how long is this phase????

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my 2 1/2yr old is going through her aqdolescent phase i think nd saying no to lots of things. she is fine being brushed and led but getting used to wearing a saddle/roller and bridle and walking over things, plastic etc which she has been doing really well with she is starting to say no you cant make me attitude which we persevere with and i make her do iot but just wondered how long this lasts as looking to break her next spring. she is TBxoldenburg at 16.2

 

[gails]

Ahhhh, the teeanage years

I dont like bribes but with all teenagers it seems to b the ' what is in it for me?'

Make it the best thing ever ( this is my dog training head, which does not do me much harm with horses) the bag maybe a little boring but, the reward at the end is well worth the effort.

If that does not work, you have to back to the begiining, make it interesting and exciting and when she suceeds really go over the top, not just a pat or a carrot, make her really think she is the best thing since sliced bread.

It has worked for my boy, so can only comment on the neurotic tb

 

[devilwoman]

How funny my filly is 2½ and is EXACTLY the same - she is driving me nuts - obviously the terrible 2's - she has suddenly decided she doesn't box well anymore after loading herself all summer previously - she has decided that she now bites when you lead her after previously never ever biting before - she trys to push us around - won't move over when asked whereas a few months back you'd only have to say round and over she'd go - i feel like i've got my kids back at that toddler stage again - I am making allowances for her age but she can only push so far.

 

[Alyth]

Also - like teenagers - you need to make things interesting for her!! Try the Parelli games and expanding them. Works every time for me!! Alyth

 

[JanetGeorge]

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How funny my filly is 2½ and is EXACTLY the same - she is driving me nuts - obviously the terrible 2's -

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Mmm ... there's an answer in this thread. I have 7 x 2 year olds at present - and none of them give me any trouble. I throw feed (haylage only) at them twice a day and say 'hi' (usually from over the fence) and bring them in every 8 weeks for the farrier! They all are easy to catch, handle, lead, trim, etc. That's all I want of them.

And this year we have backed 5 x 3 year olds (including one colt) who were treated exactly the same way last year. They were all very easy - took 3-4 weeks before they were hacking out quietly alone or in company.

The reason? Partly breeding - but mainly that we left them to be young horses - growing up with minimal human 'interference'. They did not become OVERLY familiar - or bored!