Youngster's (4yrs) first night in ever

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Berkeley

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My boy was brought in last night for the first time ever as part of his new routine. Before he was out 24/7.

I went to see him after work last night and he was not a happy bunny. He kept looking round his stable thinking what the hell was going on. He looked quite sad bless him. I felt sad for him (and started to have second thoughts about this whole idea).

I went to see him first thing this morning – he seemed brighter. He had eaten all his hay but he definitely didn’t lie down. I am hoping that he will get used to his routine and settle in soon.

His back ankles were swollen this morning which I hope is a temporary thing – my mare sometimes has this but they go down pretty soon after she is turned out for the day. I am hoping the same will happen for him.

Oh I do worry – I think I will get him some stable toys to keep him occupied.
 
Bless him. He will soon get used to it - any change of routine will upset them to some degree. When I first turn mine out in spring overnight my gelding doesnt sleep for about a week I dont think - he is totally knackered! Get him a snack-a-ball and fill it with high fibre nuts or similar - mine love theirs and it keeps them entertained for a good while
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Stop worrying, give him a few more days and I'm sure he will settle more and get used to his new routine
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My yearling will in at night for the later part of winter and I know she is going to throw he toys out of the pram until she gets used to it
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Oh guys thank you so much! That's so nice of you all to day that. I am feeling much better! He is like my baby - god knows what I will be like when I actually have human kids haha!
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Perhaps you shouldn't let him run out of hay. Having been out all his life it will be frightening for him to be locked in a room with no food and no understanding of when any more will arrive.
 
He will be fine, I'm sure. Ari is five and when I bought him in the summer he had never been in a proper stable in his life (I didn't find out until later!). He was good as gold as he could see FB through the partition bars, but I don't think he lay down the first couple of nights and even now he often stands listening to the outside world through the ventilation slot in the barn wall. He's in and out like an old hand these days, but he does get filled pasterns if he is in too long - so they are out as much as possible. I think it is a question of them getting used to it.
 
Your youngster will be ok they normally take a few nights to settle down as cyptrays said make sure he has plenty of hay.
 
I have started stabling my 18 month old filly at night and the first night it was a bit of a disaster, runny poo everywhere and walking about her bed although managed to eat plenty inbetween.
Had her second night in last night and she was totally different, seemed to pick up on the routine and was quite happy.
She has ad lib hay out of a corner manger and can see the others as the stables have grilles inbetween and the other two she is in with are very calm.
First morning she came out like a rocket to be turned out but this morning she was a poppet and walked out quite calmly.
I would let yours settle a bit, mine has been out 24/7 since I got her in April and never known anything else so like yours it is all a bit new.
I am sure yours will settle soon so don't worry (although I know we do!)
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I'm sure your youngster will be fine, my boy (like Mrs_Wish) completed trashed his stable the first night he was in and I had to remove over half of a completely new bed.

He's now started coming in for the past week and is much much better. No where near as messy and I've noticed, doesn't each as much hay. First couple of times I put loads in and he ate it all, now I think I can just give him one hay net as he seems to have settled and just eat when he wants to now, rather than scoffing.

They do settle and it doesn't take very long, you'll soon be saying goodnight to a pony ready for bed and good morning to one still half asleep hehe!
 
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