How Long To Adjust?

[TheresaW]

I have taken the decision to put my horse on grass livery after he has been diagnosed with arthritis in both hocks. He went out Monday evening for the first time. I was a bit worried about him, but checked on him before work yesterday morning on my way to work and he seemed fine.

Anyway, he was brought in yesterday lunchtime about 11ish for his lunch and out of the heat of the afternoon, and he spent the whole afternoon sound asleep in his stable. I was going to ride him last night as well, but we got into the forest 5 mins down the road, and I decided to cut the ride short because I could tell he was absolutely exhausted. My guess is that he spent the whole of the night just mooching about and didn't get any sleep.

Does anyone know how long it will take him to adjust to sleeping whilst in the field? He was quite happy to go back out last night, and I am hoping that he was so tired that he had no choice but to sleep. Will bring him in again when I go up at lunchtime and see how he is.

 

[rema]

I think it will take him a day or two get get himself sorted out.it is amazing how tired they get when they are out 24/7 for the first time.You will probably go up one day and find him out sparko on the floor snooring his head off!..

 

[fairhill]

Megan takes about a week to adjust, but a lot of that is due to the copious amounts of grass she scoffs to begin with.
Now when I go up early at the weekends she's often flat out on the grass snoring, and she's as full of energy to ride as before she went out 24/7.