Moving barns - settling in, routine, what is best?

[tpup]

I had posted a few weeks ago about moving my horse to a smaller barn. Well, we move this weekend and I am very excited. I wanted some advice as he has not been off the farm since I got him almost 2 yrs ago, except for riding out to the trails and fields. He is older, quiet, very "been there done that". Not herd bound but was very barn sour when I got him (under saddle). He has been with the same herd of 12+ geldings the entire time, and adjacent to the mares. Same routine, schedule, feeding for a long time. I am very fortunate that I can visit or ride many days each week so one constant will be me :)

New barn has only 5 total horses. He will intially be turned out with one other horse and adjacent to 2 others. Pony will be joining them in a few weeks. Beautiful barn and stall. Trails immediately behind property. Area next to barn to longe, and ring is 2 properties away. 3 minute walk or ride at the most.

He'll move mid day - do we put him in stall with hay which is where the other horses will be during day? (turnout is at night right now although in his current barn, he has 24/7 turnout if the weather is not unbearably hot...) Should I take him on a walk to hand graze (we do this often at current barn when I don't have time to ride...)? Walk him to the ring and back? Barn owner is on site and very, very knowledgeable so I know she'll have a plan :) But knowing my horse, I feel it's best for me to walk him a bit around the property, fields or perhaps even lunge him a bit the day of the move.

I am probably overthinking everything but I'd love some ideas. I know he may surprise me and not be as calm and quiet as I know...although in his prior life he was shown lightly and he trailered and adjusted fine traveling to PPE vet when I bought him and traveling to my current barn.

What should the plan be? Thanks!!

[Mr.GMan]

I vote walk him around a little and turn him out at first. I just moved my guy home to where there are 2 others. Walked him around the fence line and let him go. He surprised me with his calm attitude :-). Good luck and congrats on the move.

[monkeytree]

My guy was very stressed about his new environment for about a week. I tried to keep up the exact same schedule he'd had, in terms of feed times and turnout times, etc. Also, I handwalked him around the property and hand-grazed him.

[Nanerpus]

I would say don't worry about walking him to the ring on the first day, but make sure you walk him all around the area/barn etc. so he can see EVERYTHING.

Like you said, I'm sure he will be just fine and it's nothing to worry about, especially since the new barn owner will have a plan. But since you asked, here are a few things I have heard about for encountering a new situation. I haven't personally used them, but I have heard about them through personal friends. Here goes:

-Bring a few gallons of water from his old barn in case he turns his nose up at the new water, so you can gradually mix it.

-Bring some hay from the old barn to gradually change him over.

-Bach's Rescue Remedy is recommended for more stressful situations, if you have any on hand.

-I would vote for turning him out right away so that he isn't isolated and more nervous alone in a strange stall. He'll get the routine of being brought in with the rest of the crew. If it were me I would also give my horse some probios the day before, of, and after the move (she is on them a few days a week anyways).

Probably way more info/ideas/random stuff than you needed. Have fun!

[LittleblackMorgan]

I walk mine around the property line so they know where the boundaries are. Let them look around for a few minutes, investigate new things (peacock, front loader in the farm yard). Then I turn em loose solo in the ring so they can sniff around and roll.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

I would unload him and throw him in his stall with a flake of hay. Let him sniff around his stall, whinny, carry on, whatever he wills. Do other stuff while he does this. Unload tack, equipment, talk to the BO what have you. Let him settle himself in. Then after you peak and see him relatively calm and munching on hay take him for a stroll around the property. I see nothing wrong with taking him to the ring as well. Then put him back in his stall or turn him out; whatever the new barn schedule is. For example, if the other horses are in, I wouldn't turn him out. I don't know what time they turn out at night but if it isn't to far off then stay around for a while and watch him while they turn him out. Make sure he is ok and then leave him be. If they turn out much later I don't know if it is an option to come back or if it is to far of a drive? If you can't make it back its ok. Just ask the BO or current worker to stand by and make sure the new pasture mates are introduced ok and nothing goes wrong. Make sure to turn out the horses that have been at the barn for a while first. If they are running let them settle down then turn your guy out.

The next day carry on like normal. Go for a hack in the ring. Lots of grooming, maybe a bath. The sooner you just begin the new routine and stick with it the more quickly he will become adapted to it.

[tpup]

Thank you - great advice. The horses will most likely be in their stalls when we arrive around 3 pm. I know he is fine (or was) going into a stall at a new place, because we did this for his PPE when we trailered him to a different vet when I got him - he stood in the stall munching hay with no issues. Didn't freak out at all. He is very laid back and "ho hum...been there, done that" kind of personality. He is 19. I agree about routine. This is one horse who under saddle, will test-test if he is not ridden regularly. I will probably groom him and take him on a walk once he is settled in his stall. I do have the luxury of staying until turnout later. (thank you wonderful hubby and kids ;) ) It's a cooler day here so I think she'll turn him our late afternoon.

I'll post later and let you all know how it goes.

[stryder]

I agree with woodhills. Much better to pop him into a stall and let him settle down with some hay, especially if the others will be in their stalls, too. I figure a new environment is a great place to get hurt, especially if horses are running around. Stay close by so you can quickly intervene if you need to. Then turn out and get with on with the routine.

good luck!

[Huntertwo]

I would just move him into the normal routine of the barn. If you get anxious and antsy he will pick up on that.

Whenever I've moved my mare, I just act like I'm back at the old barn. I don't do anything special and she settles in nicely.

Once I moved into a new barn at 5:00 PM, very next morning I was hitting the trails. :) The BO looked at me kind of strange, but she handled it just fine and settled right in.

[tpup]

Well, he did GREAT! :) I am so happy!! He got right on the trailer.....I mean RIGHT on - and it was a big step up trailer - box trailer. Was a little "looky" when we arrived but started grazing immediately in front of the barn. We put him in his beautiful new stall and he started munching hay next to his new buddy. I unpacked, got a tour of the trails via car, and when we returned we turned him out with one buddy and there were just no issues at all. He acted like he had done this a hundred times! He didn't eat all of his dinner (grain, rice bran) but went back to grazing and he is a slow eater, so we are going to feed him in his stall from now on, before turnout so he can take his time. The other horse was hovering around, so to avoid issues she'll feed him in his stall. It warms my heart to see him looking out of his dutch door stall, comfortable and happy....and knowing she can look out her kitchen window to check on him. It's the next best thing to having him here with me.

He really seemed unphased and I am so relieved and pleased with the move. I will sleep better at night, especially this winter :D

[woodhillsmanhattan]

Congratulations on the successful move! Glad you are happy with the barn and care :). Have fun at your new place