It takes a year, a full year, I am totally convinced of it now, before a horse really feels at home in a new place. I think of course they realize straight away its an ok situation or that they will be ok there, but to be really really settled and "at home" with a new herd/home, I know it takes a year. I had read it takes a horse going thru all four seasons at a new place, but I have had enough "new" horses/a big move now to see it for myself.
I would THINK they were settled in, but after a year there are many subtle and BIG signs they are at home. Its little wonder so many act out when they go to a new place and they are taken out riding the second or third day there. A month later they are a completely different animal, more settled. but a year later is when you find out what they are really like. Because thats when they have figured out what you are really like and that they dont have to worry all their needs will be met, what the rules are, what needs YOU have that need to be met, etc. and they are relaxed and comfortable within their own skin. I think horses try so hard to hide things, feelings, and they are so good at it. They don't want the new herd to know they are nervous about things I think. When I first got Tivar and started riding him, he had been ridden by lighter, and way better riders than me, he had been ridden by professionals. He would seem so AGGRAVATED by me having to wallow around getting off him. He would switch his tail and flatten his ears and I would worry I was hurting him, with the saddle pulling but as soon as I got down he would try and stalk off like he was just angry. A few times he would stalk off before I got all the way down and I would almost fall. But he got better and better. Then the other day I noticed... I had on garden clogs and one got stuck in my left stirrup so I couldnt drop down til I wiggled it out of there and there I was wallering around on him and had to reach and grab the opposing stirrup quickly cause I almost fell, and I was afraid to fall cause I knew my foot was stuck, and well, afterward I realized it had gone on forever and he had stood quietly the whole time like "well, she's apparently quite the huge clumsy oaf up there wallering around but for whatever reason she has to do it, no use getting mad at her for it... its just her thing, and she's nice to me, after all." just some musings. Janice -- yipie tie yie yo
