unsettling for him and even scary; even if he seems calm and to be taking it in his stride, there will be things going on in his head that may only come out after a few weeks if this isn’t addressed. 

Countless owners get their horse, put him in the field or stable then start work the next day just as they mean to go on, then weeks later decide he has ‘changed’ and isn’t doing things right for some reason. What has often happened is that the horse had accepted his lot for the time being, while he found his feet and ‘checked the place out’, but then felt more and more insecure as he was unable to feel properly established.   This could have left him open to being distressed about any small issue, made into a bigger problem by an impatient owner.

When the horse arrives at the new yard, it is important to let him have a good look around, and to feed him for the next few days as he was fed at the previous home.  Any sudden changes in diet are very unsettling and can be dangerous for his digestion.  He should be kept separate from the others at first, but where he can see them and they can get to know each other, such as over a fence.  Close attention should be paid to how they interact, and care taken that the fence remains intact and no hooves can get caught in it if there are any altercations.

The new horse should not have too many questions asked of him at this stage; remember, he has just lost all his friends, his owner, his favourite spot to lie in, his favourite shelter etc.  He will be feeling unsure and scared, even if outwardly you can’t see it.  You should spend time with him, in his daily routine, getting to know him and letting him get to know you without telling him to do too much – apart, perhaps, from making sure he understands that you are the leader in your little herd of two.  This should not mean that you are bossy or aggressive with him; the best leaders in a natural herd are the ones with a quiet assurance amongst the others, that what they say goes.  They are the leaders the other horses like to be around.  They will accept a bossy leader, but won’t be happy about it!  Try to establish as settled a routine as you can; introduce any changes gradually and try to spend time with him at about the same time each day.

Find out over the next few days who your horse buddies up with; there will usually be some pairing up and you can make use of this.  Arrange with the owner to go on a hack together, so that the new area can be taken in by your new horse with a friendly pal to guide him round.  This will make it less scary, because he at least has his friend with him.  Next, you will want to take him on his own, on the same route.  Over the next few weeks, try to do any new route with another horse in the herd, then repeat it on your own.  This will build his confidence, as he will be familiar with the area and with you, who he is coming to trust and look to as the leader in your little ‘herd’ of two.  As you build on this over time, you will have a trustworthy, confident horse who looks to you for the answers but who can take over if necessary.

All this should take several weeks, not days; you will have plans and dreams for what you both can start doing, but time taken now should ensure that you spend the rest of the time enjoying those plans together, rather than trying to resolve the behavioural issues that have arisen instead.