get a decent saddler up, but past experiences from the last 6 months have left a very bitter taste in my mouth so unsure who to get up.
So I have plenty to sort out for him asap.
 
If I were you I'd just get on with it! I rode my just turned 4-yo a couple of days after he arrived, didn't lunge him first. Had no problems. I dont' see why you need to give a horse time to "settle in" - we expect them to get on and deal with things when hacking/competing, so I think I would rather follow this through with all aspects of their life.

As to whether you lunge first - entirely up to you and your confidence. If he's fresh and full of beans maybe you'd want to get some beans out first, otherwise for me, I'd prefer not to scare myself seeing the horse turn itself inside out on the lunge!!
 
Last time we bought a horse:

Gave a deposit on saturday
paid and collected sunday
Fab days hunting on monday

but he was a fit 7 year old who was hunting once a week anyway
 
Agree with the others, just jump on! IME lunging before you ride tends to wind them up if they don't understand what they are doing anyway.
 
Even I would get on! I'm a bit nervous, but even I rode George on the 3rd day without lunging first! Just made sure gates were shut and that there was someone with me.

Have fun!
 
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