Horse in quarantine - what can I do?

[Sunflowers1999]

After years (decades really) of waiting, I'm finally in a place to be getting my first horse. We've got a great livery yard lined up and she'll be going straight into a 2 week quarantine period when she arrives. During this time, what can I expect to do with her? She will need tack fitted still so no riding until that's done, but can I take her out of the field and either lunge her in the arena or walk her on a short hack by hand? Basically - I'm not sure what to expect!

You'll have to ask your yard owner what their exact arrangements are, some yards are more strict than others on the quarantine but I would expect that you'll be allowed as minimum to use the arenas and walkways so long as no direct contact with the other horses, unless she's coming from a yard with confirmed strangles or something equally nasty. You may also be allowed individual turnout, perhaps in a pen, or to turn out in an arena when not otherwise in use. It would be pretty cruel to keep a healthy horse entirely in a stable for 2 weeks so there's usually some arrangement for exercise.

I'd try and do as much as possible with her tbh, I know a lot of people recommend groundwork or slow walk work only with a new horse for weeks and weeks, but personally being old fashioned I've always cracked on with normal ridden work as soon as tack allowed (in my younger/braver days I'd ride bareback if the horse was quiet enough but TBF I wouldn't do that these days!). I think if the horse is fit and used to a busy ridden routine doing next to nothing with them for 2 weeks or more with no or limited turnout is a recipe for a bored and pent-up horse, which will be at best fresh and spicy, at worst completely over the top and mind blown when you do come to get on. So I'd book the saddler for asap after she arrives and do as much as possible with her in the meantime, so yes lunge and long-rein, do lateral work in hand and play with moving her feet around, use the walker if your yard has one, in hand hacks, maybe some free schooling or desensitizing work if you know what you're doing with it. Plus as much turnout or free/play time as you can get her, ideally within sight/smell of other horses even if she isn't allowed to touch as that will help her settle too...maybe get her some enrichment for her stable if she's going to be spending a lot of time inside, trickle feeder, mirror, licks etc?

Sorry I should have added - she lives out 24/7! So will be in a paddock on her own for 2 weeks before integrating with the rest of the yard.

Spend the time bonding ie lots of talking to her just chatting away about nothing so she gets used to your voice. If she will be living out then need to do any specific 'work' with her other than getting her used to you handling her BUT it will be down to the yard rules as to what other things you can do ie use of the arena etc.

Is the horse used to living out 24/7?