18 month old horse- what would you be...

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skye123

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expecting to do with it now? odviously handled etc would you introduce it to traffic etc?
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would you introduce it to traffic etc?

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Nope. I personally don't believe it's safe to do this on foot - but others may feel differently.

If it were mine, it would be in the field merrily growing and playing.
 
when i had my youngster i took him out daily from weaning up and down the lane then into the woods then heavier traffic then once id backed him i walked him out in traffic tacked up for weeks before riding him out never once had any issues with him in traffic at all! i always think softly softly approach works
 

Basic manners when leading & being groomed. Used to having feet etc handled. Daily handling, light grooming etc.

Apart from that I wouldn't start introducing to traffic until about 2. They need to be babies for a while first.
 
It's a fine balance, if you think he would be sensible (SP) enough then there is nothing wrong in introducing him to traffic (gradually though). Teach him command's etc, handling being tacked up gently, manners and in general being handled.

Loading too if you have a lorry, i don't think this will hurt him as they need something to occupy them and don't forget he has the added bonus off being turned away and having a bit more fun untill the real work begins.

If you have the advantage to work with him through the spring/summer do it and then turn him away for the Autumn/winter,he'll come back better for it next year.
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Leading, grooming, loading, getting used to the noise of clippers, introducing boots/bandages etc, washing legs etc, picking feet out, leading on quiet roads. Ive done lots with my two year old, stuff like walking him over tar poling, putting buckets on his head etc, hes a little star
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At 16 months Chancer was able to be tied up and left for 30 mins - though I did keep an eye on him. He could be groomed, feet picked and a rug put on.

He was bitted with a little rubber bit - in anticipation for showing at 18 months.

We did three 10 - 15 mins in hand sessions a week - mainly walking, turning, halting and general manners. We also did some introduction to walking over bags and general getting used to noises etc.

He also had the dentist inspect him and gently introduced a rasp. I introduced him to clipping by standing next to my old horse and trimmed his head and belly with trimmers. He also learnt to load on the trailer.

Some may say this was too much, but at 20 months we started in hand showing. I think due to spending the time taking everything very slowly he was not at all stressed at any point and plenty of time to think about things.

He has done a little work every week, was sat on at 2 1/2 and we started short hacks at 3 - 10 mins once a week.

He is now rising 4 and we have started gentle schooling with a little canter work and are going to attempt our first showing class under the saddle at what I hope will be a very small local riding school show this weekend.

He has had plenty of time in the field being a horse, but for him doing little short training sessions three/four times a week really has worked - he is an intelligent little chap and without a little work gets bored and destroys the field and anything around him trying to get mental stimulation.
 
I dont think the chaps on the ponys legs are very safe - what if he took off?
Proper horse boots would have done exactly the same job abs been much safer for your pony
 
I agree, don't push the traffic thing. I got my youngster as a 9 month old. I haven't pushed him at all. Hes now 3. Hes worn a bridle been lunged etc, good with farrier, vet and great being handled. All things come with time. Main thing is to be a baby and grow in to a relaxed younster. as it gets to 2 I would start travelling and maybe a local show.
 
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Leading, grooming, loading, getting used to the noise of clippers, introducing boots/bandages etc, washing legs etc, picking feet out, leading on quiet roads. Ive done lots with my two year old, stuff like walking him over tar poling, putting buckets on his head etc, hes a little star
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haha nice one!!

I'd wait until they are about 2 until handling near roads. but i have no XP handling such young horses, i'd just be working in stable
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Stephen.
 
Can I just add, that what most others have said about leading, commands, farrier, loading etc. would be being done from early on. So IMO these are things that most youngsters would be doing from a very early age allready.
 
Mine have all by the age of 18 months done the sunday newspaper run, been to shows, have their feet looked at, teeth checked, rugs flapped around them...

all the usual stuff but on a smaller scale..
 
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I dont think the chaps on the ponys legs are very safe - what if he took off?
Proper horse boots would have done exactly the same job abs been much safer for your pony

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1. If he did he could only run about the garden
2. He wouldnt, hes so laid back hes horizontal
3. It wouldnt matter if he did, they were fitted snugly and wouldnt have caused him any harm or slipped off or anything
 
My 13 month old is bitted, trots up, goes on the lorry, has seen traffic and has walked round tracks, meeting cyclists, kids etc. I think it is important, but I don't do it very often, maybe once/twice a week I play with her in some way, the rest of the time - she is allowed to just be a baby.
 
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I dont think the chaps on the ponys legs are very safe - what if he took off?
Proper horse boots would have done exactly the same job abs been much safer for your pony

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My horse wore school tights once, he looked glamorous and didn't care at all!! LOL!
 
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ah, vieshot....you and i have an advantage with our youngsters...they are solid Newfies!!!
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Obviously!!!
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ah, vieshot....you and i have an advantage with our youngsters...they are solid Newfies!!!
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Obviously!!!
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It must be the breed
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My NF x has had a cub saddle sat on his back, a bridle on. And then last week after I untacked Bear I plonked his saddle on Bertie and he didn't bat an eyelid! We then sat my 3 yr old daughter on top of that!!
 
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ah, vieshot....you and i have an advantage with our youngsters...they are solid Newfies!!!
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Obviously!!!
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Definitely something special about Newfies
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Mine was dead easy bless her.
 
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ah, vieshot....you and i have an advantage with our youngsters...they are solid Newfies!!!
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Obviously!!!
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It must be the breed
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My NF x has had a cub saddle sat on his back, a bridle on. And then last week after I untacked Bear I plonked his saddle on Bertie and he didn't bat an eyelid! We then sat my 3 yr old daughter on top of that!!

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aww bless
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I think it depends on the youngster TBH. If it's a calm relaxed sort there's no harm in doing a lttle bit of walking out with them, but others are definitely better off left to mentally mature first. Over and above teaching the basics of good manners, there's absolutely no point in trying to do too much with a youngster who's simply not ready for it in its head. It's just asking for aggro. And let's face it, there's enough of that already in rearing youngsters!
 
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