A lot of people think that the best thing to do is to turn them loose for a week or so and let them get used to their surroundings. Don't get me wrong, allowing a horse to adjust to their new homes and new pasture mates is very important. But I think just leaving them alone is a terrible idea.
You don't have to ride them, although I usually do but when I do ride it's nothing hard, in fact, the easier the better. A quick, easy ride with lots of praise is better than a long tough ride for letting your new horse know that you aren't going to make their lives miserable and that riding with you is a pretty sweet gig.
But even if you don't feel comfortable with a 5 minute ride, you can do groundwork. Groundwork is always important. However, I am going to tell you the secret thing that is way more important than riding or groundwork in the first 48. Are you ready for it? Be there for your new horse. Be their protector and provider. Be their safe spot. Be on their side. Yeah, that doesn't sound so complicated now does it? Actually, that sounds a little bit like a 'well, duh!' moment.
And yet so few people actually do it. Sure, they may groom their new horse and pet them, but that's not really the same thing. No, what I do is give them attention, keep the other horses from chasing them or give them a rest where they can relax. If I'm in the pasture and the new horse is by me- they are totally off limits for the other horses and anyone who doesn't respect that is in big trouble. I also don't just go out once. I go out multiple times throughout the first days, sometimes with treats, sometimes with a halter and a soft brush. Sometimes I just lead them to food or water and stand between them and the other horses. And then I leave.
If that doesn't sound like you're working with the horse or training them, you're wrong. This is a huge step in establishing trust between yourself and your new horse. This is the time when your horse is feeling scared, vulnerable and unable to relax- yes, even if they seem to be getting along well enough with the other horses- and if you can tell them: "Hey, when I'm here everything is okay, I'll watch out for you. You don't need to worry about a thing, let me do that for you. By me is the best place to be for you."
Think of it this way: you're the new kid who's just moved across the country. You don't know anyone at this new school and everyone is already cliqued up because it's the middle of the school year. Some of them are even glaring at you when you try and introduce yourself! You've left all your old friends behind and you're now dropped into totally different classes and places- it's time to sink or swim. You may know how to make friends, but it's still a stressful time. You may be self reliant and totally okay with eating alone in the cafeteria. But if someone comes up to you, shows you around, asks to be your friend and wants to get to know you, are you really going to turn them down? No, you're probably not. Even if they're different than you, you're just grateful that someone is on your side.
I am the provider of food, water, security and comfort in these first few days.
I let them know that it's okay to be nervous and mess up, it's not a big deal. I just ask that they trust me and try for me.
I try and be that person for my horses. It almost always works out pretty dang well. In two days, my latest horse will nicker to me when he see's me coming (or going), will follow me around, leave the other horses and trusts me even when I'm doing scary things.
This is the same horse that didn't want me to catch him and wouldn't lead when I first saw him in his pasture.
In highly related news, I have a new project. A friend gave me a free pony. I know I've said ponies are basically the spawn of Satan but he's a pretty nice little bugger. He was named Renegade but he's been rechristened 'Ace of Hearts'. His story is that he just showed up at their place one day and they tried putting ads out for his owners but nobody claimed him. Four years later, they're moving and only keeping their miniatures. She asked if I wanted him since she knows what I do and because she said he'd get a better home than if they took him to the auction. (Frowny face)
Anyway, when she said a sorrel pony of unknown age and training, I initially went 'err... NOPE!' because I've seen too many scrubby little ponies for my lifetime. But then she sent me some pictures and I decided he was worth going to see. So I did and then I picked him up the next day. They just had his feet trimmed and a fresh coggins pulled, the vet thinks he's around 10 and he's got a pretty good little build. I figured there wasn't a lot to lose. He's only about 13.2 hands, which is a pity, because he'd be a real beauty as a full sized horse.
So far he's been a gem. They had never loaded him before and I expected it to take an hour or two to get him in my trailer. Nope, he hopped right in. I figured he might freak out about fly spray but he handled it like a champ. He was pretty nervous when I tried to lunge him and he kept coming up to me with the 'Save me?' look he's so good at. He saddled and bridled fine but he was pretty nervous under saddle so I'm not entirely sure if he's been ridden ( I know he hasn't in over 4 years) but it's only day 3 so I didn't push it. Anyway, he's already starting to come when I call and will follow me around everywhere.
My sister said it's because I had the clicker treat fanny pack on. So I gave her a handful of grain and told him to follow her. He looked from me to her, and then back to me. So I turned the fanny pack around behind my back and pointed to her. Nope. So I gave her the fanny pack and had her show it to him and wave it at him while calling. I turned my face away and ignored him. He looked at her, considered it, and then turned back to me. She said he was just lazy and didn't want to walk. So I started walking the opposite direction, with no treats, and he immediately followed me.
Yes, treats can help your new horse to like the sight of you, but being the 'safe zone' is even better.
Facing down my Sammy
What do you think? Not too bad for a free pony.
