Giving horse a holiday/break- take him somewhere else? Experiences please!

[Cash]

Hiya
I'm giving my TB several weeks off soon, as everything seems to be getting 'bit much' for him (competitions etc) mentally- but that's a whole long story/explanation lol which I won't get into now. I have exams coming up too, meaning I'm stressed and lacking time, which probably doesn't help his state of mind.
I'm currently considering moving him to my village for his 'holiday', to a paddock where he can be out 24/7 (at my yard they have to come in at night) with other horses very nearby, but without the hustle and bustle of a livery yard, so he can really chill for a few weeks.
I've been 'letting him down' for the last week or so but he doesn't seem to be relaxing, if anything he is getting more stressed- he's always been a bit of a worrier but since this week or so he has become more of a stresshead, more easily upset by noise and commotion etc (there are a couple of smallish kids on yard) and doesn't seem to settle as easily when turned out, and as soon as the first horse is brought in he starts pacing.
So I'm starting to think a holiday in the village might be quite good for him- to have some fairly placid companions in surrounding fields, and a routine that although will still be regular (I know routine is important) won't be so rigid and reliant on other members of the yard I'm at!
Plus, the hacking around this area is a lot quieter and safer, so we can go for gentle mooches along bridlepaths at the weekends, rather than having to do roadwork along busy roads and over motorway bridges.

HOWEVER. I obviously do not want to stress him out more than necessary, and don't know whether removing him from a familiar environment would make him more worried and upset. He is an ex racehorse and moved around a lot when he was younger (although he probably doesn't remember!) and he's stayed overnight at a friend's before without any problems- however he was stabled then, and one night is different to several weeks I know. The journey shouldn't be any problem either, he travels well and journey is v short.

So I'm not sure, parlty think this would be good for him to have a few weeks in a quiet, relaxed environment, really close to my house so I can check on him frequently, but like I say not sure a change of environment wouldn't do more harm than good.
Any opinions/experience welcomed.
Thanks

 

[anna22]

The quieter life may suit him, it did my ex-racer...he'd always been on a big yard, stabled regularly and different owners, all who had LOTS of problems with him. But he came to me for a quieter life, lives out 24/7 with one other horse and he is a dream.
No biting, barging or bolshy behaviour. The only problem I could see is the fact that after a few weeks you'd move him back to the yard again... if he'd settled well in the field it would be a shame to upset him by moving him again. Maybe think about a permenant move there?

 

[Cash]

The only problem I can see is the fact that after a few weeks you'd move him back to the yard again... if he'd settled well in the field it would be a shame to upset him by moving him again. Maybe think about a permenant move there?

Yes, that's one of the things I'm concerned about, don't want him really confused and upset.
Unfortunately a permanant move is not an option- I really like my yard, several people my age to hack out with and swap favours with, and it has good facilities which the field wouldn't- eg stable, place to keep trailer- plus it's got a floodlit school and jumps which I really need in winter (one of the main reasons I'm there) as I have to ride after school.

 

[Dubsie]

Can you give him a couple of days of trial run - take him or hack to the field to turn out for a bit to eat the grass then bring him back to yard - to see how he gets on?

 

[ExpressPrincess]

I’m a student nurse and due to a very complex shift rota recently my mare has had an unintentional 3 week holiday. I have ridden once in that time and although she was a bit fresh she was fine. She is turned out 24/7 on really good grass with one companion and 3 horses in the field next to them. She has one feed a day (simple systems) and a quick groom and fly spray and no rugs. She could not look better - her condition is amazing her coat is gleaming and it’s the best she has looked ever. I’m planning on starting to work her again properly this week and i think it will have worked out really well for me and her. Looking forward to a few shows in the summer now Good luck with your boy whatever you decide.