Hi friends…posting here as I’m in need of advice as I have a mare who is struggling terribly in acclimating to a new barn. I’ll try to provide as much background and detail as possible to provide context, so apologies in advance for the length.
My girl is a 15 year old show hunter who I’ve owned for about 4 years. She has been all over the country at many different shows and barns over the years and has always acclimated well. Since I purchased her (and for many years prior, as well) she has been stabled at the same show barn across town.
A year ago, my husband and I purchased a 2.5 acre property in a planned equestrian community where we have been working tirelessly to build her the “perfect” place for her to semi-retire and live out her life at home with us on our own farm. We have gone to great lengths and expense to make everything the “best” we possibly could for her. Beautiful barn, large bright stalls that open up to all-weather “patio” dry lots which open up to big grass pastures. Corner feeders, automatic waterers, fans, mats, stall cameras, etc. Also, prior to moving her home, we ensured to purchse the exact same supplements, feed, and hay that she had been getting at the show barn where shes been boarded, to help ensure a smooth transition. We’ve also ensured that we have kept her on the same time schedule that she was on at the other barn with regard to feeding and turnout.
With all of that said however, the last week has been largely hellish since bringing her home. She has always been what I’d consider a more “sensitive” mare, but I never imagined her transition would be this difficult. She quite simply seems uncomfortable and seems to hate being here so far, despite ALWAYS beautifully behaved when she was boarded at the other barn.
When we got her here, we took the time to hand-walk her around the property to orient her, but she was quite difficult to handle. When we took her to her stall, she spun, paced, bucked and reared. When we first opened up her pasture on the second day, she did okay for a few mintues but ultimately ended up pacing and galloping the fence line to the point where we had to bring her inside becuase we were worried she’d hurt herself or try to jump the fence. Note: she does have a “buddy” here…another quiet appy mare who is in the stall across the aisle from her. Additionally, we have 2 barn cats as well, so she definitely isn’t alone.
Each day when we open up her dry lot gate so that she can go graze in her pasture in the morning, she goes out for a few minutes but then ultimately ends up spooking and comes galloping into her stall at breakneck speed - again, to the point where I’m terrified shes going to hurt herself. She’s historically been a horse who appreciates her turnout time in the morning and always enjoyed it at her last barn, so I thought she’d be happy here with more turnout time and the dry lot to roam around in, instead of being cooped up in her stall all day as she always has been. But, her stall seems the only place on our farm that she’s even remotely comfortable so far. We’ve even gone out and spent time with her in the pasture and she while she follows us, again, she ultimately ends up freaking out and racing back into her stall…even though the weather here has been quite literally perfect this week…75 and sunny. She only seems happy inside.
In the past week, we’ve had just two “good” days where I was able to make the 5 minute walk with her down to the main equestrian center to lunge and ride her to get her some exercise and try to refocus her energy. Miraculously, she did well when we did that.
I know all horses are different and it’s “only” been a week, but I’m just sad and frustrated that we’ve spent SO much time, effort, and money to build her this beautiful farm that she seemlingly hates (at least so far). Again, she’s historically always been a “sensitive girl”, but NEVER anything like this. She actually sometimes seems to get worse when I’m around her. When she has her “tantrums”, I leave her be and then go watch her on her stall camera, which then she usually calms down and goes to sleep. I’ve had to give her ACE almost every morning since she’s been here since shes been so nervous and high strung.
All of this said, do I just need to be more patient? My trainer told me all of this is “normal”, but I’ve seen a LOT of horses come to new barns over the years, but NONE have ever behaved like this. I don’t know what else I could possibly done or be doing to try to give her a better home, so I guess thats why I’m asking for advice as I’m heartsick over her lack of settling in. She is my heart horse and I’d do anything to make her happy.
Thanks for any words of advice or encouragement…it is greatly appreciated.
