Travelling 3yr old

teach

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I have a 3yr old warmblood who is going to be backed in a couple of weeks. I have no transport of my own, and have the option of either hiring a box to drive myself or paying someone to do it for me....but...he has been turned out with the same one horse since a foal, and they have a strong bond. Do I put him in a field with others now, and risk injury etc in a new group, or leave him as he is and cross my fingers when he is separated from him to go and be backed??
Any advice greatfully received..

Teach
 
Thanks for that....but I suspect that he would try and jump the fence to get to his friend. They were in at the weekend and when his friend was taken to the school, he was being very stressy and trotting round his stable!
 
I had this when my daughters pony was v. attached to my 4 yr old - they'd been together since 4yr old was a weanling. TBH a clean break is best - I wouldn't try separating them etc just now as when your 3yr old goes away that will be a big enough change for both of them.

Don't worry - he'll be fine
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As for moving them, do whatever causes you least stress so if it means paying someone else to do it then just do it
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Hi and welcome. I would start getting them used to being a apart - start for a minute and build up.

I have two 5 year olds who live together 24 x 7. I part them at least once a week to make sure they accept the other going away out of sight. Sometimes it may be for a day and other times for 10 mins.

The clydie mare is not bothered about the gelding being taken out, but I do give her a little feed in the field as he is removed - she would ignore her leg being sawn off if she had grub.

The cob gelding, squeals a bit at first, but does settle down to his feed after a little bit of pacing, then he is fine.

They both are very pleased to see the other return, but are happy to be with me and out of sight of other horses. I feel it is good for them not to be dependent on having horses around all the time. It means I can travel solo and also have them in the stable by themselves and not in a panic.
 
Thanks again to all....am going to speak to the owner of his friend about separating them tomorrow, and ring some transport companies to see how much they will charge...can't believe I'm gona be riding him soon, its been a long time coming!
 
Seperating them will be so much easier when he goes and it out of earshot. When they can hear eachother calling they will always wind eachother up and make it much worse. When they're completely apart they'll settle surprisingly quickly.
 
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