Long thread, i need help! re new horse very stessy, settling in?

Ok. Take a deep breath. Hold. Release for twice as long as the inward breath. Repeat as necessary.

Lots of good advice on here and hopefully enough people saying its normal for you to feel better!

Firstly EVERY horse on our yard was behaving like a total tw*t yesterday. The wind was horrific, they were working each other up and generally getting in a tizz wozz. I was nearly flattened by a 22 year old who really should know better! Hovis spent the entire time either trying to use me as a wind break or trying to fit in my pocket :D

Your boy has just moved, he doesn't know you, he hasn't got new friends yet, he doesn't know his surroundings and its blowing a gale. If he WASN'T a bit upset I'd be more surprised.

So you have to manage the situation. Gloves, bridle or control head collar, lunge line so you can keep hold of him etc. Just a small tip - walk with a relaxed line. I find if the line is tense then so are they. I'm not talking about being able to skip with it just not holding it under his head so tightly your fingers ache!

Don't tie him up outside his stable (a personal HATE of mine!!) put him in the stable and give him his tea. If hes being jumpy he can't hurt you and he can't go anywhere. Ref his feet then thats something i would insist on. Not holding onto his leg while he flicks you around but repeating asking over and over until he realises he's not going anywhere until he does what you want.

Same ref the walking thing try circles or making him back up until again he realises that hes not going to get what he wants until he does what you want. Wear a hat, stand tall and be confident. He IS that lovely horse you went to see - hes just 60% scared and 40% trying it on!

Spend time with him in the field, in the stable - whatever works and then get on him when you feel able. Its your horse, your decision. There is no right or wrong to it - despite what livery yard "helpers" might tell you! Sid i got on straight away, Hovis i had to wait 2 weeks as i couldn't get a saddle. There was no difference in how either of them turned out / the relationship i have with them.

In a few weeks time you'll be telling us all about your lovely horse and all this will be a memory to smile ruefully over. Trust me!

And remember to breathe!
 
Please don't stick him in a chifney! You have only had him a couple of days!
He is behaving like any normal horse would, he doesn't know where he is, he doesn't know anyone, his routine is totally different, he has a new handler - NOTHING comforting or familiar at all!
I would leave him in his field for a few days (with company of course) if you can and he is used to that. Then go up there and feed him in his field with something tasty and non-heating. Talk to him gently, touch him calmly and give him a rub so he associates you with nice things. When you bring him in breathe slowly and deeply so he doesn't 'catch' your nerves! If he prats about and spins round, let him but keep moving in the right direction yourself. You need to almost ignore silly behaviour like that. Let him look at things that might be scary, showing him that there is nothing to be afraid of. I would give him a week of leading around, showing him round the yard etc before riding. Never shout, never raise your voice, never yank at him, just be calm and consistent.

Remember he is your first horse, you have all the time in the world to make your relationship a strong and trusting one. He needs to get to know you. OK if he is still being a bargy git after a couple of weeks then you need to be firmer with him. And make sure you feed him for the work he is getting, I made the mistake of feeding mine til he got fizzy when I first got him, and he WAS a nightmare for months and months!
 
Please don't stick him in a chifney! You have only had him a couple of days!
He is behaving like any normal horse would, he doesn't know where he is, he doesn't know anyone, his routine is totally different, he has a new handler - NOTHING comforting or familiar at all!
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Missed that in the thread. I completely agree. But if you do feel you need a little more control no harm in using a bridle (take the nose band off) and use reins not lead rope.
 
amymay said:
Missed that in the thread. I completely agree. But if you do feel you need a little more control no harm in using a bridle (take the nose band off) and use reins not lead rope.
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A bridle may help you feel a little bit more in control! Or try a pressure halter if just to give you a bit more control as he is a big horse.

I agree though it is early days - he needs to learn to trust you. Have you spoken to his old owner? Has he been like this before?
 
My new boy - the calmest most chilled horsey in the whole world despite only being 6 - recently got moved yards, he was exactly like yours! It was just bizarre I couldnt work it out. We just stuck him out in the field for two days, just kept an eye on him but simply let him get on with it and observe everything. When I brought him in with the intention of a ride he wouldnt stand still, everything was super scary hopping all over the place. I decided to plop him back out in the field, and the next day tacked up etc in his box with a yummy haynet, then stuck on a lungeline and walked him round the whole yard. By this point he had seen most of it from his field, but still wanted him to get an eyeful so he had no excuses. A 20 minute lunge to take out the freshness and he was fine :)

I would suggest just leave him in the field for a few days to chill and absorb everything. Maybe go out and give him a bit of feed so he gets to know who you are. After a few days, decide enough is enough and be firm. Its like children moving to a new house, everything is super exciting, but there comes a point where you need sleep! If after a week of a set routine he is still acting up, may be time to get in contact with past owners.

Good luck xxx
 
I have just moved my mare to a new yard and she has been a bit stressed spooking screaming at the top of her lungs barging just being a total prat. I know she will be better in a few weeks but it is just so hard to watch them like it. Hang in there it will get better :)
 
I would say it is normal especially if he is used to being out 24/7 being in for 48 in a strange place on his where he is trapped is likely to worry him.

He will also have more energy having stayed in than he would if he had had turnout.

He is in a new place and if you are nervous handing him he can pick up that too, he needs reassurance from you and you need to be the "leader" so he feels someone is in charge and confident. Is there a confident person who could help you leading him?

If you want to bring him out of the field could you arrange to take him out at the same time as another horse so he is following the horse past the things that he is worried about and can get confidence from them?
 
Thankyou for all the replies everyone, have read them all and majority are very helpful indeed, and also very reassuring that it is normal and that he isn't some psycho horse ;)

ANYWAY thought i'd let you all know that today he was MUCH more relaxed and chilled today - yesterday I just left him in the field completely to chill out, apart from putting on his rug & giving him his feed out there, and I think that may have helped. He wasn't scared of the others today at all :)

Also i'm not tying him up by the stables any more (which means he has his back to the horses & paddock) - instead got the idea from another livery to put a bit of string and tie him to the fencing facing the paddocks - when he could see the others he was much calmer, a different horse :D He saw the farrier and has a new set of shoes, then I lunged him, he was really relaxed and happy so jumped on and did a bit of schooling in the paddock - he was lovely and chilled! Didn't spook! :) :) quick hack up the road to the proper school, went in there, did a little schooling, he was great :) so I think the lovely horse I tried and bought is still in there :p

I'm feeding him pink powder and I think he's looking better already (although that might just be me :rolleyes: ) Thanks for all the advice, i am over the moon right now :) xx
 
Congratulations on your new horse!

It is totally normal for a horse to behave like this when it changes home and it is a shame that you had to keep him in for 24 hours as turning him out straight away would have been far easier for all concerned.

Get yourself a dually headcollar and make sure you put up some handling boundaries with him and stick to them!
 
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