New horse how long till I ride?

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Limbo1

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I have a new horse, she is a lovely old explo love pony. How long would you let her settle in before getting on? I am obviously itching to ride her but don't want to rush her. Advice please.
 
Mine arrived Sat PM and I rode Sunday AM. It is asking for trouble giving them time off as well as moving house, in my opinion.
 
She has not been in much work poss once or twice a week. Being shod tomorrow as a bit loose. She is super chilled and only trotted about the field and then munched grass.
 
Mine arrived Saturday evening, I lunged her for 2 days while I waited for her to get shoes and then straight on.

They're there to be ridden! If she was being ridden before you got her then that's the only thing that will be consistent for her after moving to a new yard.
 
I would ride her as soon as you can. I don't go for the settling in thing. My last new one was picked up on the Wednesday, clipped out on the Thursday and I hunted her at the opening meet on the Saturday!
 
Thanks all. I think will ride by the weekend thenxx. Need children out of hands as that would not help, kids running about while getting on!
 
I think it depends on the horse and the situation they have come from. Usually I would ride pretty much straight away to get them into a settled routine as soon as they arrive, whereas if they have come from a home where there have been problems I would give them at least a couple of weeks to settle in, rest and feel secure before asking anything from them.
 
I rode my new horse the day after I got him, first few days in the school, then hacked out quietly with a bomb proof companion, about a month before we ventured out alone. My advice would be to get on with it but be sensible!
 
I was different to everyone else but for reasons. When I got my horse he arrived with nothing, no tack not even a headcollar. So I had no tack to ride him in.

I also wanted to give him time to settle down as he was a little depressed for a while after the shock wore off so i was very patient and slow with him. He had also never seen an indoor arena before so i took him into the indoor arena several times in hand to show him it and get him used to it. Would walk him around the edge and shake the windows so he heard what it sounds like when windy. Did a lot of ground work and bonding with him before getting on. He hadn't had a great start in life, was messed around with a lot not fed properly etc he needed a break to me.

I do think that because i did all this it has made him realise that he can be treated like a spoilt prince and be loved meaning he loves me back and does anything i ask. I found out today that he refused to do anything his owner asked him hence why she sold him. He did look a bit grumpy at the place where I found him at too although cared for.

I don't disagree though with riding them as soon as you get them but that way wouldn't have worked for him. Any other normal horse and I would but he is really sensitive. He wants to be treated how he thinks he should be and if that doesn't happen he gets moody. I am making him sound like a brat but he really isn't. His worst behavior til now was how excited he got about getting food but we have made him realise that's wrong and he is better.
 
Last horse I bought he came off the trailer and I tacked him up and straight into the school, I needed to start as I meant to go on. Think with previous one I rode the day after she arrived.
 
My view is if a horse is in regular work it is best to get on straight away - leaving them with time off could result in an explosive horse if they are used to being ridden every day, especially if the feed is kept the same. Also when they first arrive they will be a little nervous and will look to you for comfort, once they have settled and start pushing the boundaries a little it is easier to deal with if they already trust and respect you. If you haven't already ridden it can be very difficult to establish that bond once the horse is already confident and pushing the boundaries with a new owner (as they do ;) )
 
I took mine out as soon as she came off the trailer. I had tried her at the owners school that morn. But I was desperate to get out and hack on her- because that's what I really like to do. I had her on a weeks trial so wanted to cram in as much as possible to 'try out'. The second week when I'd bought her we went to SJ comp (and had my first fall off her lol). Even now when I've moved yards I ride her straight away when I get there- I think it chills her out and let's her get her bearings.
 
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I start as I mean to go on and they're ridden the day after they arrive. Our yard has a 5 day wormer policy on arrival anyway, so they need a good leg stretch while they're confined to barracks!
Enjoy your new pony 😄
 
Limbo1 said:
I have a new horse, she is a lovely old explo love pony. How long would you let her settle in before getting on? I am obviously itching to ride her but don't want to rush her. Advice please.
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I gave my new mare 4-5 days before I got on her and still settling mine in very slowly work wise as she is only 5 years old.
 
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