BigRed
Well-Known Member
Does anyone have any comments about how to get a horse settled that has previously come from a big yard and now lives at a small, home yard. Do they ever settle ?
Small yard/Big yard
- Thread starter BigRed
- Start date
FleabittenT
Well-Known Member
Mine settled surprising quickly. Moved from huge yard (100+ liveries) to current yard (under 10 horses).
Horse actually changed a lot over the first year or so at smaller place - used to be a fairly stressy mare, box walked, never settled if stabled alone, would be bolshy if allowed. I think the constant comings & goings on the bigger yard stressed her out quite alot. Now never box walks, snoozes away in stable alone, generally a 'happier', more settled horse, much more pleasant to be around
I think having her out in a herd helps (of 4), I don't think she'd have coped moving onto individual turnout. Having a stable that looks out onto the yard (rather than in a barn) also helps, as does establishing a now routine asap
I guess I got lucky in that the smaller set-up suits her better...
Horse actually changed a lot over the first year or so at smaller place - used to be a fairly stressy mare, box walked, never settled if stabled alone, would be bolshy if allowed. I think the constant comings & goings on the bigger yard stressed her out quite alot. Now never box walks, snoozes away in stable alone, generally a 'happier', more settled horse, much more pleasant to be around
I think having her out in a herd helps (of 4), I don't think she'd have coped moving onto individual turnout. Having a stable that looks out onto the yard (rather than in a barn) also helps, as does establishing a now routine asap
I guess I got lucky in that the smaller set-up suits her better...
NeedNewHorse
Well-Known Member
Mine did it the otherway around, small yard to bigger yard and settled instantly.
I think it will just depend! It will be a different way of life a bit if they are used to the hustle and bustle and of course lots of horses everywhere.
That's why my slightly insecure horse settled quicker in the bigger yard, as she had horses coming out of ears and just felt right at home, even the stabling had those bars so she could always see horses, plus when schooling she could see them from both schools in the field and just settled so much more.
If you know your horse well, try and replicate as much as you can the old home into the new home.
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I think it will just depend! It will be a different way of life a bit if they are used to the hustle and bustle and of course lots of horses everywhere.
That's why my slightly insecure horse settled quicker in the bigger yard, as she had horses coming out of ears and just felt right at home, even the stabling had those bars so she could always see horses, plus when schooling she could see them from both schools in the field and just settled so much more.
If you know your horse well, try and replicate as much as you can the old home into the new home.
x