Settling in period for new pony

[metalmare]

Hi all,

I have (finally) a pony coming tomorrow who hopefully is the one! He's coming for a 2 week trial before any money changes hands. I'm feeling very optimistic, or I wouldn't have dragged him away to a new home!

My question is this: I know usually a couple of weeks is given for a pony to settle into its new home before any work begins. However, I only have a couple of weeks to get to know him in a variety of situations before I need to commit to buy. Also, due to the ground being very wet at the yard, he is likely to be on limited turn-out for now so a bit of work might not hurt.

Given this information, is it reasonable for me to start some gentle hacking and schooling sooner rather than later and how soon would you think?

I know I'll have to see how he settles and play it by ear

Thanks

 

[rhino]

Given this information, is it reasonable for me to start some gentle hacking and schooling sooner rather than later and how soon would you think?

I know I'll have to see how he settles and play it by ear

Thanks

Absolutely! I usually don't ride them the day they move but will get on the next day. Sometimes will lunge first, depends on the age and experience of the horse.

If your pony is going on to restricted turnout and not doing a huge amount of work, make sure you reduce any hard feed it is getting! The last thing you need is a horse with too much energy all of a sudden I know too many people who have continued feeding while the horse spent most of its time in, and not being ridden, and then wondered why the horse exploded when they did eventually want to get on

Good luck, how exciting for you

 

[padderpaws]

Might be to your advantage that he is on limited turnout that way he can get to know you better. Give him a simple but effective routine and make sure that what ever you do set him up for success. Little by little. Gentle easy hacking that won't scare him. Go out with another horse to give him confidence. Good luck.

 

[NeverSayNever]

if the pony is experienced,does PC/RC etc etc then I would expect to be able to trailer it home and get straight on. Literally I did that with the last horse I bought who was coming from a competitive PC home,we went to collect him and I unloaded at this end and tacked up.

 

[be positive]

Assuming it is not a youngster that has done nothing get on and ride him, if he was going to a show he would not have weeks to settle in.

Most settle more quickly if given some regular work and being in a routine, they may not go as well as in their previous home so make a few allowances for him not knowing you and the yard in general but use the time you have sensibly to get to know as much about him as you can without going overboard and blowing his brain by doing too much.

 

[metalmare]

Thank you for the advice

Sorry I missed some key information- he's a 12 year old and currently not on any hard feed. He is, however, going from living out to being stabled with turn-out most days.


He knows his job, certainly in terms of hacking and basic schooling. And he's very easy to handle on the ground. He's enthusiastic under saddle... Just needs plenty of warning if I want to stop. Lots of transition work once he is settled, I think.

I would post a pic but can't honestly remember how!