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Likewise, if you plan to change the type of hay you will give to your new horse, do this slowly to be on the safe side.
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It can also have a negative effect on their overall well-being. Horses can have quite sensitive stomachs and changing their food too quickly has been linked to health issues such as colic and laminitis.
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The familiarity can help to ease any anxiety your horse may be feeling.Īvoid changing your horse’s feed, but if you have to, do it gradually to minimise the risk of digestive upset. How much would he be eating throughout the day? What were the brands of the food given? In what quantities? Once you have gathered this information, stock up on a few bags of this ready for your horse’s arrival. Avoid changing feedĪsk your horse’s previous owner about his existing feeding regime.
#My new horse full#
Plus, the sooner you start the policy, the sooner full cover will be in place as outlined in our ‘ When is best to insure?‘ article. Why? It will cover any accidental, external injuries the horse sustains, which can be quite likely when they’re running around getting their bearings. This is a time where your horse will likely test you – in a larger field, you may find yourself chasing after him more than bonding with him!Įnsure you have a horse insurance policy in place from the moment you have an insurable interest in the horse. This will give you time to build trust with your horse and give him a few days to adapt to the new environment. To avoid this, put your horse into a stable or a small paddock to begin with if possible. Horses are flight animals and being placed in an unknown environment can trigger a natural instinct to run away – even the calmest of horses may fret after being placed in unfamiliar settings. Not only would a virus such as equine flu put the horses in the yard at immediate risk, but the implications of then shutting down the yard to contain the virus can be extremely costly to the welfare of the horses and employee happiness.” Prepare for all scenariosĭespite vetting and time spent with your horse before the big move, you can never be sure how he will act in new surroundings. This is vital for my yard to keep all the horses happy and healthy, and the business running normally. KBIS event rider Sasha Hargreaves added, “be ready to quarantine the new horses. To reduce the risk of spreading disease, ensure that any equipment used on existing horses has been thoroughly cleaned. It will also help you to decide where is best to place him on arrival, so find out as much information as possible from the person you’re buying the horse from.įinally, have equipment such as grooming kits and head collars ready. Knowing your horse’s previous routine can help speed up the time it takes to settle him into his new environment. If your horse will be out in the field, double-check all of the fencing is safe and secure and that any companions and neighbours are where they should be. Unsettled horses are likely to shuffle and roll, so to avoid them getting cast, create banks around the perimeter of the stable. If you are stabling your horse, bed down the stable and have any horse licks and toys put in place (these can be a good distraction for a restless horse). Organisation is key when moving your horse into his new home and it is helpful to have things ready for his arrival. Fortunately, there are certain steps you can take to minimise your horse’s distress and help him to settle into his new home quickly. Bringing your new horse home can be a hectic and stressful time, not only for you but for your new horse too.īeing placed in an unfamiliar environment can unsettle even the calmest of horses and you may find your horse displays some undesirable behaviours.
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