Out or in on the first night?

M

militarysweetheart

Member
Joined
13 February 2012
Messages
17
Location
Catterick Garrison
Visit site
Hi Everyone!

We have bought a Warmblood yearling and are having him delivered to us at the end of March. The journey will be 5 hours long and I am wondering whether it is a good idea to keep him out or in on his first night with us. It is a livery yard he is going to with a large 15 acre field with other horses, so it's not like i can keep him in a separate smaller paddock for a bit to keep an eye on him.
I'm just worried that what with him not knowing me at all if i turn him out, he will not respond or come to me and catching him will become a nightmare. Should I keep him in on the first night and give him a relaxing groom, his tea etc to get him to recognise me a bit?
Any help would be appreciated.
 
I would definitely keep him in, poor boy is going to be travelling to a new home, having a very long journey, to then turn him out in a group of strange horses is potentially a recipe for disaster. He needs a few days to be turned out in a small area with a kind friend that will take him under his wing before going into a large group situation.
I would keep him in at night for a while, he needs time to adjust to his new life and gain confidence in you.
 
I personally kept my yearling in on the first night, it was getting dark when he arrived and he was tired, and hadnt eaten on the journey. He had a friend in the stable next door but I did close the top door because he had not been stabled before. I also did some handling the next morning before I turned out.
Then for the first week I just feed him out in the feed - he soon started coming over to me. When we started bringing him in for grooming ect I always bought his friend in to so he would follow.
What fencing is your field? My colt ran straight through the electric first time. I would watch for a while when you do turn out - most yearlings go in to the herd making all sorts of mouthing actions - this is just submission to the other horses. They are just looking for acceptance - but everyone will want to say hello.
 
be positive said:
I would definitely keep him in, poor boy is going to be travelling to a new home, having a very long journey, to then turn him out in a group of strange horses is potentially a recipe for disaster. He needs a few days to be turned out in a small area with a kind friend that will take him under his wing before going into a large group situation.
I would keep him in at night for a while, he needs time to adjust to his new life and gain confidence in you.
Click to expand...

^^^ This!
 
Thank you!

I'm glad you've both said to stay in. That was what was sitting more comfortablyy with me, I just had a few others in my ear saying, oh well, it's been a long journey and he will want to stretch his legs so confining him to a strange stable all night may make him try to kick his way out!

It's put all kinds of worry on my shoulders. Staying in however, does seem a better option, he is young and so he will be tired and hungry. I will return first thing to check on him and like you say, handle him a bit more before letting him get to know his new friends.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top