Fun things to do with a 2 year old!!

[shah's mum]

Can anyone give me some idea's of what to do with a 2 year old shetland??

I took him on as he was unwanted and had been left in a field since birth, I started driving lessons for my 40th birthday and love driving shetlands, so I thought I would give him a chance to be a driving pony..

In the month I have had him he has learnt alot, grooming, feet picked out, walking out in hand, fly spray, bath. Just had his feet trimmed for first time ever, was a star!

He finds walking out in hand boring.. How can I make it more exciting for him?

I have done some groundwork and voice work with him, just as I handle him really nothing formal,I know he is only young and mustnt do too much but I would like to get him moving/exercising...

Any tips appreciated..

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Rather than leading him out inhand, could you start long-reining him? I must admit that I would expect any pony to be interested in the things he sees out and about, perhaps you need to try different routes, without asking the pony to do too much at once.

 

[mandwhy]

Yes if you want to do driving in future then long reining makes perfect sense.

When you say he finds walking out boring, what do you mean? Like does he just seem like he's seen it all before... If so that's probably a good thing for a driving pony!

 

[Shysmum]

Can you try join up ?

 

[shah's mum]

Yes he does act like has seen it all before.. He certainly isnt phased by traffic. But what I really meant was he seems to need an incentive to leave home, very ploddy on way out, quicker on way back ha ha..
My trimmer told me he had a nappy rescue horse once and used to hide a bucket of food half way round his ride, it got him going out and gradually phased it out... I think longreigning would be a good idea,then he wouldnt just have a view of my bottom!! after schooling and practicing in field.
Is it frowned upon to lonreign on the roads?? We are in the New Forest so roads are 'generally' quiet/safe/pony friendly..

 

[shah's mum]

Can you try join up ?

I'm not sure I have got my head around it yet
Do I need a round pen? We only have a field..

I have started doing the 7 games... but alot of that is him standing and me exercising

Throwing leadropes round our heads, bouncing balls, jogging round him (that freaked him out!, mum what you doing??)

Will look more into join up...