Settling new pony into livery yard

[Myma81]

Hiya

I want to make sure my potential new pony is as comfortable as possible when settling into her new home. I am aware I will need to keep her feed and daily routine as close to her current owner as possible to ensure she doesn't feel too anxious. But what other things should I consider?
Should I spend lots of time sitting with her, or leave her to settle?
Should I ride straight away? If not, how long should I wait?
How do I introduce her to her new field companion at the livery yard?
I know people have different ways of doing things, but I would like some suggestions from experienced pony owners

Cheers guys
Gem

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

You will need to be guided by your YO but I always put a new horse in a field alongside prospective companions with a sturdy barrier between them (not electric fencing). I prefer not to ride immediately as I want the horse to know where to return if we part company. I get them into my own/their companions routine asap but try to change feed over gradually. I don't 'make allowances' at the beginning as far as manners are concerned. I expect the horse to behave in a mannerly way from the beginning and will correct anything that I find unacceptable.

 

[L&M]

Firstly congratulations on becoming a horse owner. It is hard to give a definitive answer to your questions as so much depends on the ponies temperament......however:

- I would try not too fuss too much and leave her to settle, sitting in with her shouldn't be necessary, and if showing stress, potentially dangerous. Turn out rather than stable may be more settling for her.....

- I always ride new ones the first day, but then have owned and ridden horses for 30 odd yrs. Would there be anyone on your yard you could go for a gentle hack with? If you don't get to ride the first day I would try and do it as soon as you can, preferably with supervision to start with.

- Re introducing her to new field companion, your yard may have a certain policy? With ours we usually put them out together but have some electric fence between for a couple of day to monitor any adverse reactions, then if all is calm remove the fencing and keep a close eye initially.

Good luck and this forum is a very useful tool for new owners, although you will often find the conflicting opinions confusing!!!!!

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I think to be honest you should try and be guided by your new horse. Some will be very anxious in a new place with new horses and others won't be.

I've moved my mare twice (once to come to me and then a yard move) and also been to a stay over camp. She walks in to her new stable, has a roll and then tucks in to her hay without a care in the world.

In terms of meeting new companion I would try and get them to meet over a fence so they can have a sniff and size each other up but with a barrier in between! Saying that, I did just throw my mare out into a herd of 6 mares when I got her, they had a hooney around and she did a gorgeous extended trot that I have never been able to replicate in the school and then settled down to munch the grass.

 

[mini_b]

When this horse arrived he had been in previous home for 4 years and never left the yard in a trailer except for a vet visit (days before I bought him!)

he was very very stressy, turned him straight out next to a suitable friend (in a securely fenced paddock) as soon as he bounced off the box.
Pulled in with the other horses (this was mid winter) and popped in stable with a net.
was difficult for first week getting up and down from field to yard, went in right direction just a bargy toad.

took me a week to feel ok about sitting on him and we went for a short hack with a companion. I used to hack him for miles on his own when I was trialling him at his previous home.
He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when we returned to yard, like he knew what was expected now. The next time we went out we went same route on our own.

basically, he was not the horse I had tried (multiple times) when I brought him home. It took a few weeks of re-establishing absolutely no nonsense on the ground. Then about 3 months for him to fully settle down back to his normal self in both ridden and handling. He did start bogging off with me on hacks but we came out the other side and worked it out. (Not a bolter!!)

I was expecting to crack on with bringing him back into work over Christmas and I spent the week making sure he hadn’t escaped/dropped dead ?

If your horse is used to travelling/visiting different yards for events/lessons then they will settle much quicker than a horse that’s lead a sheltered life.

their whole world has been turned upside down, new owner, new surroundings. Imagine how nervous people get starting a job or going to parties etc.

good luck!

 

[Myma81]

Firstly congratulations on becoming a horse owner. It is hard to give a definitive answer to your questions as so much depends on the ponies temperament......however:

- I would try not too fuss too much and leave her to settle, sitting in with her shouldn't be necessary, and if showing stress, potentially dangerous. Turn out rather than stable may be more settling for her.....

- I always ride new ones the first day, but then have owned and ridden horses for 30 odd yrs. Would there be anyone on your yard you could go for a gentle hack with? If you don't get to ride the first day I would try and do it as soon as you can, preferably with supervision to start with.

- Re introducing her to new field companion, your yard may have a certain policy? With ours we usually put them out together but have some electric fence between for a couple of day to monitor any adverse reactions, then if all is calm remove the fencing and keep a close eye initially.

Good luck and this forum is a very useful tool for new owners, although you will often find the conflicting opinions confusing!!!!!

my post is a bit premature actually, she is being vetted tomorrow so I have my fingers crossed. I'm just doing my research in preparation as I love her already and want the best for her. Change can be scary, but I will get her through it.

 

[Shay]

Its impossible not to plan! I hope you have success with your vetting.

Does your YO practice any form of biosecurity? Many yards require that new arrivals are isolated from others for 10 - 14 days and / or that there is a negative strangles swab? Whatever your yard's rules on bio secutity are you are going to have to go with that which will dictate your settling arrangements to a great extent.

If you have any choice in the matter I would not turn out with a group initially - as others have said, over a stout post and rail fence only to minimise the risk of injury.

You are right to match her routine and feed as best you can initially, and then vary it to suit you over a week or so. If anything feed less calories / less hard feed than she is used to so that you don't have any feed related fizzzy behavour to content with. Some horses settle really well and quickly. Some take months so you will need to be guided by her.

Best of luck tomorrow - let us know how it goes!

 

[L&M]

my post is a bit premature actually, she is being vetted tomorrow so I have my fingers crossed. I'm just doing my research in preparation as I love her already and want the best for her. Change can be scary, but I will get her through it.

Maybe just don't overthink it - as other

 

[L&M]

Sorry posted too soon!!! Yes as I was trying to say try not to overthink things and be guided by how the pony is on arrival, and the yard.......hope vetting goes well and look forward to an update!

 

[Myma81]

It didn't work out sadly. Vet reported the back leg turning slightly inwards and they couldn't guarantee it wouldn't lead to going lame.
The hunt continues.

 

[Shay]

Bad luck. Its such a disappointment! Nothing truely passess a vetting - there are always comments. But if the vet doesn't think she would be suitable for the purpose you have asked for then you have to walk away. Better luck next time!

 

[L&M]

Oh bless, your perfect horse will be out there. Good luck!

 

[Winters100]

Sorry to hear that she failed the vetting - but well done for being sensible hand having her properly vetted. You have potentially saved yourself a lot of future expense and heartache.