Settling horses in new home?

Bri

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Is there anything I can do to help my mare settle better?

She moved to a new yard on sunday and isn't settling particularly well. She's fairly relaxed when she's in her stable, she eats her tea but will then just stand staring over her door and ignore her hay, which is fairly concerning from a horse that used to do anything for food!
Main problem is coming from turnout, she stands by the gate calling all day or paces around the small area by the gate. Again I'm more concerned by this as usually eating is all she thinks about and she barely lifts her head from the grass. She's managed to work herself up a few times, and has banged her face about a bit. I guess I'm just unsure as to whether it's better to let her get on with it, or to give in and bring her in?

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
 

Bossanova

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Let her get on with it- you want to pick a routine and stick with it. She'll settle
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Bri

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Thanks Boss! Thought that was the way to go, but so hard to ignore her constantly screaming at me and charging up and down!
 

MontyandZoom

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My boy was a nightmare for nearly a month when we moved. It was really difficult to ignore him when he was stressing and pacing up and down all day, it breaks your heart, but the best thing you can do is leave her to sort herself out. Before you know it she'll be happy and chilled.
 

cellie

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Wow I must have been really lucky .Bought a new horse last friday and you would never think she had been anywhere else.Absolute poppet.
 

Tia

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Boss is right in my opinion. I have very recently taken receipt of a very abused and neglected horse and when he arrived 5 days ago he was in a bit of a state psychologically. He was a top show horse and had previously spent his life being totally pampered; then he ended up in a home where he was seriously starved and god knows what else (he arrived with dreadful wounds and zilch personality). I turned him out 24/7; he has never in his life been turned out 24/7 and I admit for the first 2 days I was concerned about how he would manage. He fenced walked, he didn't eat ANY grass (seemed to not know what it was); basically he appeared as if in a zombie-like trance. He did eat his hay however; and the hay has been the weapon of choice used by me to help him get over his anxieties. Now, 5 days on, he is very well settled and no longer fence walks ... AND he's even eating grass now! I am very happy with his transition, so I would say, just keep at it and I am sure your mare will settle eventually. Some settle quicker than others, but they generally always do in the end. Good luck, and I'm sure there are a few of us who know how worried you are.
 
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