First horse?

Question

We are collecting my first horse in about a week and it is of course, going straight to a liver yard where it has to stay in the stable fpr the first couple of days.

As this is my first horse.. I am unsure about what to do for the first 48 hours of having it. How long should I leave it before I ride? Should I spend his first couple of days just grooming and fussing over him?

What did you do when you bought your new horse to its new home?

Thank you.

Answer 1

i think your plan is great.

groom him, walk him around, let him get used to his surroundings before riding. i did this with my horse, while my friend didnt when she got her first horse, and i noticed my horse settled in better than hers.

Answer 2

Make sure you get the passport for the horse when you pick it up.  It is a legal requirement for the owner to give it to you at point of sale. You then have 30 days to send it in for updating.  Also get a receipt with the full name and address of the seller (this should be the same as in the passport)  If it isn't BEWARE.  I hope you've had him vetted prior to buying.  I think you would do well to just groom and fuss for the first day or two but you should be able to start riding him very soon, just make sure your not alone for the first couple of times.  If he has to stay in a stable for the first couple of days I would recommend lunging before you get on to take the edge off him (he'll be a bit buzzy after being kept cooped up)  Check with the previous owner what she has been feeding him and try not to be too different at first.  Changes to feed should be done gradually.  However if she's been feeding him oats and your going to keep him in a stable for a couple of days he'll be like a bottle of pop ready to explode!!! Enjoy and try to be as calm as possible, I know it's all exciting but calm and patient will be the way forward.

Answer 3

take it for walks around your yard, just so it can get used to its surroundings, groom, make a fuss, but dont let it get away with things, you need to show leadership because horses need a leader, this is how they will respect you.

Answer 4

Don't leave it too long before you ride - most horses are more lively in strange surroundings and it will have lots of pent up energy if it's staying in...

First day let it settle in, second day ride it.... might even be an idea to walk it round/lunge it first.

Answer 5

First, Congrats on your first horse! Second, my answer!

After you bring him home put him in his stall. Although you'll want to fuss with him and whatnot, it is actually better to give him a while to find out this is home. Go home and the next day is when it will be better for the TLC and love and care and grooming and ect. Take him for a walk and talk to him softly. Feed him treats. You'll know when he feels "at home." This is different for every horse. It could take two days, it could take two weeks. Wait until he seems to have moved in to ride him. And even then, take it slow, probably ring work only for a while before you do anything too overly exciting. Have fun wiht your new horse! Hope I helped!

Answer 6

i think you should spend a few days just bonding with him. grooming, walking him around his new surroundings, turnout during the day... when we brought my horse home, i spent a lot of time with her but didn't tack up until the fifth day because i wanted her to be used to everything around her, and i wanted her to know it was okay to trust me on her in an unfamiliar place and ring.

Answer 7

leave it for the 1st day, let it settle in and get used the the new surrounding, just mess with him and groom him and spend time with him, allow a bond to form and on the 2nd day ride him, then you can get a real feel of how he is, and also while you are riding you are forming a bond. don't leave it too long before riding him.

Answer 8

give your horse a few days to settle in as it can be very stressful moving to a new home. groom, get him/her used to you. When you ride out for the first time try to go with a friend as your horse may be unsure of his/her new surroundings. it may take a bit of encouragement from another horse to walk past scary, new objects. good luck

Answer 9

If you're immediately moving your new horse, then give him a couple of days off to get used to the new surroundings.  Take him for walks, give him treats and LOTS of brushing and TLC.

Answer 10

wen i first got my horse i left him couple of days in the field to get used to things,and brought him out and groomed him and took him for walks,i rode on about the 3rd day i had him.