How long to settle on a new yard.

[debsflo]

I know this may be how long is a piece of string but moved my 5 yr old to a new yard at the weekend. She is a bit more on her toes and obviously everything is new to her and different routine. She is eating well and has laid down at night is fairly settled in the field and hacked out the next day. Tomorrow we plan to take her in the school but I'm keen to make sure I don't overload her with too many new experiences. We had a slight issue transporting her as I hadn't predicted her travelling in a different box on her own. How slowly should I take things or just crack on and get on with it and is it weeks or months to settle properly.?

 

[be positive]

They are all different but in my experience they settle best if you crack on and don't overthink it, obviously don't expect perfection but if you plan on them competing in the future they must learn to accept going to new places and getting on with work so being in a new home/ yard is all part of the learning curve, allowing weeks to settle will not bode well when you go to a competition at a new venue, you can make allowances and take things step by step but don't treat them like babies most respond better to a firm leader.

 

[pippixox]

I think to truly settle it it can take a month or 2. But there is no harm in starting ridden work like they are used to within days of arrival

 

[Orson Cart]

Start your routine as you mean to go on. My boy settles relatively quickly in terms of not being a complete Pratt but I would say it generally takes him six months to become his usual totally chilled self again.

 

[Nay]

I was once told for a horse to truly settle and get used to the surroundings, the people, other horses, sights, smells, so on and so on, can take up to a year. This rings true for my boy who I bought in September 2015. He really tested me, rearing up when leading him, randomly spinning while hacking, bucking on the moor, and generally being a stress head! I'd say in the last 4 months, he's settled and is back to being the laid back chilled out horse I viewed when I first went to try him out! Carry on with what you want to do, little and often. They have to get out and do things to take it all in, I'm sure she will be fine. Good luck 😊