Tips for the first couple of weeks with a new horse.

debsflo

debsflo

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So any ideas on helping a new horse settle and keeping me calm welcome. It was always going to be a challenge after having the same horse for 15 yrs and have just bought a 5 yr old. I am based on a yard for assistance and facilities and they are fab. She will be in a routine ie out in day in at night. Can't ride yet as only came yesterday and waiting for saddle fitter. She's in an American barn and is a bit overwhelmed with new noises etc .can I do anything else to make it easier for us both. Today I had a quiet walk in hand round the school as don't think she's ever been in one and she relaxed .I can lunge or use the walker or should I do little for the next few days. She is lovely but very green and very big and I want to fast forward a couple of weeks when we know each other better. Any tips or help welcome. Daughter is sharing but back at uni on and off for the next few weeks. Should say I am a worrier and she has not done anything wrong at all.
 
Who says you can't ride yet? :)

Get her into the routine you want her to be in ASAP.
Don't mollycoddle her, she'll be fine. She just needs to understand the routine and then will start to thrive.
 
Can you not borrow a saddle to ride?

My top tip with a new horse is always to get cracking asap - get them straight into their normal routine, and start to build a relationship and get their respect before they settle in too much and start testing the boundaries! I always ride the same day I bring them home, then the next and the next. I think it's important, as if you don't do anything with them for a week or two then they'll be fresh and excitable when you first get on and if you have any confidence wobbles at all it can set you off on the wrong foot.

Agree with above, do not molly coddle - be kind, but firm.
 
xspiralx said:
Can you not borrow a saddle to ride?

My top tip with a new horse is always to get cracking asap - get them straight into their normal routine, and start to build a relationship and get their respect before they settle in too much and start testing the boundaries! I always ride the same day I bring them home, then the next and the next. I think it's important, as if you don't do anything with them for a week or two then they'll be fresh and excitable when you first get on and if you have any confidence wobbles at all it can set you off on the wrong foot.

Agree with above, do not molly coddle - be kind, but firm.
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This, especially while waiting for the fitter, you need to be able to get on and try the saddles properly trying to get on a spooky fresh horse that you don't know, doesn't know you or the school is not a great idea, if you really cannot borrow one then get her working on the lunge and on long reins to keep on top of her.
 
Just get her in a routine asap. Make fuss, brushing, feet, lunging whatever, exactly as you want it but you need it to be consistent for a good few weeks until you start to change things.

Be matter of fact and let them have simple pleasures.
 
Saddle fitter coming next week but I can borrow one from Monday .Thought it would be good to settle for a couple of days but can lunge tomorrow. I have to order a happy mouth bit rather than changing everything she knows...but will aim to do things over the weekend.
 
Don't worry about doing the right thing debsflo just do what you need to do and have horsey fit in - they learn pretty quickly. Its only 7 days since my baby horse arrived and she knows to come up the field to be caught - she knows to move out of my way in the stable and will stand still when I open the door and am about to turn out..she knows the feet picking out routine and is getting her feet ready for me already. I collected her new saddle today after the saddler came out on Monday and left me with one to use whilst new one arrived so we have been hacking out with a nanny. New bit is ordered - we ve done a tiny bit of lunging - but would rather hack at the moment..til the end of summer anyway. I am just doing what I do and she seems to be responding well to it ...I bet your new horse will do too.
 
Thank you midlife crisis I feel a bit like a new mum again although I've owned horses for years it's feeling all very new and just want to get it right. Hopefully time will help it's unfortunate I haven't got a saddle but we can do other things for a couple of days .
 
I would crack on too if you aren't going to ride at least get lunging and used to the new environment. I would try and set a routine of doing something every day no matter how small keep her focused and as others have said sane for the saddle fitter
 
So im a week in now and on the whole starting to relax a little bit.
My new girl has blotted her copy book once by kicking out when having her feet done but has had a weekfull of new experiences.
She now is settled in her stable and field ,has been on the walker ,lunged although is v unbalanced at the moment so will take our time,has been in an arena 3 x, once with another horse and no issues at all.
Had a saddle fitted ,numerous rugs tried on for size ,several bits as i couldnt get the right size ,cross tied and had legs washed in a wash box and today hacked out with 2 others for the first time.
I am still waiting for something to go wrong but every day i am impressed ,she is not yet 5 but is confident and today gave a lead past something spooky to the horse nannying us.
Ive waited a long time for a kind horse to enjoy and am cautiously optimistic.
Tomorrow we are off on a longer hack so fingers crossed ive not tempted fate.
 
All that sounds really positive debsflo - fantastic. I have hacked out three times this week with my baby mare and she has behaved really well - tractors followed her...cars passed her in narrow lanes..horses trotted from behind to catch up..kennelled dogs barked..no problem. She hasn't been overly confident in taking the lead but I feel she will when she has become familiar with the territory. I'm still trying to find a bit which I think she feels comfortable in but I am very happy with how she is settling in. I am looking forward to reading how your girl gets on.
 
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