Bringing Home a New Horse Vet Guide 2025 – Dr Duncan Houston 🐴🏡

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc – your trusted veterinary resource on preparing, transporting, and settling in a new equine companion safely and confidently.

Introduction

Bringing home a new horse is exciting—but it also means assuming major responsibility. Thoughtful preparation, careful transport, quarantine, and gradual integration ensure your new companion starts life with you on the right foot 🐎.

🧰 Phase 1: Before Arrival

Veterinary Prep: Schedule a pre-arrival health check, review vaccination, deworming, and dental records—ensure Coggins, health certificate, and current vet data accompany the transfer :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

Stable & Turnout: Prepare a clean stall or run-in shed with fresh bedding, secure fencing, and clean water buckets :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

Equipment: Stock feed, hay, supplements the horse is used to for 5–7 days to reduce digestive stress :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}. Have a halter, lead rope, fly masks, and first-aid kit ready :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

Pro Team: Line up an equine vet, farrier, dental specialist, and any behavior/training pros in advance :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

🚚 Phase 2: Transport & Arrival

Transport safety: Use transport boots or wraps to protect the legs :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}. Check the trailer is non-slip, well-ventilated, and safe.

Arrival routine: Unload calmly, offer water, and allow the horse to rest and recover from travel. Give at least 24–48 hours before unrestrained turnout or handling :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

🛡️ Phase 3: Quarantine & Health Monitoring

Keep the new horse isolated for 2–3 weeks in a separate paddock or stall to monitor for signs of colic, infection, or contagious illness :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

Monitor vitals daily—temperature, pulse, respiration—and record feed, manure, and behavior changes. Have basic medical items ready: thermometer, stethoscope, wound care :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

👥 Phase 4: Introducing to the Herd

Allow gradual introductions over a fence first, then pair with one calm horse before full integration—this minimizes stress and aggression :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

Pay attention to herd hierarchy; if bullying occurs, offer separate feeding areas or turnout pens.

🧣 Phase 5: Equipment & Facilities Checklist

• Halter, extra lead rope
• Grooming kit: brushes, hoof pick, mane comb, clean rags :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• First-aid: wound cleaners, bandages, thermometer, antiseptic :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
• Blankets/fly masks/sheets per season :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
• Water buckets, feed tubs, wheelbarrow, mucking tools for at-home horse care :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

📅 Phase 6: Routine & Long-Term Care

Daily schedule: Establish feeding, turnout, grooming, and exercise routines. Consistency supports wellness and trust :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

Preventive care: Follow vaccination, deworming, dental, and farrier protocols. Ensure boosters for tetanus, rabies, and flu are up-to-date.

Exercise & Bonding: After quarantine, start grooming/groundwork before riding. Build trust in stages to avoid overwhelm :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.

📋 Owner Checklist Summary

Conclusion & Ask A Vet Support 📲

Bringing a new horse home is thrilling and rewarding—when done thoughtfully. A calm arrival pace, proper health checks, quarantine, and caring introductions help your new horse settle confidently into your care.

For personalized arrival schedules, quarantine reminders, herd-integration advice, or emergency support, Ask A Vet offers tailored tools, tele-vet access and checklists in the app. Download the Ask A Vet App now to start this journey with confidence and care. 🐴❤️