How long to leave a new horse to settle?

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ForeverBroke_

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Quick post really, just wondered how much you have all left your new horses to settle before riding. What would you do for your first ride?


Obviously I suppose it depends upon the nature of the horse but just thought I'd see :D.
 
Mine settled quickly so I rode him on day 2! I figured the sooner I get on the quicker I will be able to get to know him, also wasnt travelled that far and he was bought from a competition home with different riders and if he was at a show he would have been gotten straight on and ridden :)
 
When I bought daughter's pony earlier this year I done ground work for a week or two just getting to know each other, daughter only got to feed him over the stable door or at the field gate. I led him out in hand to meet the traffic etc before she got to ride him. I know some people think that may be a bit ott but wanted to make sure pony was settled before introducing a very happy and excitable little lady
 
Lunged day after arrival, rode day after (didn't have a saddle before that).

Got him straight into a routine and he settled okay, was fab once I moved him into an inside stable (started off on stable looking out onto yard which he hated).
 
Would have given Kali the day off the day after we arrived (he had a long journey through the snow and ice and didn't arrive at yard until quite late in the day) and then worked him the following day but, due to aforementioned snow and ice, the most he got was 20 minutes turnout in the small outdoor school for a roll, a prance and a good look round. I think it was a good week and a half before the school was sufficiently thawed for us to use it . . . and another two weeks after that before we could turn any of the horses out!

With hindsight and experience I'd probably say that I'd try and keep to the routine the horse had been used to in his/her previous yard - at least to start with.

P
 
All the horses I have had are just backed, so I have ridden them the day I get them home.
Don't want them getting their feet under the table and storing up lots of energy for naughtiness ;).
 
I travelled my mare 4 hours on day 1 and then got her settled, i also choose to stick with her existing turnout (in at night / out in day) despite the rest of the yard being the other way round however it worked and she was happy i then hacked out with one other horse the next day bless she thought she was at a show and was a saint!!

It wasnt till week 2 she filled her boots and found herself then i had a week of a stress head she then quickly converted back to her affectionate donkey self!!

K x
 
Rode straight away although I did worm him and box him and looking back I think his sides were tender (probably had a worm burden that I hadnt realised so could argue riding hadnt been such a good idea).

I think sooner they get familiar with their surroundings(& thats hacking too) quicker they settle. I look at it as having an interesting time!

If you are not so confident just go out for 20 mins ie for a short ride but either way I think horses should be worked.Start as you mean to go on and they will get use to the routine.
 
It depends on the horse. Competition horses are usually ridden the day they arrive. I find they are so used to travelling that when they come to my place it's just like another venue and they are ready to keep working. Horses who have had time off, are broodmares or are whacky being out of their comfort zone I normally leave for a week or two until they have settled in properly.
 
First pony - hacked him to his new home from where I bought him. Rode him straight away. Second one: had him on a week's trial so had to ride him as much as poss and straight away! Third one: He arrived Sunday and I hacked out on Tuesday morning with a couple of others in a "normal" mad type ride with a few canters (eek!!) Fourth (and hopefully final) Horse: Have had him 4 weeks and haven't ridden him yet as have been traffic proofing him (he's very young, although broken - has come from a very quiet area with no traffic at all, so me, where there is lots!). Will be riding him for the first time on Thursday. Would have done it a bit sooner, but weather has been crap and want it to be an enjoyable experience for both of us!
 
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