10 Quick Tips About Relocating With Horses
If you love your horses, but need to move to a bigger place, or just fell in love with a new location, you might be scared of the relocation. It is stressful enough for humans to get used to a new environment, but for horses, it is even worse. You will want to reduce the impact of moving on your horse, and safely transport them to your new home. Make sure you read through the below tips and organize your smooth move for you and your four-legged companions, as well.
1. Have the Shelter Ready
Whenever you move with horses, you will consider whether there is a ready stable in the location you want to move, and if you can safely keep your horses close. When you are looking for land for sale, you need to look for those that have shelter for the horses and safe stables. You also need to make sure that there is enough water nearby and clean taps for watering your horses. You might be busy with moving house for a few days, and you don’t want to keep on going over to the outdoor horse arena to fill up the drinking water.
Once you have moved with the horses, you might want to make sure that they are placed into the arena right after they get out of the horse trailer, so they can explore freely. If you don’t let them see their new environment, but put them in their night shelter, they will be confused and disoriented.
Whenever you move with horses, you will consider whether there is a ready stable in the location you want to move, and if you can safely keep your horses close. When you are looking for land for sale, you need to look for those that have shelter for the horses and safe stables. You also need to make sure that there is enough water nearby and clean taps for watering your horses. You might be busy with moving house for a few days, and you don’t want to keep on going over to the outdoor horse arena to fill up the drinking water.
Once you have moved with the horses, you might want to make sure that they are placed into the arena right after they get out of the horse trailer, so they can explore freely. If you don’t let them see their new environment, but put them in their night shelter, they will be confused and disoriented.
2. Organize a Professional Horse Carrier and Make Sure Your Horses are Watered
You must get in touch with a professional horse transport company that knows about the needs of horses, and provide the care you would give them during the drive. Make sure that they keep the horses safe and allow them enough space, check on them regularly, and water them. You must talk to several horse carriers and check out their feedback, even ask for recommendations to make sure that your horses will be looked after.
Horse companies should have professionally trained personnel who know how to deal with anxious and agitated horses, and can calm them down on the road. The last thing you want to happen is let your horses injure themselves because they are stressed.
3. Prepare for the Change of Temperature
If you are moving to a colder area, or a valley, you should get the woolies out for your horses, Make sure that the horses are not cold, and check the temperature in the horse carrier. Horses can easily over ventilate and need to be watered regularly.
Never make the outside temperature change have an impact on your horses’ health. Try to maintain the temperature they are used to. If your new shelter is colder at night than the old one, arrange heating. If it is warmer, make sure that there is adequate ventilation and enough water for them for the night.
4. Keep the Same Food for a While
To reduce the number of changes your horses need to face in a short period of time, you might want to save some hay and grains from the old farm. This way, they will feel at home and you can make sure that they trust you to provide for them. It will also help maintain a healthy digestion for your horses.
Only introduce new food items and new hay regularly, mixed with the old food. Make sure that the water is similar to the old one, or get a water filter. Monitor the digestion of your horses to make sure they are happy inside and don’t suffer from indigestion or constipation.
5. Secure Your New Yard
The first thing you want to do before you move with your horses is to secure your yard and erect safe fences. While some dog owners believe that simple wires are enough, you cannot trust agitated horses, It is better to be safe than sorry, and you only have to get the job right once. If your current hedge or fence is not strong enough, your horses can escape and get injured in the first few days.
Walk around the perimeter of your new land and look for the weak areas of the fence. You should fix these immediately, before the horses arrive. This way, you can prevent them from escaping, and you don’t have to keep them inside locked up just because it is not safe in the arena.
6. Take It Slow
Allow your horses time to get used to their new environment. Don’t force them to go for a walk or jump over hurdles in the first few days. Don’t even try to ride them. Horses are intelligent animals, and will process the changes over time. They need time to explore and trust their new environment.
You should make sure that your horses can freely roam an area every day, and expand their yard each day to let them get used to more space. At night, you might want to stay with them for a while until they settle, to make sure that they are not frightened by the weather or unusual noises.
If there are new animals on the farm you move your horses to, delay introducing them to the horses for a few days at least. Dogs can stress horses out, and cats can annoy them. Wait until the horses are settled and happy in their new environment before you introduce more changes to them.
7. Stay Around a Lot
To help your horses settle in their new home, you might want to reassure them that you will stay around. Visit the horses at regular times each day, so they will be expecting you. Make sure that you stick to the same feeding and cleaning schedules, so the horses get used to the new routine. You don’t have to spend every minute at the stables, though. You simply have to make sure that the horses know you are around and they can rely on you.
8. Let Them Explore Alone
While you are happy being with your horses, they might need some space. Equestrians are some of the happiest people in the world, thanks to the unconditional love and commitment they get from their horses. This, however, doesn’t mean that you need to keep the horses close 24 hours a day. Give them a little space to taste different grass and look around their new home.
Horses are curious animals, and they love learning new things. You can help them by creating new visual experiences for them. Move them from one area to the next every few days. This way you don’t have to let them free on the field, or ride them, and they can still see the new location from different angles.
Unless you must, don’t create an outdoor horse arena, until you find out which spot is your horses’ favourite. They will surely have a place they prefer, and if you only set up temporary arenas until you identify their best place, you will do them a huge favour.
9. Stick to the Old Routines
Once your horses have settled down a little in their new home and are calm enough, you can start reintroducing old habits. You can remind them of the old place by going out from the stables at the same time every day and settling for the night at the same time, too. Feeding times should also be introduced according to the old habits.
If you go out horse riding every other day, you should start doing this again after a few days, when the horses are already settled. Take it slow and make sure that the horse is ready before you start off. This way, you can avoid scaring the horse and putting them off leaving their shelter.
10. Take Your Horses’ Temperament into Consideration
It is important that you tailor the move to the needs of your horses and their character. Some horses are fine getting used to a new space, others become threatened, and stressed. When you move with horses, you need to listen to their reaction to the change and try to do everything to calm them down.
Some horses will be fine travelling and have their own methods of calming down. Others get scared easily. Some are fine travelling with other horses, while others might become aggressive, As an equestrian, you might already know your horses well enough to decide on the form of transportation, shelter, and gradual introduction of changes. Listen to your horse's’ behaviour and pick up the clues.
Moving home with horses can be a challenging task. You can never tell for sure how your horse will behave during the transport and in their new home. Be patient and consistent. Make sure that your horses know that you are looking after them still, and avoid putting them through unnecessary stress. Keep their temperature, food, and routine the same as much as possible, and the move will be easier for you and the horses, too.
You must get in touch with a professional horse transport company that knows about the needs of horses, and provide the care you would give them during the drive. Make sure that they keep the horses safe and allow them enough space, check on them regularly, and water them. You must talk to several horse carriers and check out their feedback, even ask for recommendations to make sure that your horses will be looked after.
Horse companies should have professionally trained personnel who know how to deal with anxious and agitated horses, and can calm them down on the road. The last thing you want to happen is let your horses injure themselves because they are stressed.
3. Prepare for the Change of Temperature
If you are moving to a colder area, or a valley, you should get the woolies out for your horses, Make sure that the horses are not cold, and check the temperature in the horse carrier. Horses can easily over ventilate and need to be watered regularly.
Never make the outside temperature change have an impact on your horses’ health. Try to maintain the temperature they are used to. If your new shelter is colder at night than the old one, arrange heating. If it is warmer, make sure that there is adequate ventilation and enough water for them for the night.
4. Keep the Same Food for a While
To reduce the number of changes your horses need to face in a short period of time, you might want to save some hay and grains from the old farm. This way, they will feel at home and you can make sure that they trust you to provide for them. It will also help maintain a healthy digestion for your horses.
Only introduce new food items and new hay regularly, mixed with the old food. Make sure that the water is similar to the old one, or get a water filter. Monitor the digestion of your horses to make sure they are happy inside and don’t suffer from indigestion or constipation.
5. Secure Your New Yard
The first thing you want to do before you move with your horses is to secure your yard and erect safe fences. While some dog owners believe that simple wires are enough, you cannot trust agitated horses, It is better to be safe than sorry, and you only have to get the job right once. If your current hedge or fence is not strong enough, your horses can escape and get injured in the first few days.
Walk around the perimeter of your new land and look for the weak areas of the fence. You should fix these immediately, before the horses arrive. This way, you can prevent them from escaping, and you don’t have to keep them inside locked up just because it is not safe in the arena.
6. Take It Slow
Allow your horses time to get used to their new environment. Don’t force them to go for a walk or jump over hurdles in the first few days. Don’t even try to ride them. Horses are intelligent animals, and will process the changes over time. They need time to explore and trust their new environment.
You should make sure that your horses can freely roam an area every day, and expand their yard each day to let them get used to more space. At night, you might want to stay with them for a while until they settle, to make sure that they are not frightened by the weather or unusual noises.
If there are new animals on the farm you move your horses to, delay introducing them to the horses for a few days at least. Dogs can stress horses out, and cats can annoy them. Wait until the horses are settled and happy in their new environment before you introduce more changes to them.
7. Stay Around a Lot
To help your horses settle in their new home, you might want to reassure them that you will stay around. Visit the horses at regular times each day, so they will be expecting you. Make sure that you stick to the same feeding and cleaning schedules, so the horses get used to the new routine. You don’t have to spend every minute at the stables, though. You simply have to make sure that the horses know you are around and they can rely on you.
8. Let Them Explore Alone
While you are happy being with your horses, they might need some space. Equestrians are some of the happiest people in the world, thanks to the unconditional love and commitment they get from their horses. This, however, doesn’t mean that you need to keep the horses close 24 hours a day. Give them a little space to taste different grass and look around their new home.
Horses are curious animals, and they love learning new things. You can help them by creating new visual experiences for them. Move them from one area to the next every few days. This way you don’t have to let them free on the field, or ride them, and they can still see the new location from different angles.
Unless you must, don’t create an outdoor horse arena, until you find out which spot is your horses’ favourite. They will surely have a place they prefer, and if you only set up temporary arenas until you identify their best place, you will do them a huge favour.
9. Stick to the Old Routines
Once your horses have settled down a little in their new home and are calm enough, you can start reintroducing old habits. You can remind them of the old place by going out from the stables at the same time every day and settling for the night at the same time, too. Feeding times should also be introduced according to the old habits.
If you go out horse riding every other day, you should start doing this again after a few days, when the horses are already settled. Take it slow and make sure that the horse is ready before you start off. This way, you can avoid scaring the horse and putting them off leaving their shelter.
10. Take Your Horses’ Temperament into Consideration
It is important that you tailor the move to the needs of your horses and their character. Some horses are fine getting used to a new space, others become threatened, and stressed. When you move with horses, you need to listen to their reaction to the change and try to do everything to calm them down.
Some horses will be fine travelling and have their own methods of calming down. Others get scared easily. Some are fine travelling with other horses, while others might become aggressive, As an equestrian, you might already know your horses well enough to decide on the form of transportation, shelter, and gradual introduction of changes. Listen to your horse's’ behaviour and pick up the clues.
Moving home with horses can be a challenging task. You can never tell for sure how your horse will behave during the transport and in their new home. Be patient and consistent. Make sure that your horses know that you are looking after them still, and avoid putting them through unnecessary stress. Keep their temperature, food, and routine the same as much as possible, and the move will be easier for you and the horses, too.
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