Adopting a horse offers numerous benefits. Most people bond really closely with their mounts, and youâll have a good friend in them for most of your days. In short, horses really can be wonderful creatures and will make a great addition to any home, as long as youâve got the space for them!

However, it won’t be all cuddles and love from the moment you bring them home. If thatâs what youâre expecting, itâs time to ground yourself! Your new horse will need some time to get used to their new surroundings, and as their confident and cool owner, thereâs some things you can do to help this process along.
Help Them Settle in
The first thing to do is to help your horse get settled in. Theyâll need some time to get used to their new surroundings, and thereâs a good chance you wonât recognise them during this period!
If youâve spent a lot of time getting to know your horse before purchase and youâve come to see them as a warm and friendly creature, they might not be so open with you once youâve introduced them to their new home.

This is because itâs new and quite possibly overwhelming, and youâve got to give your new horse the space they need to learn about their new barn and pasture. Let them out to get used to the surrounding space too, so they can find their favourite foraging spots and trees/fence posts to scratch against.
Simultaneously, gradually approach them, maintaining a relaxed pace. Let them know youâre OK to be around, and youâre the one thing that hasnât changed in their life!
Get Outfitted Properly

Youâre going to be taking your horse for regular rides. Well, youâll need to outfit yourself properly for occasions like these! Any old outfit wonât doâif you climb on the back of a horse, you should wear protective, streamlined gear that both feels comfortable and does the job.
Where do you find such clothing? Start online; usually, the best prices can be found at wholesale stores online or specialised websitesâyou’ll be able to find Dubarry boots at the latter quite easily!
Take Riding Slowly
And speaking of riding, make sure you take this process slowly too. Horses are wonderful for saddling up and taking out, but thereâs a chance they wonât take to this immediately.
Put the saddle on them, put a bit in their mouth, and just gently lead them around for a whileâdon’t get on them! Just walk beside them with the lead in your hand and let them get used to what a saddle feels like; this is especially pertinent for younger horses. Youâve just got your first horse, and now is your chance to set the right foundation for enjoying your life together!