How soon do you ride your new horse?

Blizzard

Blizzard

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Ive just bought a new horse as some of you know, anyway I always give my horses a week to settle in before riding them, but some people seem to think its best to get straight on with it and ride the same or next day, just wondering what everyones personal opinions are?

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I was thinking about this the other day. I usually give them 2/3 days depending how the horse is, how well it is settling etc.
But if you took your horse to a comp that you stay over night at, you would ride it that day and the next so I can see why some ride then the same day.
 
I'd be interested to see the replies to this one. I'm sure as soon as we find the 'perfect' pony my eldest will be wanting to go out for a hack.

I would err on the side of caution. Leave it for a few days and see how the horse settles in. I plan to take him/her out a few times in-hand first so they can see the sights and smells, then after about a week let the kids ride.
 
when i got mine i was going on holiday the day after so we put him out for 10days and let him chill and get setteled in! then got on him when we got back and he was fine
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A girl on our yard got on hers the day she brought it, what a mistake, it put her in a ditch then into a wall then over a gate! lol

He is happy as larry now though! lol
 
I waited a couple of days with this horse but really depends on how the horse seems to settle in. I just tried to match her previous routine as much as possible to ease her into the new environment.
 
Thinking about it, it would depend, of course, on the horses history. If it was a youngster I would take it more slowly. But the horse I had on loan was a 17 year old bombproof girl who was fazed by nothing. I think I rode her after a couple of days. Told her who wore the trousers before she got too settled.
 
I knew what condition the horse was in. It didn't have a fixed exercise regime, and was in good but soft condition so needed building up slowly.
 
It all depends on how quickly the horse settles into his/her new environment. I usually leave it 5-7 days and then just go for a short hack to show them the new sights. As your new horse isn't very fit (been turned out for a while if I remember?), this will probably suit him! Have fun
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I'd definately give it a day off, it annoys me when people ride it the day its delievered and then moan a week later that they have problems with it!

When I sold dotty she stood for 7hours on the trailer, it was the first time she'd left her brother since being born and although reasonably settled within half an hour it was all a big stress, she'd gone from living at home (with a few others) to being stabled on a very busy livery yard, the new owners were asked to give her the following day off and just give her a stretch in the school or field in hand/loose yet they rode her and even jumped her. Ooooh some people annoy me, I know its exciting but atleast think of the horse.
 
I would ride them as soon as they got off the trailer - get them into a new routine, give them something to do - I would say it helps settle them as it is familiar.
 
Until the horse seems settle and relaxed. For one horse it might be a few hours for another maybe a couple of days. I think it tend to vary depending on the animal.
 
Unless it was a youngster I'd only give it a day or two before riding. IMO too much time to settle in before getting into the riding routine could cause problems when horse realises he's not actually on holiday! As has been said before, I'd also try and keep to the riding routine of the previous owner for the first week or so.
 
From what you've said of your new chap he's a pretty unflappable relaxed sort so I'd guess you wouldn't have to wait long. Also, he's coming straight from the field (I think?) so I guess you're only talking about a gentle walk about anyway - nothing to tax him.

Bet you will be too excited to wait a whole week!
 
I would ride the day it arrives if it has not had a very long journey, to stressed out or not in the best condition. You will get to ride it in a completly new environment, if you haven't already done so. I would also say with some horses it may help them settle in. When i bought my boy i rode him home, so i rode him the day i bought him and he settled in very well. I woudl't want to leave it longer than a few days, I would start as i mean to go on!
 
I think it depends on what sort of horse you are buying. When i bought Alfie, he was 6 and i had bought him to compete on therefore i rode him as soon as i got him home. I don't think it is that unreasonable to ride a horse the same or next day if it is an experienced/pot. competition horse and providing it has not travelled a long distance. If it is a young horse or inexperienced i would probably give it a couple of days off but no longer before i started riding it.
 
Day after they arrive. If on a livery yard I would imagine they will be stabled the first few days at least to allow for a quarantine period/worming so riding gets them out of the stable and into a routine
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Never had to do this, but other new horses on the yard have to be wormed on the first night and in for two days...but they are usually ridden round the estate the next day, or in the school, with anything "dropped" picked up afterwards.
 
I took my girl out on a hack with her field mates to-be about an hour after arrival. She was used to being ridden at competitions, so it was nothing different for her (apart from the change in rider!) and it gave the horses a chance to get aquainted whilst under control.
 
I'd say about 5-7 days just to let them get used to everything; there is no rush.

Viento had about 3 weeks of "getting used to things" but that was partly because I had exams, partly because he had come from Spain.
 
i think it depends on the horse and it's age/temperament, my new horse i got in August i lightly lunged the next day, the lady i bought her from advised this aswell, as being a young horse (had only been ridden 3 weeks but 5 years old) she should do a little evryday otherwise when i got on her a week later she'd be crazy!!! I then hacked her for a few weeks to start getting her fit.
 
Got on chloe the first day and we just walked around for 10 mins and chilled in the school, just let her look around etc.... It all depends on the type of horse - she actually took a while to settle into the routine, i.e doorbanging, but riding helped her as it meant she was kept busy and out of her stable!! If the horse is in poor condition or something or is a nervous wreck then would let him/her settle first
 
I would wait for as long as it would take for him to settle.

Maybe lead him around the yard in hand each day and just spend time with him grooming etc until he seems settled.
 
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