New horse do's and Don'ts in his first days at new yard

SAL66

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The title says it all really, I collected my new horse last night and want to make sure that i do every thing correctly in his first days as it will be all new to him and me, he is a laid back individual so hopefully no major problems, but any advice would be great.
 
Do spend lots of time with him getting to know each other
Do give him a couple of days to settle then easy work - perhaps a nice hack in company, or quiet lesson with usual instructor
Do turn him out
Do try and follow a routine he's used to - feed times, turnout etc.
Do feed him what he's used to, but in smaller quantities for the first week or so, you can always up it later

Don't do too much too soon
Don't go out alone until you know him better

Hope that helps - have fun and anjoy your horse!
 
The other reply covers most of it but would add that boots on all four legs for protection if he plays or runs about (over reach could also stop a shoe being pulled off), intermix very gradually though hopefully as new will be on own/isolated for time? Good luck - how exciting!
 
Thank you both for your comments, He's settles in so well, I took hin for a mooch round earlier just let him get a feel for the place, he's in until tomorrow just been wormed, I will go for a hack tomorrow and see how that goes, but yes its really exciting .
 
Yes, I would say turn him out on his own at first.

I also get saddle/teeth/back checked in first couple of weeks.

Even if the people who sold him said, ' oh yes, his teeth/back/saddle were done a month ago...' They may be right, but I prefer my dentist/saddler/physio to do it with me watching!

Very exciting, isn't it!
 
Yes its very exciting, he has taken everything in his stride, hacked out for the first time and passed pigs, roadworks, double decker bus, never batted an eye, the only thing he is scared of his calfs!
 
I turned Thumper out 24/7 for four days when I first got him.

Obviously I checked him in the field - but it was important to me that he was allowed to settle in quitely with his field mates without any interference from me.

I brought him on day 5 and sat on him in the school - and then hacked out the next day.

And have gone on from there really.
 
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