Problems settling in - Help

[Maclynky]

OMG I moved my horse a couple of days ago to a working livery yard on a trial basis. The only problem is he's really unsettled and very spooky - he's always like this with anything new but is OK when settled into a routine. I'm worried because he's only on a two week trial and I'm scared they may reject him due to his skittish behaviour whilst settling in - really don't want to go back to old yard as a few hard feelings when I left (not by me but by YO). Has anybody any experience of this with their horse. Hopefully if they say they can't use him on working livery they'll still keep him there on paying livery. I really hate the suspense and just want to know!!!:(

[popdog]

My friend and I recently moved our horses to a new yard. They both became spooky, staring at everything - jumping about and snorting.

Friend took her horse back to the old yard, I decided to stick it out. Within a week he went back to his old relaxed self, it was all just a bit new and exciting to him. Once he knew the routine he was happy again.

Is your horse still getting the same feed as he had at the old yard? Sometimes a change in feed can make them a bit silly...

I'm sure he just needs a bit of time to get to know the yard, the horses and the routine. If the people running the yard know about horses then they will understand that he might be a bit skittish for a little while :D

[Maclynky]

Thanks - it's great to know I'm not the only one. I just hope my lad makes the grade as I don't get much time to ride and on working livery he would be ridden every day. Did it only take a week for your horse to settle down - last time I moved mine it took a couple of months:mad:

[popdog]

My horse is pretty laid back, he usually settles in a couple of weeks. My last horse used to take at least a month, usually more to settle in.

They're all so different ;)

I usually walk my horse in-hand in his bridle all around the yard and let him see and sniff everything. If he gets scared I stand between him and the scary thing and give him a pat and a polo.

Is your boy being turned out with other horses? Perhaps you could have him turned out with just one other friendly horse first so he can form a bond before going out with the herd. I usually do this for mine and it seems to help.

Have you spoken to the YO and asked if he can go on normal livery until he settles in?

Hope all goes well and he settles in soon :)

[Maclynky]

Thanks. The working livery horses tend to stay in most of the time during the winter they then live out in the summer. I haven't asked them yet about him going on normal livery for a couple of months but have decided that's what I'll do if he doesn't pass trial, so thanks for the suggestion. I know that when he settles down he's great, still a bit sharp so not for the novices but he is honest and safe. Hopefully they'll let me as I don't think either of us can cope with another move!

[Maclynky]

Livery Yard have said they don't want my boy on working livery as he's not a weight carrier being of a slight build, apparently they need a horse that can carry 15 stone or more - I did tell them size etc prior to trial so am a little confused by this. They have agreed to keep him on paying livery for time being but have said that this is only temporary until I sort myself out. What would you do sit it out and wait and see if they'll take him after christmas or start looking for something else now. It has crossed my mind that they're probably not so busy at this time of year and they could be thinking they may as well have him on paying livery as they know I am stuck for somewhere to move him to - or is this just me being paranoid??

[Guest]

Thats a bit blimin annoying isn't it. If you told them what your horse was like before you moved him they have messed you about really.
I know what it's like to be in such an uncertain position with your horse, being unsettled and not knowing where you will end up.
I'd personally never put my horse on working livery but provided you are happy with the arrangement and you really don't have any other option then it is probably the best thing.
If you can stay where you are then it's probably for the best, 2 moves in 1 week have taken there toll on my boy, but we'll get back to how things were eventually.
If you really do have to move him them can you take him to another yard and maybe get someone to share him with you so that the exercise part is still taken care of. That way he won't have loads of different riders.
Whatever you decide I hope it works out.
The thing that was in the back of my mind was that I needed to get him settled in a permenant home asap and I didn't think our temporary home was completely suitable due to being so far from home so I really raced around and looked at every livery yard in the area, in the long run hopefully it's been for the best.

[Tots N Dots]

I suppose there are people that wouldn't agree with what I did but my previous horse was very ott, I actually moved her from home to livery to see if she was happier, I spoke to my vet and got some herb thing called "placid" she was on it for a month and double dosed on it for the 1st week, it did help, you can buy it at most places, think it is made by Dodson and Horrell, it was just for while she settled in,

[Maclynky]

Thanks - I feel a little better today as have decided to sit tight. Have spoken to them today and they say he's started to settle so fingers crossed, I do feel messed around and have hardly slept for a week but have to now make the right decision for me and my boy - don;t want to rush into anything - Thanks for all your replies.