NEW HORSE; NEW PROBLEMS

Anew horse can bring excitement and energy to the barn, and even reinvigorate your passion. However, there are also a myriad of new problems that can come with a new horse, so learn how to introduce him properly to avoid these common issues.

- LUKE BASS, DVM, WITH DEVIN CONLEY

The day has finally come, and the search has paid off. Now there are no more ads to read, no more drives to arenas to see if your high hopes will be dashed, no more anxiously awaiting the results of a pre-purchase exam. You've found the perfect horse for you, the paperwork is signed, the money has exchanged hands, and today you bring him home. It's all sunshine from here... right? Whether he's a show horse that will take you to the next level, a dependable trail mount that can carry you to new country, or just the sweet, solid horse that will give you back your confidence, a new horse brings new energy to the barn. However, a new horse can also bring new problems.

This Isn't the Horse I Bought!

After your new horse steps off your trailer and finds his way into your barn, the excitement has just begun. You might find yourself hanging around the barn more, spending time with him, making plans in your head for all the adventures you'll have, and filling your camera roll with photos. Bringing home a new horse can recharge your passion and fill you with excitement for the future.

But maybe you start to notice characteristics in this horse that you didn't see when you tried him out before buying. Perhaps he seems a little watchy on the ground, or he isn't eating well or settling into your barn's atmosphere. Maybe you took him out for the first ride in your arena, and he just didn't perform to the level that he did when you tried him at his old home. He might even be losing weight and doesn't look as great as the day you picked him up.

These seemingly sudden changes can fill you with doubt and even dread. Did you make a mistake? Is this really the horse you thought he was? Why is he acting differently with you than his previous owner? Before you dive off the deep end and begin to catastrophize, take a breath, and try these tips to avoid common problems that horse owners face when bringing home a new horse.