When to ride new horse?

SuperCoblet

SuperCoblet

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Getting horsey Saturday (yippee!).
Quite confused though, as even though this isn't my first horse we've always left them to settle in for a week before riding. Then going by a friend and seeing something in a book you should ride them within the first few hours of getting them and next day at the latest?
What should I do? Said horse has just turned 5 :) x
 
Depends on the horse- I usually ride after a day or so. Our grass is quite good and lots of horses after having a week on it with no exercise would be :eek: until they get used to it. If you'd rather wait wait- there is no rule book ;)

Have fun whenever you do ride him
 
this is something you will have to judge for yourself really, if the horse is happy and content arriving at the yard and you feel comfortable then you may as well ride the first day.
i've had horses where i have done different things, one horse i rode to the new yard, another i waited a day, and others where i've waited a week or 2. it all depends on the moment.
 
Ditto firewell.

I want a new horse to be settling into their routine and, if riding is going to be part of that, I get on with it so that it becomes part of life in their new home from the start.
 
I always ride the next day. I think it helps them to realise nothing is different, they are there to do the same job which really helps them settle. If necessary I would get someone more experienced to sit on him/her first

not quite the same example but:-
I took my horse to a new venue, it was the first time in the dark going anywhere, when I unloaded he was very nervous and bouncing around. I put his tendon boots on and instantly he settled, putting the boots on made him realise he was there to jump :D
 
personally I would ride straight away - even if it's just round the yard and walking for 15 minutes. Get someone to walk with you and just have that first sit on them it will relax you and not make the first proper ride so daunting x good luck!
 
I'm due to get my new addition next weekend. If all goes to plan he will be arriving on Saturday so will give him the day to settle in. Will definately be riding out on Sunday for a gentle hack (unless he is really unsettled and then I will give him more time before riding)
 
EVERY horse is different!!

Example: in the past two years I have sold two 3 year old fillies that were half sisters - both sold just backed and ridden away. It was first time off the farm for both of them - and they had been reared and backed in exactly the same way and had shown NO signs of being 'different' while here.

The first arrived at her new home and freaked out - very strung up, excited, stressed! Owner e-mailed me and I advised waiting - just leading her around, lunging her etc. Day 4 she'd settled down and was ridden happily. The other arrived, strolled onto the yard as if she'd been there all her life - and was ridden the next day!

LISTEN to the horse!!
 
I personally always give it a week, especially with a youngster that may have only lived at one yard all its life.
This is maybe because we have TB types, highly strung and sensitive but i like them to settle in to their stable/field/ meet new friends before i think about working them.
 
I dont really see the point in leaving it a week before you ride. I would personally hop on the day after and just do some very light work just so the horse can get used to riding in the arena etc... you could also take the horse for a little walk around the yard or so maybe a walk down a lane and back
 
Unless its been travelling for many hours I ride them the day they arrive - it should be no different than taking them to a show and riding in new surroundings.

Keep the work simple, lunge firt if you aren't sure how it will behave.
 
If the horse has only had a short journey to the new yard I will ride the day it arrives.

If a longer journey, I will ride the day afterwards.

If it is young or green, I will pop it on the lunge for 5 minutes to judge how tight I might need to sit!

I find it is best for the horse to get into a routine straight away and not give them time off.
 
Ok, lets look at it from the horses perspective.

I've lived with my mum for all these years, one day some stranger i don't know comes and collects me and takes me to a new home. I don't know any of the other horses, the stable is strange, the smells are different. This new 'mum' doesn't know me and i don't know her or trust her yet.

Basically its stressful for them to move and accept all these new things, nevermind being asked to work and concentrate straight away.
I like to them to settle in and for us to get to know each other for a few days first, after all, there is no rush!

*This is just what i'd do, i'm not saying anyone else is wrong :)
 
Forestfantasy - if the horse is in work this is not a good approach

For their perspective the work has suddenly stopped and they are in a new home. Probably cooped up in a stable for part / all of the day this time of year

Horses need to keep moving, so even if you don't want to ride for whatever reason you need to lunge / do something with them!
 
Mine arrive and are turned out in the day (even in winter) they go on the walker in the mornings , but i don't ride for at least 5 days.
I never said anything about keeping them cooped up/not moving. And wouldn't!

This is my way and i have never had a problem - just a well adjusted calm horse.
 
I wouldn't leave it too long, you are then likely to have a horse that is feeling a bit stir crazy as well as being in new surroundings etc.

With mine she arrived around midday, and that first day she had some turn out in the school to stretch her legs and roll etc and was lead in hand around both schools just to see the sights and experience the indoor and the mirrors.

The first full day I lead her round in hand to make sure she was fairly calm and not too spooky then hopped on and just rode her gently in the school. From then on she was ridden most days and settled in to ridden work just fine.
 
It does depend on the horse but I usually get on the next day, my latest horse arrived Sunday, I rode her Monday, she's been fine.
The only one I've left a bit longer was my connie who had a very long journey over from the Emerald Isle.

Good luck with your new one.
 
The next day unless it is recently backed or very green in which case I would lunge and perhaps long rein until I felt the horse was settled.
 
forestfantasy said:
Ok, lets look at it from the horses perspective.

I've lived with my mum for all these years, one day some stranger i don't know comes and collects me and takes me to a new home. I don't know any of the other horses, the stable is strange, the smells are different. This new 'mum' doesn't know me and i don't know her or trust her yet.

Basically its stressful for them to move and accept all these new things, nevermind being asked to work and concentrate straight away.
I like to them to settle in and for us to get to know each other for a few days first, after all, there is no rush!

*This is just what i'd do, i'm not saying anyone else is wrong :)
Click to expand...

As has already been said, if the horse is obviously worried, then you'd leave it to settle a day or two, but generally most horses are fine.

In my opinion, the horse learns to trust its new owner when it is ridden - this really applies to a confident rider - the horse takes confidence from them... I'm not suggesting working them hard, but a gentle hack - you can still get to know the horse while you're hacking.
 
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