Moving around a lot

[SaddleUpSin]

Unfortunately, my new boy had to move to a temporary home with livery services until the end of Jan as there was nowhere near by, due to move to be with me start of Feb. I feel so so awful for moving him around a lot, no stability, no person to trust in as I won't get to spend much time with him until then. Hes a bit spooky, jumpy and excitable at the moment (only on week 1), do you think the nerves from the first move will be settled by the time I move again? I feel so bad, I feel like he'll be all frazzled from it. Anyone else had the same issue?

 

[Nugget La Poneh]

Yes, but I work on the basis it is a learning curve - and no different to going to different overnight pony parties on consecutive weekends.

Is the horse used to being away, or is this the first move in a long while?

 

[SaddleUpSin]

Yes, but I work on the basis it is a learning curve - and no different to going to different overnight pony parties on consecutive weekends.

Is the horse used to being away, or is this the first move in a long while?

Been in the same home the last 3 years Now I'm moving him twice in three months.

 

[Amye]

TBH i wouldn't worry too much. Horses can take a while to settle into a new home yes, but so long as you are prepared to have two 'settling in periods' then it should be fine.

I would just get him into a proper routine as quickly as possible so he knows what's going on in the new place, and forget about the old place. Horses that go on sales livery will move to a livery for however long it takes to sell them, then move to a new home (or ones that go dealers) so I'd just think of it like that!

 

[SaddleUpSin]

TBH i wouldn't worry too much. Horses can take a while to settle into a new home yes, but so long as you are prepared to have two 'settling in periods' then it should be fine.

I would just get him into a proper routine as quickly as possible so he knows what's going on in the new place, and forget about the old place. Horses that go on sales livery will move to a livery for however long it takes to sell them, then move to a new home (or ones that go dealers) so I'd just think of it like that!

Once he's here with me, I'll be seeing him and feeding/checking/grooming same time every day and will actually get to spend time with him Thankfully!

 

[Cortez]

Horses have to get used to moving around, it's part of life. Horses on the showing circuit or even just travelling to lessons or clinics are somewhere different every week.

 

[Leo Walker]

I move mine if and when I have to. Hes moved 4 times in the last year. Not ideal but hes fine. In fact hes more than fine. so long as theres food hes happy generally.

 

[Wimbles]

We took on an old horse last year that was unwanted and due to be PTS. He was born on the farm and has spent 20 years there. I had an accident and could no longer muck out the horses this winter so had to move them onto a little place where they would live out with barns etc to go in and out of at will. I took the old horse with me and some people were quite harsh to me about moving the old boy and how he would cope, but what could I do?

He's now been there with my other 4 boys for a few weeks and is as happy as larry. He has food, shelter, company and no mud and he is thriving.

Horses don't have the same priorities as us seemingly.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I've moved around a lot and moving yards every year isn't ideal, I feel guilty taking the horse away from its friends, especially if he doesn't really make any new ones at the next yard. But what else can I do, if I move the horse comes with me. I've found it's easier on them if they move with others who they know, eg if you've more than one or if you move yards with a friend coming too. I've never had any major problems with moving yards though, the horse does settle and it's not the end of the world.

 

[fidleyspromise]

The first time I moved my horse it took ages for her to settle but when I've moved her since she has settled in very quickly.
The only difference in each move was I was not there the first time - I was working and friends loaded and boxed her for me.

 

[SpringArising]

Your horse isn't looking for that special someone to trust in. It's good for them to get used to different things and will help you when you come to start competing.

 

[huskydamage]

Ive moved my horse loads for various reasons. Also been on several holidays with her, some where she was the only horse. Only one yard move took her a long time to settle and sent her a bit loopy, I think she just hated that particular yard. Everything else no problem. I can ride to my house leave her in the garden overnight and she's not bothered. I think it's good to get used to moving about, you never know when they may have to go somewhere.

 

[doodle]

I bought a horse. He arrived at new yard, started eating and simply kept eating. After about 3 months I moved yards. Again he moved in started eating and kept eating. I then sold him 3 months later. I did feel sorry for him moving so much but he really didn't seem bothered. I bought a new horse, same thing, got him home he immediately started eating and really didn't seem bothered.
However my last horse I moved yard and frankly he hated it. Initially he seemed to settle a d get on with things. He moved with his field mate and stayed with him. He lost 100kg, all his muscle, spent 3 days at the vet and gave himself ulcers. I moved him back to previous yard after about 3 months. He was delighted and set about putting weight back on.