Help - tips on how to settle a horse when moving yards...

[cyberhorse]

Well I am finally moving my horses closer to home as the hour and a half round trip for the past seven years has worn us out. Work now means I can't get as much time with them so the long drive has to go. The problem I have is one horse has been on that yard 10yrs, the other 5yrs and I have never kept a horse anywhere else (over 20yrs there). To say I am worried is probably an understatement right now, I feel fairly guilty about making them move when they are settled and happy. Also slightly concerned that one of mine has a "king of the field" attitude and has never yet been challenged - possible issue when he is now the one that is the stranger. My current YM is being great and has reassured me that as they go out competing and the highly strung beast has stayed away from home frequently as a youngster, they should adapt fine. My new YO has sorted the boys boxes next to each other, to help them be in sight and touch of each other. I am however looking for general tips when settling them and a few opinions on the following:

Change in grazing - one of the horses will colic if given more than half a day out in spring (after being hand grazed for 2 weeks). The new yard has a lot more lush grass left than the field he is currently in. Should I start with the same time restricted regime we use in spring? Or could this make stress worse as stabled more?

Change in haylage - would it help to buy some of the new haylage to feed at the existing yard before we go (as it seems richer) or is this not significant enough to bother?

Turnout - they are on 12/24 at the current yard. The new yard can do 24/24 or whatever I would like. Should I stay on 12/24 and just stick to the routine as they adapt to the new place for the rest of this autumn or for a few weeks?

I also do know that I need to try to stop worring as the sensitive creature picks up off me, he knew I was stressed before handing our notice in as I was getting the superlick treatment...usually only reserved for when I am ill or upset!!

 

[RubysGold]

Oh God! An hour and a half round trip, I don't know how you've coped so long!

You might be best posting this in the tack room (think that's what it's called now) where more people will see it

I personally would just try to keep everything as close to normal routine as possible. And then make any changes I want after a week or so.

You are worried now (as I have been when moving yards in the past) but when you walk into the new yard, and meet a person or two you will just suddenly feel a lot more relaxed.

I can't answer your other questions but good luck I hope the move goes well, when do you move?

 

[cyberhorse]

Thanks for the reply. We are trying to keep the routine as similar as possible (just need to bear in mind the grazing change). The new yard are very flexible with the routine so that should help us. We move on 28th Sept, so have thankfully have time to plan things out.