Tips on settling in

[ecarylloh]

As some of you know, I moved my girl from Cambridge to Bristol a few weeks ago. We were on a lovely DIY place, but last week some difficulties arose with a neighbouring yard which has meant that I'm having to move Fleur again. Tomorrow she's being taken up the road to a different yard, where hopefully she can stay permanently.

My problem is - she's an old mare (23) and before this move had been kept in the same field and stable for about 8 years, so this is a huge change for her. She had just started to settle in, and now I'm having to move her again. I thought it would be better to move her sooner, before she completely settles at her new place, than to let her settle and move her again a few months down the line.

Does anyone have any tips on making her feel less anxious on this second move? I'm worried she won't trust me again, as after this move it took her a good week to start 'talking' to me again (it was all turning bum towards me and not whinnying when I arrived as she usually would!).

Any advice gratefully received!

 

[LivingTheDream92]

i am a massive fan of stable toys! especially for her age. they are such a good distraction from her scary surroundings and if she's happier she's likely to find it easier to like where she is. try playing with her as well, my girl has a horse ball with nuts in and we have good little footie matches with each other

and if she's not a nibbley type, treats are always a good icebreaker, most horses cant say no. bribery is an option if you dont fancy treats then it doesnt have to be for long.

maybe take her for walks around the yard. you will be her constant and familiar object so if you are with her she might feel more comfortable and safer. horses cant hold grudges for long

how long have you had her? is she in work? and what a shame about the first yard not working out! must have been stressful! moving once is bad enough

 

[ecarylloh]

Oooh thank you for the ideas! I don't think I've ever tried using stable toys - I always got the impression that she would like at me like I was mad, but she has become a bit of a softy in her old age so maybe now's the time to try

I've had her for 11 years. She's been in very light work for the last year or so due to lameness but is much better now and she needs a lot of stimulus to keep her from boredom, so hopefully the move (and the fact that I now work from home so can see her lots more often) will help with that.

 

[LivingTheDream92]

they are the best. we put a horseball in my littluns stable when she had a tendon injury, she scared us silly when she started booting the thing but she never caused herself any harm. she now cant get enough of it, also we gave one to our new boy and he adores it. they go mad at the sound of the rattle when you walk to their stable, and their good in the field.

also tied up sweedes, likits etc always go down well