New horse tomorrow - when to ride?

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anniedoherty

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I know this has been asked before but I can't remember the consensus of opinion! We are getting the new boy tomorrow. He has a 3 hour journey so I will pop him straight in his stable with some hay and let him settle in for the night. Would it be ok to ride him the next day though? I was thinking of a gentle, off road hack. Any advice please? I want him to settle but I don't want him to think that his new job is being a lawnmower rather than a riding horse!
 
Personally I'd let him chill on the first day, turn him out on the second day and maybe lunge before he comes in for tea (that's assuming he'll be turned out all day). then I'd ride on the third day.

TBH, they're all so different - you'll have to access how he is on his first day.

Before we were all so paranoid about our horses (me inlcuded) we'd pick up a horse and just chuck it in the field after walking the perimeter with them. How times change! x
 
I would let him settle when he arrives then ride the following day, carry on with the routine IMO. I would however go in the school - safe environment for you and him.

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I'd ride him on day 2...but I'm not that safety conscious/sensible - but I wouldnt be able to wait any longer....too exciting!
 
When I get a saddle to fit is my answer
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However if I had something to fit him I'd be on the next day.
 
I'd ride on the second day - I don't like leaving them too long to become too frisky! Besides, I think it does them good and helps them settle if they get straight into a routine.
 
Think it depends on the horse. Ty settled in quite well both times he moved and would probably have been ok to have ridden.....you just never know till you move them!
 
Thanks everyone. Going in the school first may be the best idea. I am hoping that my saddle fits him - if not I might not be able to ride him until the saddle fitter has seen him. I rejected the saddle that came with him because it is horrible and doesn't actually fit him!
 
I would let him settle first. Its a lot to take in for a horse! I usually lunge the horse on the 3rd day and ride gently the next (in a school rather than out on a hack until you're used to each other).
 
I would let him settle first day and ride the next. As long as there's not too much pressure I prefer to get them in a routine, and also stops them getting too sharp!
 
is he going to your own place or into livery

'cos if he's going into livery he should be quarantined for 3 weeks and also given a good wormer

as I wouldn't give the wormer on the day of travelling and I don't like 'stressing' a horse after worming I'd give the wormer on day 2 and ride on day 3

also if at livery you should ride in the school alone to maintain quarantine and therefore he'll be able to concentrate on his new environment without worrying about strange horses.
 
I would ride the day after they arrive. My new horse had a 7 hour journey arrived and had her mane pulled wormed etc then hacked out the next day. (with out shoes). We go to shows all over the country and they don't get chance to settle in there!! Have fun!
 
I got my new boy yesterday and I wormed him then popped him in the field (on his own) for a few hours before he came in at night. He was only in because of the weather though. I have free schooled him tonight and given him a good groom to try and get to know each other. I'm hoping I will be on by next week as I want my saddler to check the fit of my saddle and I don't know when they will be able to come out. I'm not risking riding him in a saddle that doesn't fit though as someone screwed up my old horse by doing that
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My new boy got three days to nsettle being a youngster and stressed to start with I didin't want to upset him any further. He was turned out with my other horse and then I lunged him for a 20min for a few days. However he then caught an infection which the vet put down to stress.

So he was then rested for another 5 weeks. 4 weeks to get over the illness and a further week to build his strength back up.
 
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