2yr colts - handling, what do you do with yours?

[cob&onion]

Did a bit with my 2yr colt today - he's a welsh D and a lovely little chap........when mares are out of sight!! he's a rig - having his op in a few months time so just concentrating on his mannors which are coming along a treat. He has stopped the nipping now, wears a bridle, able to back up, walk on and stand on voice commands. He is not rude or bolshy (compared to this time last year) and is generally a nice boy to be around However when mares are about he changes and becomes a monster!! i haven't yet walked him out in hand as there are alot of mares about so we just do a bit of inhand stuff couple times a week in the field. He seems to enjoy it and looks more settled and has a yawn afterwards
Thinking of putting a roller on him next week with a numnah - just bits and bobs really just to keep up with the groundwork Planning on backing him properly end of next summer when hes 3 depending on how mature he is. He will then be turned away that winter and bought back into work the following spring.
With my mare at 2 i just left her be but i feel he needs this extra handling with him having his bits n pieces, particularly as hes getting bigger all the time! Hes currently around 14hh but still a wispy little devil - alot of filling out and growing to go! hoping he will make around 15hh

What are you doing with your 2yr olds, colts particularly, at the moment?

 

[Georgia8]

I have a 2 year old Welsh Section D colt too! Just do lots of handling with him really.
Stands tied to groom. Go on walks in-hand around the yard, fields and local lanes, will walk and trot in-hand. Been bited a few times. Clipped (he had lice when we got him) and getting used to having his legs washed although can be tricky. Done other desensitization with plastic bags etc. This summer I want to get him loading and will maybe do some low key local in-hand classes so he gets out and sees the big wide world. Will get a roller and saddlepad on him to to get him used to all that business too.

 

[Capriole]

Not much. He comes out of his field for vaccs and farrier, and the occasional walk. Took him for a trailer ride a few weeks ago, not going anywhere, just for training. Hes had a bridle on as he needs one to go out showing but probably wont this year after all as he looks pants.
I wont be bothering with any other tack etc for another 18 months or so, until I start working with him. Hes heading for 16h or thereabouts now.

 

[wits end]

We have 4 two year old colts at the minute, and they do exactly the same as our three 2 year old fillies.
They know vocal commands for walk, trot, canter, stand etc both in hand and loose (we like to do short loose schooling sessions every now and then, hence canter).
They (with the exception of one very soft mouthed filly who will probably be started bitless and stay what way) are bitted and used to being bridled and having boots put on.
They have regular run ins with hosepipes and baths, clippers and we do little mane pulling if necessary, as showing prep. Accordingly, they also load fine and are used being set up square for showing and having judges check legs etc.
They are thoroughly desensitized to working in stressful situations, we let goats, sheep, pigs and our mini donkey run around while we do in hand work to get used to busy warm-up arenas and having to focus on their handlers etc.
From July on wards we'll probably start with rollers and then saddes, since they're all looking mature enough already it's just a lack of time on my behalf.

 

[TelH]

My 2yo is a gelding He's only a tiddler, he will make 11.2hh or thereabouts. He is mostly enjoying being a baby out in the field. His partner in crime is my mini Shettie, she is currently teaching him how to climb through the elec fence He has all basic handling, ties up for grooming, behaves himself for the farrier etc. I've pulled his mane twice, he goes for a little walk round the village once or twice a week and he's learning to go in the trailer. He may go to a show later in the summer or I may leave him til next year, he was a late-ish foal, born in August, and he still looks more like a yearling. I have his full sister too, she's a 3yo and is going to her first ever show next month

 

[Kallibear]

I've got a 2yr old ISH gelding.

Unhandled until he arrived 2 months ago: had been wrestled into a headcollar, led about a bit and tied up briefly. Utterly terrified when he arrived.

Just working on basic handling: touched all over, brushing, feet picked up, reinforcing leading and tying (he's pretty good). Rugs on. Flyspray and suncream. Legs washed. Had clippers on him (being nosey when cob has her legs clipped). Loading. Walking out inhand to see the world.

He's only 2 and in no rush to DO anything with him so that can all wait until he's a reliable member of society.