A new horse in the stable: making the first days easier

When a horse comes to a new stable, everything is unfamiliar: people, smells, sounds and other horses. The first few days are therefore more important than any training.

First we give it time to get to know the space. The new horse first stays in a paddock next to the other horses, where it can see and smell them over the fence. We introduce it to the herd gradually, usually with one calm companion.

We make sure food and routine stay as close as possible to what it had before. A sudden change of diet on top of the stress of moving easily causes digestive problems. In those days the owner should visit often, but briefly and calmly.

I do nothing demanding with a new horse in the first days. We simply spend time together, walk and get to know each other.