How to get new horse to settle?

[Mlini]

I bought a horse and moved him on Saturday lunchtime..
He was fine all Saturday aft/night in his stable - He was alone (all the others are out at grass)

I went down this morning and fed him then turned him out at about 8am. He cantered around a little but nothing too crazy! Checked him at lunchtime and he was fine, seemed happy.

I brought him in at about 6pm (wanting to give him a brush and fit his new bridle) but when I tied him up he wouldn't stand still and was whinnying to the horses that were still out. I tried in his stable but he started box walking and whinnying louder! (he cant see the other horses from his stable) Getting more and more stressy by the minute!

So I lunged him for half an hour, which calmed him down. Then brushed him etc.

I just fed him & as leaving the yard could hear him whinnying again and see him popping his head in and out of the stable! - looking rather worried!!

I think it is because he is on his own in the stables (and cant see any horses) but didn't want to leave him out 24/7 because he is normally used to being out during the day and in at night..

How long do you think it will take for him to settle or should I just turn him out for longer so that he has company? Or has anyone any tips for settling him in?

 

[Peanot]

Hi, It really depends on your horses` personality. If he is usually settled, then it is just down to the fact that it is a new yard and he`s found new friends today and he`s out of his usual routine. He`s poss feeling a little insecure as he`s been moved yards and left all his friends and familiar surroundings, so his new friends are at the moment, his security blanket. I would leave him out as long as possible, near dark, and horses tend to relax easier when its dark.
If he is usually a relaxed sort, then it will only take a couple of days until he is in his new routine but if he is usually a stressy sort, then it will take a lot longer and I would suggest either getting something else to stay in with him for a couple of nights and see if this is better for him or leaving him out if your field is safe and secure and as long as he has company in the same field. I hope he settles soon as it is so stressing for us mere humans when our horses are stressing. (It is for me anyway)

 

[MiCsarah]

Mines awful when he moves yards. First 2 weeks can be awful! He's a very stressy boy and will worry about everything. I just have to set a routine and keep to it. He will start to settle

 

[skydancer]

hi,
I moved my horse to her new yard last sat and almost immediately it was like she had lived there for years. I am not telling you this to brag but to let you know your horse will settle. BUT, my horse will not stay in a stable on her own whatever yard she is at she will box walk and will be really bolshy and therefore i never leave her in a stable where she can not see other horses. She use to be in overnight and out during the day but at the new yard we have had to do it the other way round to keep her happy as there are horses in stables during the day. The other thing to remember is routine, routine and routine so she knows what to expect and wont get her knickers in a twist. Best of luck!

 

[Mlini]

He`s poss feeling a little insecure as he`s been moved yards and left all his friends and familiar surroundings, so his new friends are at the moment, his security blanket. QUOTE]

I thought that.. He's made friends with a lovely friesan mare and they were making a racket talking to each other across the yard! I didn't realise they would make friends so quickly (he is only 5 though and an exracer so wont be overly confident on his own!) Thanks for the advice

 

[janei]

Hi
Moved my horse to a new yard (finally!) 2 weeks ago today, he stressed really badly for the first 4 days sweating and generally stressed, he then settled for a couple of days but a new mare came on the yard, in season (he a bit riggy) which set him off again! He was awful this week, really badly behaved and bargy, knocked me over, legged it away from me coming in from field and forgot all manners! I borrowed a pressure halter and did some groundwork with him for a couple of days and then rode yesterday, today he seems to be back to his normal self! Like everyone else has said they all take different amounts of time, dont rush it, do some groundwork and keep it up regularly (I had lapsed a bit with mine and the move seemed to give him permission to push the boundaries) and get your routines established - he will be back to normal in no time!