New horse stories

timefort

timefort

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I read a lot of stories / pleas for help from people (both experienced and novice) who have just bought what they believed to be their perfect horse only to discover that with the upheaval of moving and new owner/rider their previously wonderful choice has become a nappy, bolshy beast.
I appreciate generally those who don't have problems don't need to post, so please, can those of you who have bought a new, previously unknown, horse please reassure me that all horses advertised as "perfectly normal" don't turn delinquent on arrival at their new home.

Slight disclaimer... I understand that even the sanest horse will take a while to settle in to a new place/routine etc and be a little sharp for the first couple of weeks - I'm thinking more along the lines of the horse not settling after a month or so. Also, any tips on how to avoid this if I ever become brave enough to buy my own would not go amiss...
 
The main thing is to keep to routine. I don't mean you have to stick to exactly the same times. Just if they are used to coming in etc. Also exercise as soon as possible. It helps them realise they are still doing the same things
Don't accept bad behaviour just because they are new. But do make slight allowances

They soon settle when they know what's expected from them
 
I've purchased numerous horses for myself, and have been to help clients of mine buy horses. Apart from one that didn't ever settle, and he turned out to be in pain, we've never had problems with new horses.

When they first arrive we try and give them a similar routine to what ther were used to i.e. amount of turn out/feeds/work etc for the first few days and gradually slip them into a routine with the rest of the yard.

They all get plenty of turnout and get turned out/stabled next to horses that are very settled on the yard. Those that are used to being worked get worked straight away - i believe if a horse is used to going to shows etc, this should never be a problem. They are treated kindly but firmly - bad manners are never excused just because they are new!

A few of my clients send have their new horses with me for a few weeks first so i can see how they're going to react in a new home environment, and find any quirks that previous owners may have not disclosed, they come and have lessons on them and handle them at mine for a week or so, and when the owner is confidently handleing and riding their horse they go home...people may argue that changing the horses home twice isnt a good thing, but i've found that if the new owner is confindent in their handleing and riding of the new horse then when it does go home there are far less problems!
 
My newest pony was an angel the first week - the Devil incarnate the second week - and a little darling ever since week 3.

So we had the "moving home" issues, but it left just as soon as it came about - now she is 100 times better then when I went to view her :)
 
I bought my horse as a project and was a dream to try out and really honest. When he arrived i gave him 2 wekks of settling in and did as much ground work as i could with him whilst he settled in. He had me off everytime i rode and shattered my confidence. after more ground work we were doing well and now afetr 2 years we compete successfully.
There is no way of telling if the horse you just bought is going to be the right or wrong one. It just takes alot of time and very hard work to make the horse you bought the right one for you :)
 
I try to keep the same routine with new horses that they had at the old home. Been doing this with my youngster, he has livid out all his life and hasn't been stabled, took things slowly and brought him down to the stables to have 30 mins in, the little sod jumped out over the stable door!
 
I suppose I was lucky in that I bought pony from the livery yard where she has stayed, so nothing changed for her apart from having to contend with my children. I'm just about to buy another horse for myself that's at the same yard, so we'll have the same situation. Same old, just different rider.

I'm sure that 99% of the time horses settle fine once they've adjusted so I hope you won't be put off, good luck with the horse hunting.
 
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