Moving to new yard HELP

[Willhegofirst]

OK I am moving my boy to a new yard this month, now, he has been on current yard for six and a half years since a yearling, I have been on this yard which is very small six horses at the mo for twenty four years!! so I and somewhat nervous about this. The new yard is large 41 stables about sixty horses, my lad is also a bit of a stress-head, so any ideas, tips etc. to help make this move as stress free as poss for both of us, PLEASE.

[Trouble]

One thing I did was to mix up some wet bedding with his clean bedding and transport that to the new stable so it smelled of him when he moved in.

[lindaandrascal]

We gave ours a herbal calmer for a couple of weeks, they didnt seem to mind the move. Our shire X had been at our other yard since a yearling, shes 11 now and settlked very well in her new home.

[Willhegofirst]

Thanks for the Ideas, I had thought of a calmer, will have to get new bedding from new yard, but I guess I could ask if I can take some of his old bedding with us. It seems like a happy yard, stables don't come up very often, so hopefuly this will help both of us.

[lindaandrascal]

After renting a yard and grazing to ourselves for 11yrs i wasnt keen to go to a livery yard, but we all seem to quite enjoy it. If stables dont come up often thats probably a good thing!

[Trouble]

Just a bin liner full of 'slightly mankier than you'd normally like' would do the trick!

[Deleted]

When I moved my lad home my friend told me to bring a container of water from his old place as apparenty they can be very sensitive to changes in their water! I don't think he cared though, he was more interested in breaking out of his paddock to meet his new friends!

[rugaholic]

yep, bring some old bedding with you and mix that in before you bring horse onto yard, and also hang some of his rugs around stable too.

Also would avoid bringing him there when all the other horses are out (unless he's allowed to go straight out and there isn't a quaranteed period). Find out when other horses will be brought in to their stables so he will have company and won't panic being on his own and time your arrival for then.

[ladynowak]

I usually move all my stuff the day before so I get to know a few people and then move the horse first thing in the morning if you can turnout straight away. If you are able to turnout then I would boot him up in brushing boots and overreaches before leaving your current yard and box him over wearing them so that you don't have to faff about doing it when you arrive at the new yard.

I have never bothered with taking shavings to new yards. The horses tend to do a good job of making the new shavings smell of themselves within an hour! Just keep your routine the same, same buckets, same feed, same rugs, same exercise etc. The only thing I would do is take a few haynets of hay (or a couple of small bales if you have them?) from his old yard, just so that there isn't a huge change in his diet in the first few days.

Don't panic, he will be much calmer if you are. Horses tend to settle in much quicker if their routine isn't changed too much. Yes it is going to be new and exciting for him with lots more horses and people, but just take it in your stride and I am sure that he will.

[portiabuzz]

all good ideas above, so good luck to you all! xx

[anastasia55555]

Rescue Remedy for both of you :-)
and try not to panic, he might suprise you in the fact that he is not as worried as you!
i suppose also one thing to consider with a new horse going into a new place is whether he wears back shoes or not? if so i would possibly consider if you can, in removing for a little while, but does depend on the horse, which after 6+ years you know him well.

also give him some time to settle in before you ride, or expect to much from him, as it will probably be a bit of a sensory overload!

[Willhegofirst]

I have arranged to move his things on Friday the 15th and him first thing Sat. he hopefully will then go straight out, they like the owners of the horses new horses are going out with to have the chance to be there when new horse goes out. He is unshod so no problems there.
I have Anxicalm which has helped him in the passed, so will dose him up with that, and get some rescue remedy for me. They are in small herds no more than six, so hopefully he will settle in quickly.
Thanks again for the tips and good wishes.

[anastasia55555]

Good luck :-) sure everything will go well :-)

[Louise C]

Lots of good advice - good luck! Hope the weather doesn't hinder!