diggerbez
Well-Known Member
as title really? no real experience of horses less than 3 years old but wondering what you would do with a 2 year old? i have my own opinion but wondered what others thought? thanks 
2 year olds- what do you do with them?
- Thread starter diggerbez
- Start date
abbieandfiona
Well-Known Member
I have a 2 year old and i take her to in-hand classes for her breed. I also walk her out most days to get rid of the weight on her and not often but do long rein with no real contact.
dollface
Well-Known Member
Mines not 2 yet (see sig pic) as hes only 13 months old and he spends all day every day grazing. I think about showing him in hnad but have decided he can learn to be a horse as Ive many years ahead to do this
Little_Miss_1
Well-Known Member
A ''normal'' 2 yr old (if there is such a thing!) just walks out, fuss and inhand showing.
The 2 yr old that is now a 4yr old - we turned out in a field for a year and only approacher her to feed her. She had prevoiusly been stabled and fed competition mix (at 2!!!!!!!) and was a bit of a fruit. She needed a year to chill and just see humans as a source of food, not a toy to kick / bite / rear up and try and smash in the head! She really was a charmer!!! A year roughing it did her wonders and she is now my superstar baby who is a dream to handle / do anyhting with / great little competition horse. She really is one of the most tallented horses with a temprement to die for - the only horse - other than her own little old pony - (let alone 4 yr old!!!) that I will let my nervous 8 yr old niece bring in from a field!
The 2 yr old that is now a 4yr old - we turned out in a field for a year and only approacher her to feed her. She had prevoiusly been stabled and fed competition mix (at 2!!!!!!!) and was a bit of a fruit. She needed a year to chill and just see humans as a source of food, not a toy to kick / bite / rear up and try and smash in the head! She really was a charmer!!! A year roughing it did her wonders and she is now my superstar baby who is a dream to handle / do anyhting with / great little competition horse. She really is one of the most tallented horses with a temprement to die for - the only horse - other than her own little old pony - (let alone 4 yr old!!!) that I will let my nervous 8 yr old niece bring in from a field!
tallyho!
Following a strict mediterranean diet...
Not much. Generally expensive lawn-mowers and put on as much weight as poss for growth purposes. Given lots of room and a few mates.
TRY and catch every now and again so they don't become completely wild.
Have teeth checked, have farrier look at feet (not to SHOE!).
Then at three, take to shows, try and run with it in a ring and not fall over/it fall on you. Once established that they are a nice sort, decide to back then turn away. If not SELL IMMEDIATELY.
Then at five: try and ride it.
TRY and catch every now and again so they don't become completely wild.
Have teeth checked, have farrier look at feet (not to SHOE!).
Then at three, take to shows, try and run with it in a ring and not fall over/it fall on you. Once established that they are a nice sort, decide to back then turn away. If not SELL IMMEDIATELY.
Then at five: try and ride it.
Little_Miss_1
Well-Known Member
You dont ride away untill 5? I back (i.e, sit on, walk and trot in straight line) at 3 and then in a field for a year and then ride away in the spring of their 4th year. Why don't you ride till 5?
p.s, I'm not criticising, just curious of other people's methods!
Enfys
Well-Known Member
If I keep them that long, everything bar ride them.
I reckon 20 minutes out of 24 hours isn't a bad exchange for feed and all the other comforts they get.
The type of horses I breed will be backed as long two year olds, they need to learn their lessons in small doses, if I don't teach them they'll learn them a lot faster and perhaps not the way I'd do it at new homes. That's just how it is here.
I reckon 20 minutes out of 24 hours isn't a bad exchange for feed and all the other comforts they get.
The type of horses I breed will be backed as long two year olds, they need to learn their lessons in small doses, if I don't teach them they'll learn them a lot faster and perhaps not the way I'd do it at new homes. That's just how it is here.
tallyho!
Following a strict mediterranean diet...
The osteotomes on most horses do not fuse until 4/5. Particulary on the thoracic bones and forelegs (why youngsters forehand/shoulders always last to grow).
The later the better tbh from a growth POV.
Little_Miss_1
Well-Known Member
Osteotomes?? Do you mean osteons? And, gentle compression before the fusion of the epiphysis can cause increased osteon (and thus lamellar bone) deposition actually making bones stronger... I agree that work should be limited as excessive forces can cause damage, but I personally would not wait untill 5....
Just my thoughts!!!
paulineh
Well-Known Member
I have Arabs
With my youngsters they are brought in daily.
1) They have their feet picked out, I tap the hoof with a hammer so they get use to that.
2) They learn to wear a rug with a surcingle ready for the feeling of a girth.
3) Lead them in hand and long rein over poles, in and out of cones. Get use to things like flags, tarpaulin's etc
4) Teach them to load into a trailer or lorry and travel for a short distance.
5) Play games with them. Take them for walks.
6) They are all shown in hand from yearlings to four year olds. The colts are taught to wear a bit as from 2 yrs old they have to be shown with a bit on the bridle.
Everything to keep their minds active, but take it slowly and have fun.
With my youngsters they are brought in daily.
1) They have their feet picked out, I tap the hoof with a hammer so they get use to that.
2) They learn to wear a rug with a surcingle ready for the feeling of a girth.
3) Lead them in hand and long rein over poles, in and out of cones. Get use to things like flags, tarpaulin's etc
4) Teach them to load into a trailer or lorry and travel for a short distance.
5) Play games with them. Take them for walks.
6) They are all shown in hand from yearlings to four year olds. The colts are taught to wear a bit as from 2 yrs old they have to be shown with a bit on the bridle.
Everything to keep their minds active, but take it slowly and have fun.
Daisy11
Well-Known Member
mine is a 2 yr and so far, he has learnt
to lead, box , farrier , vet ie vacc and teeth , brushing boots , roller ,saddle, bridle ,long reining , going out , rugs , introduce to bike ,dogs flags metal fencing etc all prep for when the time comes to backing him
to lead, box , farrier , vet ie vacc and teeth , brushing boots , roller ,saddle, bridle ,long reining , going out , rugs , introduce to bike ,dogs flags metal fencing etc all prep for when the time comes to backing him
diggerbez
Well-Known Member
so would you have a sit on them or not? (literally a sit on...nothing else) Personally i wouldn't but wondered if there was an argument in favour of doing it?
Rudey
Well-Known Member
I have a 2 year old, and I do the above too.
The only thing I haven't done just yet is long rein - I want to, but MY walking isn't good enough just yet (recovering from a badly broken ankle a year on)!! 
The reason I do SO much with my two year old is to give him a good education which will hopefully create a level headed, sensible unphased ridden horse in years to come.
Also, when I first bought him as a second horse, I was worried if I could financially be able to afford to keep him for the long haul - if not, I wanted to put value on him by taking him showing as a yearling, so he was more appealing to potential buyers. 
My friend has a two year old at the same yard as me - she has let her filly find herself as she believes in letting them be horses in the field to grow into themselves.
Her filly was a homebred foal, and she has no intention of ever selling her, therefore, not in a rush to push education on her like I was with mine. I guess different horses, different owners, and different circumstances influence how we think and go about these things. I don't think either way there is a right or wrong way, it just depends what best suits those involved! xx
tallyho!
Following a strict mediterranean diet...
Humble pied by a vet, who am I in all honesty??? Yes that's probably what I meant thanks SV.
I'll still wait until 5 though if it's all the same
V1NN
Well-Known Member
I got my now 2yr old as just weaned 6month old. Everyday since i'v done a bit of very basic handling just grooming, learning manners whilst leading to and from field. Pulled mane, had clippers run over him (not actually clipped mind)
I pull his legs about a bit and tap his hooves so he is prepared for farrier, he has met farrier a good few times now to.
I take him a walk through our village just once a month or so, we met the rickety old double decker school bus last week and he didnt even blink at it, i was so proud
Walk past the local stud farm and when he see's all the lady horses run over to him prances about tail in air on the spot its so funny he puts no pressure on line at all, totally ignores the stallion though.
I have also jumped about at his side quite a bit, he just looks at me like i'm a complete freak. Stand on a block whilst grooming him so he gets used to seeing me high up. Placed a saddle on his back last week.
Been to a few local shows etc. Other than this he pretty much gets left to his own devices.
He turning in to a very well behaved young man, plan to lightly back him when he turns 3 next yr
I pull his legs about a bit and tap his hooves so he is prepared for farrier, he has met farrier a good few times now to.
I take him a walk through our village just once a month or so, we met the rickety old double decker school bus last week and he didnt even blink at it, i was so proud
Walk past the local stud farm and when he see's all the lady horses run over to him prances about tail in air on the spot its so funny he puts no pressure on line at all, totally ignores the stallion though.
I have also jumped about at his side quite a bit, he just looks at me like i'm a complete freak. Stand on a block whilst grooming him so he gets used to seeing me high up. Placed a saddle on his back last week.
Been to a few local shows etc. Other than this he pretty much gets left to his own devices.
He turning in to a very well behaved young man, plan to lightly back him when he turns 3 next yr
CrazyMare
Well-Known Member
Mine comes in every day and stands in for the day/out at night as our grass has been just too good.
Shes bitted and leading off the noseband/bit, while wearing a roller. She has worn loose (very loose) side reins, which she learnt the hard way hurt if you rear so hasn't done it since.
Shes used to tarpualins/tractors/clippers as she has her legs/face kept tidy with the little trimmers.
She loads into the trailer, walks into the washbox - infact, follows me anywhere I ask her to go!
Has her feet trimmed & hoof dressing on daily - she has her mothers concrete hard feet.
Some days she just vegitates and has a sleep - other days she has to do something for her tea! lol
Shes bitted and leading off the noseband/bit, while wearing a roller. She has worn loose (very loose) side reins, which she learnt the hard way hurt if you rear so hasn't done it since.
Shes used to tarpualins/tractors/clippers as she has her legs/face kept tidy with the little trimmers.
She loads into the trailer, walks into the washbox - infact, follows me anywhere I ask her to go!
Has her feet trimmed & hoof dressing on daily - she has her mothers concrete hard feet.
Some days she just vegitates and has a sleep - other days she has to do something for her tea! lol