New horse coming! how to settle in?

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bikina

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www.expeditionequus.com
Will have a 2-3 hour journey and then arrive at his new home! How can I make it easy and not too stressful for him? And when should I start introducing him to the other horses and riding?
 
Well people vary on this enormously.

We had a horse arrive at my yard just over a week ago - it was out with the others within an hour or so of arriving.

However, some are not so straight forward.

We always put the most dominant horses either side of new horse in the stables for an hour - then swap for the others (if there are any). They then get popped out with the less dominant first, and then the more dominant after that.

When horse arrives, make sure the bed is down, fresh water is made available and hay. It may or may not want either. Depending on what time of day it is either keep it in or try and get it out with the others if early enough.

Get on board as soon as you think it's settled.

How exciting. What have you finally bought yourself??????
 
Hopefully Friday (depending on boss giving me afternoon off!), if not then the weekend
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You'll be surprised - NOT an Arab!!! I have a Criollo (Argentinian Gaucho horse) who is incredibly sensible but has a lot of go in him when asked!

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Just being nosey - where did you buy him from? There seem to be a couple of people specialising in Criollos at the moment.
As for settling him in - I have found that the best way is have a good stable ready for him with hay, water etc. Turn him out in a separate paddock next to his future fieldmates, so that they can all get used to each other with the safety of a fence between them. Once they are grazing happily near each other (with the fence between them) and there is no sign of any aggression - then you should be ok to start turning him out with the others. As for riding him, people have many different ideas, but I always like them to have a good few days to settle into their new home and adjust to the other horses befoe riding.
 
I have bought him from continental equines - a new company. A friend emailed me the ad from horsemart and I thought I'd take a look. He's very bold - has jumped through hoops of fire at a show!
 
Is this the horsey you would like to do western on? Piccies of new horse please.

I think it is trial and error settling them in. My boy had a 2 hour journey and went into his box, then out in the field on his own the next day. I rode him a day after that I think.

He seemed to settle very well, but now he is completly at home, so I think it took him a couple of months to really settle properly. (He is an Arab! Well part bred anyway)

Good luck!
 
I think it depends on the horse and what sort of life it's been used to. If I buy a horse that is used to going out and about competing then I pop it in the stable with hay and water for an hour or so, and then providing it seems settled enough I go out on a hack either alone if it's sensible or with a future field companion if not. If it's going to be out with other horses from day one then I like to turn them out as it's getting dark so they don't run about too much. I actually find they settle much better once they've been ridden but I'm sure your new boy will let you know how happy he is. Good luck xx
 
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