11/07/2023
Yes! ❤️
Give your new horse time. Having watched many clients get new horses, and getting to know my own, I’ve observed that it takes time - more time than most think it “should”.
It varies for each horse and situation, but on average I think it takes about 3 months for a horse to start settling in, and being okay in their new environment, this is often when new owners say “oh, we’re starting to see their personality now”. And at least year before people feel like they are truely getting it together with their new horse.
When you get your new horse home you have changed everything in their life. They are eating different food (even if you keep the hard feed the same the grass and hay is different), existing in a different place with a different vibe, they have new herd mates to intergrate with and may be missing old ones. They have new gear, a new float, and you are different too, the way you interact with them and who you are is different. So you can not expect them to be the same as they were in their previous home.
I often get called out for bodywork on new horses because something isn’t right. Bodywork can help and there is always something to work on, but the biggest thing usually that “isn’t right”, is just that they need time to adjust.
Give your new horse time and understanding. Start your relationship from the beginning, rather than expecting them to just continue on from where they were with their last person. Create your own partnership with them and discover who they truely are.
❤️🐴