He's My Huckleberry - 8 Steps to Starting with a New Horse

“There are only two things you need to do to be successful with horses - be consistent and stay persistent.” - Suzy Hodge, the Old Soul Cowgirl

Introduction:

I grew up riding horses, which was pretty easy since my dad trained professionally most of my life. When I was old enough to really help in the barn, we had a 20-stall boarding and training barn on 15 acres in North Carolina. I mostly rode Paint horses. They tend to be pretty easy to work with, mostly as smart as they are pretty, and, if you're lucky, they had enough white to obviously be a paint horse without so much you spent hours cleaning them before a show.

In June of 2023, I purchased MDR Comin in Hott (AQHA) /Impulsive Louie (APHA) from Pennsylvania through an online auction. It took a week or so to get him to North Carolina, and I absolutely fell in love with him. But, when you're bringing in a new, young horse, there are a lot of things you have to consider.

Here are the top 8 steps to starting with a new horse that I had to work through with my new gelding, who I decided to call Huckleberry! 🐴

1. Get to know your horse

Just like not all people are alike, neither are all horses. You have to get to know your new horse, who will probably be very different from your last horse because that's how the world works! A few things to keep in mind:

• Observe Behavior: Pay attention to how your horse reacts to different situations, other horses, and people. This will help you learn their personality and help you tailor your approach to their needs.

• Build Trust: Spend time just being near your horse, speaking softly, singing, or however you spend your time in the barn. Grab your saddle and set up a cleaning station outside of their new stall. There's always something that needs to be done in the barn, and this helps them get used to you and feel more comfortable.

• Body Language: Learn to read your horse’s body language. Understanding their signals will improve communication and reduce stress for both of you. Paying attention to how your new horse expresses themselves will save you a lot of headache in the long run.

2. Establish a Routine

Every barn owner will tell you that horses may not have watches but they can tell time all the same. A good routine will go a long way to settling a new horse faster than anything else. When I mention routine, I mean things like:

• Feeding Schedule: Set specific times for feeding. Consistent timing helps your horse know when to expect meals and can aid in digestion and overall well-being.

• Grooming Routine: Regular grooming not only keeps your horse clean but also strengthens your bond. Daily grooming helps you spot any health issues early and makes your horse more comfortable with handling.

• Exercise Schedule: Determine a regular exercise plan that includes riding, lunging, or even time in a paddock or field to just be a horse. This keeps your horse physically fit and mentally stimulated.

3. Introduce Slowly to New Environments

First day in a new barn should always be nothing more than just their new stall and their new feeding schedule. That's it. You have to give a new horse in the barn time to learn about their new home. Then you can slowly introduce them to other aspects of their new home as safely as possible.

• Gradual Turnout: If your horse is new to the property, start by letting them explore their new paddock or pasture in short, supervised intervals. Gradually increase the time they spend outside as they become more comfortable.

• Safe Spaces: Provide a safe area where your horse can retreat if they feel overwhelmed. This could be a corner of their stall or a sheltered part of their pasture.

• Acclimatization: Introduce new sights, sounds, and other animals slowly. This helps reduce stress and anxiety.

4. Ensure Proper Nutrition

One of the most important things to remember when getting a new horse is to limit the amount of changes in their lives as much as possible. Even if they're currently being fed a feed you would never feed, leave them on it! You can start a gradual transition in a month or two. But the last thing you want to do is change their environment and their feed at the same time. Depending on if your new horse came from down the road or states away (like my Huckleberry!), you may already be changing their hay. Don't change their feed as well, if you can help it.

• Consult the previous owner: If at all possible, make sure you learn what your new horse has been feeding as well as how much and how often. This is vital to slowly transition them to their new home. If that's not possible, you may want to talk to your vet or feed supplier about the gentlest grain options and even consider a few days of an ulcer preventative. Anything to help them transition with minimal concerns.

• Monitor Weight and Condition: Regularly check your horse’s weight and body condition. Adjust their diet as needed to maintain a healthy weight. If they're not outside with plenty of grass most of the day, they absolutely need good hay to graze on throughout the day. A lot of times, the hay is more important than the grain when it comes to your horse's wellbeing.

• Hydration: Ensure your horse always has access to clean, fresh water. Dehydration can lead to serious health issues. And they should always have access to a salt block.

5. Establish Ground Rules 🛑

At the end of the day, you have a horse for your enjoyment. But it won't be any fun if every time you try to do anything with your new horse, it's a battle. No one likes that. So having ground rules is a must. And teaching them to your new horse is very important. Teaching things like:

• Basic Commands: Teach your horse basic commands such as “walk,” “whoa,” and “back.” This helps in handling and ensures safer interactions.

• Respectful Behavior: Work on ground manners like leading politely, standing still for grooming, and not crowding you or other people. This makes handling and training more efficient and enjoyable.

• Consistency: Be consistent with commands and expectations. This helps your horse understand what is required and builds trust.

6. Check Tack and Equipment

Whether this is the latest horse in a barn full of them or your first horse, you always need to check your tack and other equipment to make sure what you have suits your new horse. Do the splint boots fit? Is everything in good repair? Always consider:

• Fit and Comfort: Ensure that the saddle and bridle fit your horse properly. Poorly fitting tack can cause discomfort and lead to behavioral issues or physical problems.

• Condition: Regularly inspect tack for wear and tear. Check for broken straps, rusted buckles, or other damage that could compromise safety or comfort.

• Proper Cleaning: Clean tack regularly to maintain its condition and prevent issues like saddle sores or infections.

7. Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation

Your new horse has a lot to learn about you, and you have a lot to learn about your new horse. That only happens if you actually work together. And while you may have an idea of what your new horse is most suited for, you will only figure it out if you try a few new things with them.

• Varied Activities: Incorporate a mix of activities such as trail rides, groundwork exercises, and games to keep your horse engaged and learn what your horse enjoys.

• Training Sessions: Regular training sessions, even if short, can be mentally stimulating and help with bonding. They can include new skills or refreshing basic ones.

• Environmental Enrichment: Use toys or other enrichment tools in the stall or pasture to keep your horse entertained. This could be items like hanging balls or treat dispensers. Or even big yoga balls for horses!

8. Stay Patient and Positive

Last, but not least, remember to stay patient and stay positive. This is a marathon, not a sprint. You're never going to hop onto a brand new horse and go compete at top level in any discipline or any breed. To really build a bond with your new horse and build you both up to excel, you're both going to have to put in the hard work.

• Positive Reinforcement: Use praise and gentle encouragement to reward good behavior. This fosters a positive learning environment and strengthens your bond. I don't recommend treats as a rule, as most horses tend to get lippy when those are overused. And, unfortunately, Huckleberry must have been given a lot of treats before I got him. This has been one of our most constant struggles so far, and I would never encourage anyone to help their horse develop that bad habit.

• Stay Calm: Horses are sensitive to human emotions. Staying calm and collected helps your horse feel secure and reduces their stress. Sing if you have to; I do it a lot. My horses are the only ones who hear me, and they don't care if I sing well or not. They just like the emotion behind the music.

Set Realistic Goals: Understand that building a relationship and adapting to new routines takes time. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate progress along the way. You have to have a goal, but make it something you can reach. And there's nothing wrong with having a goal for today, a goal for next week, and a goal for next year. Plan it out, but be flexible. If you don't meet your goal today, then there's always tomorrow. But keep working towards something.

Check out some of the fun Huckleberry and I are having!

Starting with a New Horse checklist:

Here is a quick checklist to get you started with your new horse. Remember stay persistent and be consistent! 🐎

• Get to know your horse
  Observe Behavior:
  Build Trust:
  Body Language:

• Establish a Routine
  Feeding Schedule:
  Grooming Routine:
  Exercise Schedule:

• Introduce Slowly to New Environments

• Ensure Proper Nutrition

• Establish Ground Rules
  Basic Commands:
  Respectful Behavior:
  Consistency:

• Check Tack and Equipment

• Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation

• Stay Patient and Positive
  Positive Reinforcement:
  Stay Calm:
  Set Realistic Goals: