New horse when should i ride?

Question

i just bought a new horse he is a 12 year old gelding. When i rode him at the previos owners he did very well. WE just moved him to our barn how many days should i let him get use to his new surroundings before i ride him, and should a w/t/c right off or wait a few more days?? i just want to do what is best for my boy

Answer 1

Well as much excitement you may have give your horse the time it needs to get use to his surroundings.

If you have another horse then i suggest a couple days. Then take him out maybe to just graze and walk him around the barn to see all the things. If he is flares his nose at something maybe walk away from it and then the next day show it to him again and etc. like i said if you have another horse. Show your old horse the new horse dont rush it. dont let them get nose to nose cause it can cause a fight. But if you have only this horse. then maybe 2 or 3 days to settle. as long as he doesn't feel nervous. like i said i suggest showing him around the place.

Then work on just tacking him where you will from now on to a post or etc. after you walked him around the place just ride him around the places you shown. Then go to trotting and cantering etc. after a while.

Just dont give the horse stress on the new place. I actually just go another horse also. He is in quarantine due to i have other horses. But just do baby steps dont rush yourself or him. It will be easier on both of you.

Best of luck with your new horse.

Answer 2

It's definately good to let your horse get used to everything around him, especially if it is a completely new enviorment. You should still groom him everyday and walk him around and turn him out if possible. Let him get used to the barn and to you. The first day I got my horse we rode her like 6 hours after she was there and she definately was kind of freaked. Then we had to go on a four day vacation and we had someone let her out the other days and when we came back she was used to her new home. But it was definately really good to let her get used to everything. Give him 3 days to a week depending on how he is acting.

Answer 3

I would give him a day to settle in, then get on him as long as he seems comfortable. When we bring horses in to try, I often get on them the very first day, within hours of getting off the trailer. Also, giving him some constructive work will take his mind off things and help him get settled. And as far as how much to do, just play it by ear. If he seems really nervous or anxious, keep it at a trot. If he seems ok, go canter :)

Answer 4

I would take him on walks. Get to know the area and find out what spooks him and what doesn't. It would be good for both you and the horse to explore before riding. I would take two to three days of walks then I would ride him. Please be careful no matter what.

Answer 5

Let him get used to the surroundings, let him get used to you! Depending on how adaptable this guy is, it may take a few days or a few weeks...dont get on him in you have any issues on the ground with him like grooming or leading...fix stuff on the ground before getting a top him! Even if you dont have any issues on the ground, start by going out (if you can) everyday and grooming him and giving him some TLC & Loving :) You need him to start building a relationship with this guy...on the ground first for a few days  or a couple weeks...

Good Luck!

Answer 6

let him be in the surroundings for a week or so and during that one week period turn him out to a different paddock every day and let him stay in that new paddock for the whole day then do your night schedule then turn him out to a different paddock and repeat.

Answer 7

I would say 3. If he still seems anxious, leave him until he settles down. Lead him around the barn and arena first to let him get used to everything

Good Luck!

Answer 8

well what my friend was.. they didnt get their horse till late the first night. but she introduced him/walked him around the barn the first real day. she didnt ride him till the second/third day (i dont remember)

but id say introduce him the first day, just walk him around and let him get use to where he is. then give him the day to get use to it. if he's comfortable, id say the second day. if he still seems a little shy, walk him around again the second day, and take is slow, and ride him the third. you can w/t/c just take it slow.

Answer 9

Unless the horse is wired for sound because of a long trip, you can ride him when  he gets off the trailer. If you have already tried him out and rode him at his last place then you know what he is like so have at it.  If the horse has been on the trailer for 10 hours or so, well then I would give him a break.  I brought one home last year and it was like a 12 hour drive or so, and he was three.  He had the night to settle, the next morning he was saddled and rode for about half an hour or so.  Not a problem.    

Answer 10

if he is highly strung i would wait 4 or 5 days.Otherwise 1-2 days min

groom him as much as possible to establish a bond with him. Lead him around your yard and indoor school/outdoor school to get him used to where he will be exercised before riding. If you'll be hacking him out i suggest leading him on a short hack around the route you'd take.  

Answer 11

aw how exciting!! well don't start cantering right away, in fact hold up on the trot as well, just for the first couple days maybe tack him up and just walk him around in your hand so he is used to everything.. then the next day ride him at a walk only and if he is calm and controlled then go ahead and trot... at 12 years old i doubt he will get overly spooked or stressed BUT you never know, just go slowly and know your horse and listen to what he's telling you.. don't go to fast or your ruin things! just go slow and be patient!! =))

congrats on your new equine!!

Answer 12

Well you probably should give it a day or two to get used to the place before you should any of that stuff

Answer 13

Well first you should walk him around every where and let him  get the full affect and then start trotting him or pasing him or galloping etc.

When he gets good at that you should put your saddle on him and and get on him then have him walk with you on him then later let him walk with out you on him and have him trott etc. and then later gte him saddled up then start trotting him etc.

Good luck

Hope I Helped

Answer 14

i would give him a day or two to get used to his new home and surroundings. after that he will be fine i whould ride him the day after i bought him riding him will also get him used to you and also his surroundings

Answer 15

Take a few days to let him get used to the new surroundings. Take him for a few walks on the lead rope. Walk him in the areas where you are planning on riding so he will be a bit used to it before you even get on.

David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...

Answer 16

give the horse some tim. let him get use to his new surroundings and to you! any extra time you have try to spend it grooming and loving your new baby boy. take a lead rope and take him around the property so he isn't startled when u go to ride him in a new place! hope this helps =)

Answer 17

I was always told to give the horse at least a day to set in, when we got our horses we gave them 2 days and then lunged them for 2 days. Not only did that give the horse time to set in but when lunging it gave the horse a chance to understand my voice commands.

On the 2nd day i would always sit in with the horse, if i got tack then i would clean the tack and be chatting away to the horse. My husband thought i was mad but it does help you bond.

At our first livery yard i was shocked with some of the people. A lady had just got her new horse out of the box and started to clip it! The horse did rear up and striked her on the head, it didnt stay about to long. However it was totally her fault.

Answer 18

The answer to this depends on the emotionality of your horse and his resilience to new conditions. I'd recommend a day on his own in his new quarters. During that day, I'd walk him on halter around the property several times and let him look at and smell whatever he wants.

If you have an indoor arena, make especially sure he is comfortable with that. He is a lot less likely to get worried and bolt off in a low stimulus environment. If he wants to, let him roll around on the floor of the arena.

The next day I would start with lunging and otherwise leave him alone. Once he responds well to lunging, consider riding him at walk and trot, ideally indoors if he is comfortable with it. Keep taking him for walks and letting him see and hear everything around the property in your presence. This will help him bond with you and be a safe mount.

This worked well for my 7yo gelding a few months back and also for my wife's 8yo.