Nervous and looking for a bit of advice please?

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Pixxie

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Right, well this summer is quickly disappearing infront of me and my start at Hartpury is moving closer and closer.

I am however very nervous about taking Teddy with me. he doesnt settle too easily and gets quite upset about things and im worried about how hes going to cope in such a busy and hectic environment. I am planning to put him on 'Horse First Relax Me' for a week before a week after the move to help take the edge off and as it works on the gut im hoping he wont tie up (?) or anything as a result.

I want to make the transition as smooth as possible for him and a positive thing is his routine will be very very rigid there from Day 1. But I am not sure whether to leave it a week or so before i bring him or to bring him with me as soon as i go. My parents (especially mum) thinks i should wait until the half term to bring him but im worried this will weaken my bond with him and therefore make it harder than it could be. Hartpury recommend Further Education students (me) dont bring a horse at all and im just looking for a little bit of advice of how to make the move as easy as possible for him and any tips would be fab and also opinions and thoughts about when to make the move for him.


(little update on Marley, he is getting fat in his field and is ridiculously cheeky and happy, has really come out of himself since being turned away, eye specialist is coming on Wednesday and i may have found him a lovely home with a friend as a companion so fingers crossed
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Are you keeping him at the college itself? It is a very busy and stressy environment with so many horses and very limited turnout. Some horses settle in and love it - others are not so settled.

Have you thought about keeping him at a nearby private livery yard? There are loads in the area - I could give you details if you're interested.

(I live about 15 mins from the college)
 
yes i am keeping him in the college itself unfortunately being a first year further education student, it is compulsory that i keep him on campus. next year that may be different but this year it is my only option
 
I would wait until half term. You will be very busy settling in yourself and nerves and anxiety will be there for you, let alone the horse! By half term you will have settled in, know the routine, made friends, etc so you can concentrate more on your horse (cool name for a horse, teddy
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) . This will be less stessful for you and so better for your horse.
 
I think you need to take him when you go and see how he settles. He may surprise you and settle really well. Put him on the calmer a week before you go and hopefully that will help him during the change of environment.

You brought him so that you could have some fun so Don't worry yourself about it (easier said then done I know!), spend the summer building up your bond together and look forward to your time at Hartpury with him where I am sure you will both have a great deal of fun and learn a lot along the way!

Glad things are looking up for Marley
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Isn't it about time we had some ridden photo's of you and Teddy
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Hopefully your little man will settle well, but my mare didn't like it at all and unfortunately had to go home. There was very limited turnout and the yard was rarely very quiet, and as she is quite a stressy girl, she just couldn't cope. Friends did find that buying stable toys like likits and playballs etc. really helped their horses, but my girl just destroyed them!!

I was an HE student so I didn't have to due yard duties etc., but a friend who was an FE did struggle to fit everything in at the beginning. Luckily though, there were others in the same situation and everyone helped eachother out, so hopefully once you make friends you will find things will soon get into a rhythm. The facilities are fantastic though, and you will get to see so many interesting things.

Hartpury have also bought a yard in Maisemore, which you might be able to go to next year. I kept my girl there this last year and it was brilliant; lots of turnout, hacking etc.

Lots of luck. Hartpury may be a bit chaotic at times, but I loved my three years there and am going to miss it so much. Feel free to PM if you have any questions, or just want a chat before you go
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it is about time there were some ridden photos of me and Ted but im too embarrassed and worried about how we'll look, might steal a photographer for Thursday when i have my lesson if i can find the bottle to then post them on here you all have to be nice lol
 
ive been there and done what you are about to do only difference is not at the same college i took my horse to college with me at Oatridge college as i was doing horse management and he was only there for 3 months before i sent him home as he became depressed in his stable and out in the field when he got out and dangerous to ride as we were only allowed to ride him in a lesson once a week cause the college horses were said to be more important and they got priority over the turnout as well and the diy liveries had a small paddock between 12 of us it was difficult to fit in while he was there but it worked but i'd say to you think about if your horse would cope in a different routine i thought taz would be okay as he usually lives in over the winter but he hated it and i regret taking him maybe your horse would be best left at home for your first year so that he can go to a normal yard in your second or just put him at a different yard and just not tell them our college had the same policy but many people moved their diy horses away
 
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