Stress and mental health as a new horse owner

Hi! How lovely, your first horse of your own😍

I understand that it is a lot to think about and get used to, for both you and the horse. For now, in these early days, only do the things you both manage, and let it take time. Spend undemanding time together to ease the pressure.

Try to have the company of another horse and other people. It can calm both the horse and you. Sometimes it is simply nice to have someone to share the experience with: look, the horse is doing this now, what might be behind it? Or, look how lovely this is right now!

Horses are herd animals and find it hard to be without their horsey friends, especially if your horse has come to a new yard and does not know you that well yet either. Try to build the relationship between you and the horse, but also with the other horses and people at the yard😻

Do focus on groundwork and walks together. You will do plenty of riding later anyway. Practise different commands, simple things like start, stop, wait and permission to graze🥰 That way the horse learns your signals, voice and body language. And you get to know your horse and notice whether it is especially sensitive, alert or anxious in certain places, or perhaps at certain times of day.

Late evenings at the yard are lovely, but make sure they stay as undemanding as possible so you do not get too tired in these early days. There is a lot to take in as a horse owner.

Perhaps most important of all, do not hesitate to get help! Get in touch with a trainer or another knowledgeable horse person. You can get help with more than just the riding. Do keep asking questions here in HayHay and we will help you as best we can👏🏼👍🤗