How Long To Settle?

TheresaW

TheresaW

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I moved one of my horses to a new yard yesterday and he really freaked out. He was rearing in the stable, drenched in sweat, lungeing at the door. Turned him out for a while as I was worried he was going to do himself some harm in the stable, and he calmed down a bit. (Had to use a chiffney to get him to the field, never used one on him before). After I brought him back in, he was a bit quieter in the stable, was walking round in circles a lot and kicking the door, but the rearing had stopped. Anyway, I went away for a couple of hours and left him alone, and when I went back was told that apart from the door kicking, he had been pretty quiet. He seemed quite pleased to see me, but became a bit bolshier when I got there. Gave him hay and night feed and left him for the night. I haven't had a call this morning, so am guessing that he is ok and am going up to see him and turn him out at lunchtime. He has completely surprised me as he is usually so laid back and I had none of this when I bought him. I am just worried he could do himself an injury.

Any ideas on how to make things a bit easier for him would be most welcome.
 
my foal took a while to settle at new yard, we put up some netting so he couldnt jump out and hes brill now, my usually calm gelding (3 y o) had been at old yard since being weaned and moving to new yard freaked him out a little but settled in about 2 weeks, just be calm, food always helps.
 
Will probably calm significantly within 24hrs, but can take a couple of weeks to get really settled. I believe in keeping the routine as normal as possible. Maybe give him a Swede or stable toy to keep him occupied when he is in.
 
Normally it will only take 24 hours or so to settle at a new place. Some horses may take a little longer. They are 'fright & flight' animals & when things change around them they will become nervous & be on their toes. It appears that your horse took the change badly initially but friom what you are saying within the 24 hour period he has calmed down alot. I expect when you see him today he'll wonder what you're fussing around for.
 
It can take some horses quite a while to settle into new surroundings, especially if they have been separated from their friends. Stick to a routine, make sure he has plenty of food/hay to keep him occupied and be patient
smile.gif
 
There are always exceptions - my chap is now beginning to settle after 2 months! Like Theresa's chap he was previously quiet and very sweet but had become very established at his prevoius home.
 
i would leave him for at least a week but if he is still very frightened the allow another week. After a week or so then just start by walking him around on a leadrope in the field or arena and the gradually work up to the lunge and then you could try riding him or mabye take him out for a relaxing hack to start. Is he a hiper chap??? or is he a settled type?? if he is a hiper chappy then he may take alot longer like 'catherineskinner' has sead about her chappy! i have a pony he is 14.2 and is an showjumper but we think he has been over faced and is very wappy but he is starting to settle with ALOT of flatwork!!but he is starting to settle now but it all depends the temperment of your horse!!
xxxx hope this helps xxxx
 
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