Jodi Tluczek watched her horses graze in her backyard.
“They look wonderful now,” she says. “But you should have seen them last night.”
Last month, Tluczek and her husband trailered Sammy, a 3-year-old Paint and Ringo, an 11-year-old Quarter Horse from a boarding barn in near Fort Bragg, N.C., to the couple’s home in an equestrian community in Parrish, Fla.
Once everyone settled in, Tluczek got lots of help from neighbors who recommended a veterinarian that specialized in equine care, a skilled and reliable farrier and a list of the best sources for feed, hay and bedding. During the first few weeks, the horses did pretty well.
“On the advice of our farrier and others, we’re reducing the richness of their food because they just don’t need the calories and we’re giving them psyllium to help prevent sand colic,” she says.
The pair seemed to adapt to their new surroundings too. But then, the Florida summer kicked in with its above 90-degree temperatures and daily thunderstorms.
“The climate has been a challenge, but they’re handling it,” Tluczek says. “But the storms are something else – Sammy came through the episode just fine, but Ringo was a the back of his stall snorting with his ears pinned .”
From adjusting feed to acknowledging climate changes, helping horses adapt to a new home across state lines or even just on the other side of town is crucial to the animals’ welfare, says equine behaviorist Jennifer Williams Ph.D., founder of the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. But not all horses react to an environmental change in the same way.
“Jut like people, some horses can go almost anywhere, fit in and be fine,” Williams says. “Some take longer to adjust, settle in and get comfortable.”
In fact, horses that are accustomed to being on the road to shows or trail riding venues are likely to do better when they are relocated. Those used to staying at home are more likely to have trouble acclimating.
“If you have a young horse or horses who haven’t left the farm before, moving to a new place can be harder on them,” Williams says. “It can also be tough for horses who have moved to new owners or have moved without their friends.”
In any case, there are things owners can do before during and after a move that can help their horses adapt. Here’s what Williams recommends:
According to Williams, most horses will adjust to their new homes in a week or so. For their owners the learning curve may be higher.
“I’m still getting used to their being here,” says Tluczek. “I’m learning every day.”
Pat Raia is a veteran journalist who covers a range of equestrian lifestyle topics. When she’s not working, Raia unwinds with her Tennessee Walking Horse, Santino.
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