New Horse

Last post 11-28-2011 2:02 PM by Major. 3 replies.
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  • 11-17-2011 2:20 AM

    New Horse

     I just recently bought a second horse. While I was deciding to buy him and visiting him at his old home he liked me really well. I moved him to where I board my mare on Sunday and he still seems a little uneasy. He still seems to like me and aside from having a few typical spats while we get used to eachother hasnt seemed to change his attitude toward me. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help him get used to his new home and start to feel more comfortable? I was also wondering how long it usually takes for a horse to adjust? I go out and visit and work with them for at least 45 minutes every day and spend a lot of time just grooming and talking to them. I dont remember it taking my mare very long to get used to me but she had a lot of issues that I had to spend a lot of time fixing, he doesnt have any really and he is a few years older than my mare. 

    ~//CCMarie//~
  • 11-17-2011 6:52 AM In reply to

    Re: New Horse

    About the best thing you can do to settle in a new horse is to hand walk him the entire fence perimeter of his new home... in both directions. If he wants to stop and look at something along the way, let him. Reassure him it's OK and then move on. Do the same thing on the return trip. You walk the fence in both directions so the horse can see everything with both sides of his brain. ~FH
  • 11-17-2011 7:03 AM In reply to

    Re: New Horse

     It can take some time for them to settle in.  The best thing you can do as he adjusts and just establish a routine and stick to it. Once he learns what to expect each day, he will relax much more.  I expect them to take a few weeks to relax, maybe a month to feel at home.



    Solaris -- 16 hh Appendix Quarter Horse = MY DREAM COME TRUE!
    We Are Flying Solo
  • 11-28-2011 2:02 PM In reply to

    Re: New Horse

    I agree with FL Horseman. Hand walk. Make sure the horse knows the fence line. Brush and groom and just plain talk to him. I think the more time you spend with him the faster he will adjust. And I also agree about getting a routine down. Your routine may not be his old routine so there will be some adjustment there. Use a round pen and put him through some paces so he gets used to YOU and also gets some exercise. Horses are creatures of habit and any difference in their normal "routine" will be upsetting to them. Rest assured he will adjust....he just needs some time for the adjustment. And you will adjust too! You might have to do things a bit differently with your new horse than you do with your first horse. So you might have to do some adjusting too! Do have fun!

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