Question about horses settling in to new places

sandi_84

sandi_84

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If you move your horse and it's companion to a new field....

Is there anything you can do to help the move be less stressfull? There is no stable, it'll be grass livery.

Should you wait before putting down haylage? Obviously if they are displaying signs of stress I wouldn't be putting out any fodder in case of colic.

Would you give them the whole field or would you section it off beforehand (the plan is to split the field into two or three paddocks for rotation)?

How long would you expect it to take for them to settle in to the point you could ride?

These are probably stupid questions but you know if you don't ask you don't know and this is the first time I'll not be on livery :o
 
Just chuck them out, if there is grass in the field then I wouldn't put hay or haylage out. Let them explore their new surroundings at their own pace.

Are they going out with new horses or on their own?

When I moved my horses I rode them the next day, keep things as normal as possible, none of this leaving them off work for a week to settle in... The more you faff about with them the more stress you will cause, they are horses, just keeps things as much the same as you can and let them get on with it :)


It's always more stressful for us as we worry whether they are going to be ok and whether they will settle, you will see for yourself if they don't settle!
 
They are just going out on their own, it'll just be the two of them unless for some reason my sisters horses have to come home from their loan homes and then it'll just be as emergency grazing till she finds somewhere else because our field is only just big enough for two :cool:

Thank you, I'm a major worrier and I do tend to second guess myself so it's really helpful getting advice on here :D
 
If they are going together, they'll probably be fine. I'd make sure that unless there is plenty of grass, they had hay/lege straight away, so that they settle to eat. That shouldn't give them colic if you use the same hay/lege that you are using now, stress on an empty stomach might. You will need to use your judgement about when they are ready to ride. If you think they will gallop round, I'd wait before sectioning off the field, in case they charge through the electric fencing.
Don't worry too much, if you are relaxed about it all, so will they be.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
If you think they will gallop round, I'd wait before sectioning off the field, in case they charge through the electric fencing.
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Yeah that's what I was worried about, think we'll just let them loose for a hoolie and then section it off afterwards, thanks!
 
I wouldn't think you would have many problems at all, unless they get upset when you ride. Perhaps ride both out together at first. You will probably get more issues later on, with seperation anxiety, if it will be just the two of them. I struggle with this a bit with my two that are on their own.
 
I wouldn't really expect it to take more than half hour for an established pair to settle into a new field :) Horses are designed to roam over great distances and none of mine past or present have batted an eyelid at a change of field - change of stable is completely different, but change of field mine don't seem to care at all.

Good luck :)
 
Honey08 said:
I wouldn't think you would have many problems at all, unless they get upset when you ride. Perhaps ride both out together at first. You will probably get more issues later on, with seperation anxiety, if it will be just the two of them. I struggle with this a bit with my two that are on their own.
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Aye this is another thing that's been running around in my head. I'm really hoping my mum's sharer will still be able to share as then at least I'd have a hacking partner.
My mum isn't a confident rider and her pony is pretty forward going so if we were to hack out together I'd probably have to ride her pony and mum would have to ride my horse which wouldn't be ideal.
The field we are in is too small (I think) for us to have a school sectioned off and tbh I'd rather not ride in the field too often to preserve the grazing... is that silly? Think mum has other ideas though :o
 
ghostie said:
I wouldn't really expect it to take more than half hour for an established pair to settle into a new field :) Horses are designed to roam over great distances and none of mine past or present have batted an eyelid at a change of field - change of stable is completely different, but change of field mine don't seem to care at all.

Good luck :)
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Thank you, I might need it ;)
 
With my two, if they are left alone in the field they gallop round and get silly, if in the stables, or a tiny 20x30 winter turnout (either the one with grass or the hardcore one) they don't seem to bother, perhaps neighing once or twice, but no hysterics. May be worth having a corral section..
 
Honey08 said:
With my two, if they are left alone in the field they gallop round and get silly, if in the stables, or a tiny 20x30 winter turnout (either the one with grass or the hardcore one) they don't seem to bother, perhaps neighing once or twice, but no hysterics. May be worth having a corral section..
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Hmmm might have to get the OH's thoughts on that, he's pretty handy with a saw and some wood ;)
 
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