Mild sedation for 18mnth old to move to new yard?

daisydoo

daisydoo

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I desperately want to move my filly to the farm next door (only a short walk) as she'll have acres of field and company 24/7 which she doesn't have at the moment. Now I'm worried this will blow her mind, can I get the vet to prescribe a sedative to take the edge off? Also is it best to introduce her to her stable and let her munch some hay for a bit or turn straight out? She'll be in an adjoining field for a while to help her settle.
 
How well handled is she? I take my 18mo out for walks all over the place and her head hasn't exploded yet but of course, each is different.

Does she trust you? If so then most youngsters aren't a problem. When I worked at a stud we had to walk them half a mile when moving fields. Even the colts were ok. It just depends very much on the handler more than anything.

We have always just let them off as no stable and no problem but it depends on what you think is best for her.
 
Sedation would be the last thing I would want to do. Treat like any other day.....walk her over, pop her in the box, and let her settle overnight. Turn out following morning.
If you are really worried about hooning, take her into the new field on a lunge and let her graze and say hello to new friends over the fence.
Yes she will probably charge about with a bit of excitement but it generally doesn't last too long.
 
Like joanne says probably best just get on with it. A lunge in my eyes woud be dangerous but each to their own.
 
Yep she is very well handled and trusts me etc, but she's been in a pen for 6 weeks on her own (has a horse next door) I don't like this set up hence wanting to move. Yesterday I got a shock as took her down to the traffic, great nice loose line as usual but then the yard horses came back from their hack and she went beserk rearing and broncing. I just circled her until we reached her part of the yard. I know being out with a herd will solve the over excitement of seeing other horses as she needs interaction! I guess if that's her worse it's hard hat long line and just get on with it! So stable overnight and turn out first thing?
 
You absolutely don't need to (and shouldn't) sedate.

In your shoes, I'd stable her for a an hour or so with one of her field mates, and then if you're happy pop them in a small paddock together, before turning out in the bigger field.

You will then need to introduce the rest of the horse slowly, and carefully.

What will she be turned out with exactly??
 
I lead her in 14ft heavy clip rope and rope halter and she is well halter trained. After mind blow yesterday I immediately did some lead training but she was back to her usual behaved self.
 
She will be with 4 adult mares, the YO said I can use the adjoining paddock to let her settle first for up to a week with one other horse.
 
daisydoo said:
She will be with 4 adult mares, the YO said I can use the adjoining paddock to let her settle first for up to a week with one other horse.
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To be honest, you'd be better off finding youngstock livery for her.

I would be vary wary about turning her out with 4 adult horses.
 
There is a yearling at current yard which she was turned out over summer with and will be again in the spring if I stay. So I could stay put until she matures but I hate her being penned 5 months out the years as the fields need to be rested and there isn't much land.
 
I agree she needs company - but you need to consider carefully what that company is.

Why can't the yearling and she be penned together?
 
The other yearling is in a worse predicament and is on the other side of the yard in a stable. The pen isn't big enough for 2, I have asked for turn out time believe me but the owner of the farm is not budging at all. It's a private farm so I have to go along with it.
 
Why don't you and the yearling owner move next door together, and see if you can have turnout together.

Sounds like it's all a bit of a disaster where you are, I agree.
 
I don't think she would move tbh. Of course I would find out if she would want to if I decide to move but I can't say anything just now. I'm just waiting for a stable to come free which should be a matter of weeks. Next door does have a 2 yr old that lives out with the dam and another adult, not sure if that would be an option though.
 
So confused, not sleeping I'm so stressed about this! Stay for time being and hope the lack of turnout doesnt cause behavioural issues or go and hope for the best, hopefully a bit of short term stress for a happy horse in the long term!
 
I don't think you need to worry about turning her out with older horses, she's 18mths not a complete baby. I bought a 15mth old and he settled in to our very established hed of older horses. We did introductions very slowly - starting with the oldest, nicest one first before putting the more dominant ones in. It took a long tim (5 weeks) but then that's cos our lot are horrid but, the youngster seems to get preferential treatment from the herd leader (he really seemed to take him under his wing and he can be extremely dominant usually).

I think it's good for youngsters to mix with older horses, they learn proper herd behaviour. Ok, so if she was maybe under 1 yo I would say put her with animals the same age but i think 18mths is old enough.

Oh and no, I wouldn't sedate. Horses get excited, it's part of being a horse!
 
Thank you! Yes at least I'll be ready for her to get excited this time and will be probably doing a lot of circling! Ok well I'll make a plan with the YO to help settle her in, I am looking to buy an older horse for my OH so there is the option we can have our own paddock there.
 
ladyt25 said:
I don't think you need to worry about turning her out with older horses, she's 18mths not a complete baby. I bought a 15mth old and he settled in to our very established hed of older horses. We did introductions very slowly - starting with the oldest, nicest one first before putting the more dominant ones in. It took a long tim (5 weeks) but then that's cos our lot are horrid but, the youngster seems to get preferential treatment from the herd leader (he really seemed to take him under his wing and he can be extremely dominant usually).

I think it's good for youngsters to mix with older horses, they learn proper herd behaviour. Ok, so if she was maybe under 1 yo I would say put her with animals the same age but i think 18mths is old enough.

Oh and no, I wouldn't sedate. Horses get excited, it's part of being a horse!
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Agree with this. In a 'wild' situation they would mix with a range of ages. There will be some time to establish a hierachy though. I've always found it is more the temprement than age which matters in dominancy. My yearling fears for nothing and nobody and is at the top of her herd (in with 2yo and 3yo). Took her about 3 months. As for the sedation, I can fully understand why you are thinking of it but if you bite the bullet and go for it you'll be fine. How about a friend for moral support? Also I find when things get 'hot' with the babies, I start to discuss their futures with them and MAKE myself slacken the lead rein. Singing Nelly the Elephant helps too. In your position (because I am very risk averse) I would probably 'build up' to the trip over a couple of weeks, going further and further each day but as said I am a wuss.
 
Thanks! My girl is submissive but cheeky, then again she has only lived out with a Coblet who was constantly telling her off and was old for her years, not a playful sort! It's my fault I wasn't prepared for her tiz yesterday, I thought she would just stand and let the other horses ride past so really I should have kept her feet moving so she could even think about rearing-bloody nerve wracking when your on a lane with not much room to circle! She knows not to run into me but she was flying round me at top speed with me getting dizzy! Well it's 5 months since she has behaved that way so was unexpected! I've emailed an IH trainer for advice and maybe support on the day.
 
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