Moving to a new yard, any tips??

[StoptheCavalry]

Hi,

I have commented on quite a few posts recently regarding my impending move to a new yard. I have a very anxious ID X TB who has just about settled after a year at my current yard, and in two weeks we'll be on the move again.

I have managed to convince a friend to lend me her pony for him to travel with as he doesn't travel well alone, his stable will be all ready to go as soon as we arrive. When he came to me he had been passed around a bit so didn't really have a 'mum' I'm hoping the bond we have developed over the last year will help calm him a bit. But I was wondering if anyone had any tips or pointers as to how to make the move as stress free for him, and also how to settle him into the new yard?

Thank you in advance, any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Charlie Bucket]

Bumping this for you - I'm interested in the replies!

Moving mine to a new yard in 2 weeks. Been on the same yard for 6.5 years so a little worried how they will take the change.

Good luck with your move

 

[StoptheCavalry]

Good luck to you too !

I have been on my yard for 5 years with 2 different horses, I have never had my own horse at another yard so am a bit worried for me and him. Were also moving nearly 2 hours away so wont know anyone, starting to get a bit nervous!

 

[Georgie-]

I have recently moved my very stroppy very stressy highly strung tbxshire (in the last 2 weeks) .

I found what helped the most from the advice I got on here was.

Calm down if your stressed your horse will sense the tension and will think they have a reason to be stressed. Good advice, if your flapping around like a maniac worrying about stuff your horse is bound to think that this new yard is something to worry about because you are.

and 2ndly,

Get in to a routine straight away. This helped me massively, I've had some behavioural and seperation issues in the field with my horse in the past but since being at this yard I've got straight in to a routine and she knows when to expect me and when she's going to be fed or brought in. So she doesn't get stressed out about me coming at all times of the day anymore or me taking her away from her friends.

I would also say that I was panicking like mad before I moved that she wouldn't settle or that she'd hate me for moving her and it was all very anti climax! She's settled here better in 2 weeks than she did in 3 years at my other yard.

Sorry If my waffle above is useless!!

Good luck!!

 

[tiga71]

You could also try some rescue remedy for both you and your horse. I used this when I was really nervous when I started riding my new horse. He also had a bit as he was very stressy then. It did help - don't whether that it was in my mind or not though!

 

[StoptheCavalry]

I have recently moved my very stroppy very stressy highly strung tbxshire (in the last 2 weeks) .

I found what helped the most from the advice I got on here was.

Calm down if your stressed your horse will sense the tension and will think they have a reason to be stressed. Good advice, if your flapping around like a maniac worrying about stuff your horse is bound to think that this new yard is something to worry about because you are.

and 2ndly,

Get in to a routine straight away. This helped me massively, I've had some behavioural and seperation issues in the field with my horse in the past but since being at this yard I've got straight in to a routine and she knows when to expect me and when she's going to be fed or brought in. So she doesn't get stressed out about me coming at all times of the day anymore or me taking her away from her friends.

I would also say that I was panicking like mad before I moved that she wouldn't settle or that she'd hate me for moving her and it was all very anti climax! She's settled here better in 2 weeks than she did in 3 years at my other yard.

Sorry If my waffle above is useless!!

Good luck!!

That is really helpful thank you. Your definitely right about me not stressing. When he's bad, he's really bad and I think the main issue is that I'm worried I wont be able to deal with him on my own. Guess Ill have to cross that bridge when it comes. He is living out at the moment but will be in at night so that will be another adjustment also.

Really appreciate the advice

 

[Georgie-]

Should have mentioned that too!!

I started putting calmer (herbal power) into her feed a few days before and for the first week of the move!



You sound just like me!! I was worried I wouldn't be able to handle her misbehaviours. There bloody big animals if they decide their not doing something!

I didn't even no if my mare would go in a stable let alone have to come in at night!! She's not been in for about 8 - 10 years! Took it all in her stride after the initial 10 minutes kicking the door she just ate her hay and stood quietly!

 

[StoptheCavalry]

You could also try some rescue remedy for both you and your horse. I used this when I was really nervous when I started riding my new horse. He also had a bit as he was very stressy then. It did help - don't whether that it was in my mind or not though!

I'll have the rescue remedy at the ready

 

[Emilieu]

I packed up Deano's old bed and took it with us so that new stable smelt like home.
Good luck! Hope it all goes well x

 

[StoptheCavalry]

I packed up Deano's old bed and took it with us so that new stable smelt like home.
Good luck! Hope it all goes well x

That's a great idea, although he's currently living out and I think my YO might have something to say if I start carting off parts of the field

 

[Brimmers]

Is there any chance you can ride out with the pony he's going to be travelling with once or twice so he can get to know them a bit beforehand? Just so he's got a "friend" at the yard, especially if they are going to be going out in the field together.

Also, it depends completely on your stable block set up but i find my stressy boy is also incredibly nosey, so he has the end stable on the block so he can peer out at al the fields / yard. If he can hear horses coming in or out the drive but cant see them he tends to box walk to and from his stable door and his window at the back. He gets his haynets tied at the front of his stable so he can munch and look all day long. If yours can see whats causing all the new sounds, he might be more likely to have a look at them, get bored and go back to his hay?

Also worth maybe putting him on a calmer for a while? Doesn't help some horses, but then again might work well for yours and help him relax a little!

Finally agree with getting him into his routine straight away. The last thing you want is for him to take a while to settle, then have to change his routine and upset him again.

Good luck!

 

[StoptheCavalry]

Is there any chance you can ride out with the pony he's going to be travelling with once or twice so he can get to know them a bit beforehand? Just so he's got a "friend" at the yard, especially if they are going to be going out in the field together.

Also, it depends completely on your stable block set up but i find my stressy boy is also incredibly nosey, so he has the end stable on the block so he can peer out at al the fields / yard. If he can hear horses coming in or out the drive but cant see them he tends to box walk to and from his stable door and his window at the back. He gets his haynets tied at the front of his stable so he can munch and look all day long. If yours can see whats causing all the new sounds, he might be more likely to have a look at them, get bored and go back to his hay?

Also worth maybe putting him on a calmer for a while? Doesn't help some horses, but then again might work well for yours and help him relax a little!

Finally agree with getting him into his routine straight away. The last thing you want is for him to take a while to settle, then have to change his routine and upset him again.

Good luck!

He knows the pony we will be travelling with but once they have dropped us off they will be going back to our old yard. The yard is a 'u' shape so he can see all the other horses, there are only 4 others there so quite a small set up. He will have his back to the fields but the way times will work I don't think he will ever be left on his own. I will certainly try the calmer though, I think I have some left from my last horse. I have taken a couple of days off work so I can keep a bit of an eye on him, mainly because the yard is so quiet I just want to make sure he doesn't get too worked up and do something stupid

 

[StoptheCavalry]

Should have mentioned that too!!

I started putting calmer (herbal power) into her feed a few days before and for the first week of the move!



You sound just like me!! I was worried I wouldn't be able to handle her misbehaviours. There bloody big animals if they decide their not doing something!

I didn't even no if my mare would go in a stable let alone have to come in at night!! She's not been in for about 8 - 10 years! Took it all in her stride after the initial 10 minutes kicking the door she just ate her hay and stood quietly!

He's such a sweet horse but when he gets really worked up he completely forgets how big he is and throws himself around a bit, its a constant challenge not to get head butted or my feet stood on. So just looking to try and stop him from getting so worked up that he becomes uncontrollable

 

[wildcard]

really interesting to know everyone gets stressed about moving and worries like mad about their horses im moving mine on Saturday after over 14 years at the same yard. Im TERRIFIED. moving 2 my old boyo 26 and my 4 year old who im not worrid about at all as she will settle anywhere.. will be pinching some of these helpful hints tho.. anything for stressy owner!!?? Hope everyones moves goes well be interested to hear how they settled in

 

[StoptheCavalry]

really interesting to know everyone gets stressed about moving and worries like mad about their horses im moving mine on Saturday after over 14 years at the same yard. Im TERRIFIED. moving 2 my old boyo 26 and my 4 year old who im not worrid about at all as she will settle anywhere.. will be pinching some of these helpful hints tho.. anything for stressy owner!!?? Hope everyones moves goes well be interested to hear how they settled in

It has made me feel loads better to know its not just me who has felt aprehensive about a move. I am really excited as the hacking is amazing just the settling in period that worries me. Good luck with your move, hope everything goes to plan. For the stressy owner..... apparently rescue remedy (and for me a glass of wine?!)

 

[unicorndreams]

Hi Emily - its Helen - you're moving to our yard
Linda, Lesley and I will help you and Zac settle as easily as possible. It can be upsetting to move and be prepared for a few 'wobbly weeks' but we're here to support you both so if we can help then please feel free to ask as we've plenty of experience between us - although we won't interfere as you know your horse best! Its a very relaxed environment and none of ours are the sort to get het up so that will help Zac to chill out. We'll work with whatever you think is best for introducing him to the others. When Bo moved in we rode out together first then turned him out with them all - they had a good run around for 10mins before getting on with grazing. Some people however prefer to keep them separate for a while, some prefer to introduce to one other first before putting them both in with the rest of the herd - whatever you think will work best for Zac. Ours are all pretty easy going sorts with Lottie being a passive herd leader
As others have suggested, get that routine going as you'll be the one constant following the move and he'll rely on you being there more so than usual perhaps. Keep a calm and consistent approach to reassure him. If you are at all concerned about how you are both coping then call for a chat

 

[StoptheCavalry]

Hi Emily - its Helen - you're moving to our yard
Linda, Lesley and I will help you and Zac settle as easily as possible. It can be upsetting to move and be prepared for a few 'wobbly weeks' but we're here to support you both so if we can help then please feel free to ask as we've plenty of experience between us - although we won't interfere as you know your horse best! Its a very relaxed environment and none of ours are the sort to get het up so that will help Zac to chill out. We'll work with whatever you think is best for introducing him to the others. When Bo moved in we rode out together first then turned him out with them all - they had a good run around for 10mins before getting on with grazing. Some people however prefer to keep them separate for a while, some prefer to introduce to one other first before putting them both in with the rest of the herd - whatever you think will work best for Zac. Ours are all pretty easy going sorts with Lottie being a passive herd leader
As others have suggested, get that routine going as you'll be the one constant following the move and he'll rely on you being there more so than usual perhaps. Keep a calm and consistent approach to reassure him. If you are at all concerned about how you are both coping then call for a chat

Hi Helen,

Thanks so much that is really kind, Im so excited and have all these visions of the amazing hacks we can go on . Im pretty sure he knows hes moving as hes started being a complete pain in the bum which is just making me worry about him being too much of a handful. Im sure im worrying about nothing and he will be just fine. I haven't met Lesley yet but both you and Linda have been really helpful (I also love my new tack area ) Hes really laid back once settled just anticipating those 'wobbly weeks', as my previous attempts to reason with him havent really worked, shocking really as he doesnt really speak human

 

[Quantock-cob]

Well Emily, I don't think you've got too much to worry about as Helen sounds lovely and like she is ready to help you both settle in. Wish all YO's were as nice as she sounds.

Good luck with the move x

 

[Mince Pie]

Take some of his bedding from his current stable!

 

[StoptheCavalry]

Well Emily, I don't think you've got too much to worry about as Helen sounds lovely and like she is ready to help you both settle in. Wish all YO's were as nice as she sounds.

Good luck with the move x

I know, I bet he will come of the trailer and be good as gold too to make all this worrying pointless. They have all been so helpful, I think I will concentrate on being excited now and stop with the worrying! Back to day dreaming about long hacks...

 

[unicorndreams]

Lesley is lovely - both her and Bo settled in well and she's thrilled to have the lovely hacking on the doorstep after having to box to get out anywhere nice before. Lottie still pulls 'mare-faces' at Bo but my horse, Mel lets him share her haynets and feedbucket - she is such a sook!!
We all rode out together last weekend and sat around on the yard with a cuppa and biccies afterwards much to the farmers amusement at our impromptu ladies tea party

 

[StoptheCavalry]

Lesley is lovely - both her and Bo settled in well and she's thrilled to have the lovely hacking on the doorstep after having to box to get out anywhere nice before. Lottie still pulls 'mare-faces' at Bo but my horse, Mel lets him share her haynets and feedbucket - she is such a sook!!
We all rode out together last weekend and sat around on the yard with a cuppa and biccies afterwards much to the farmers amusement at our impromptu ladies tea party

This sounds ideal for me, I am intending on overseeing the big bits of funiture being moved and then I intend to spend the rest of my 6 days off (Very excited not had a holiday all year) hiding at the yard. Im taking a trip to Robinsons at the weekend to get my last bits and bobs, thats if Ive not sold him between then and now for being a bit of a pig

 

[Hexx]

When I first bought Gus and took him to my new yard - he was a nightmare. At the point where he was cantering round his box (12x12!) screaming his head off, I thought "what have I bought?!" It took him a good 3 months to settle down.

Unfortunately, I had to move him after about a year to a new yard and I thought I was going to have to go through the same thing again, but because we had established a bond, the move went really well and as long as I was with him, he was really chilled - just settled to eating his hay and watching the world go by.

I have since moved him twice more - and both times he has been brilliant and settled immediately. We have been at our current yard for 8 years, so don't expect to move again (he's 22 now).

Good luck with the move - hope all goes well.

 

[lilly1]

You might find he is completely fine. I’d only owned my mare for 4 weeks before we moved again. At the first yard she never really settled and I was concerned moving her again so quickly would tip her over the edge! I needn’t have worried as she settled from day one and has been a different horse since. Not all yards suit all horses.

I would echo the advice about getting him into a routine though.

 

[Fizz06]

I sometimes think that moving yards is more stressful for us than our horses! I always tend to take a cake and leave it by the kettle with a little note as to who I am and who my horse is, as an introduction!

 

[StoptheCavalry]

Thanks so much for all the tips! There are really great people at the yard so hoping everything will be fine. Like a few people have said I might be worried about nothing. He will be coming from a very chaotic yard to a very quiet yard so it might suit him better, fingers crossed anyway! I like the cake idea!!