Leading a 2 year old off another Horse?

[3Beasties]

Is this a BIG no, no??

My two year old is currently very bored, I am doing a small amount in the school with her a couple of times a week to try and help but I was thinking of leading her round the stubble fields from my other horse to give her something a bit more exciting to do, this would involve a tiny bit of road work and then I would have 180 acres to ride across.

I would only stick to walk and possible (depending on how she was behaving!) a little bit of trot.

Am I mad to even consider this?

 

[millitiger]

not at all mad!

few things to do first- make sure your older horse is ok leading with a quiet horse first.

take your 2yro out on a 'hack' with your older horse with someone on the ground leading her to start with in case she gets excited.

make sure 2yro is happy with people above her when grooming etc.

have a go in the school first with you in control from your horse to ensure 2yro understands braking/steering etc before setting off on a hack.

what are you planning to lead her from?
i prefer a control halter of some sort as a headcollar imo is not enough if they have a whoopsie and a bridle can damage the mouth in the same scenario.

i have ridden and led lots of my youngsters and they have all been fine but we did the prep first before venturing onto the fields (and roads).

 

[Gluttonforpunishment]

Yup - think you're mad, sorry.

She's bound to have a little prat about through excitment (unless she is a total saint / dope on a rope), would you be able to deal with that whilst on your other horse?

Big ask of your horse not to react if the youngster has a squealing / bucking fit. Do you think you'd be able to hold the youngster and control your horse too? Just thinking this could get messy.

Maybe just take her out around the fields in hand for a while first? Just an idea.

 

[AmyMay]

How do you know she's bored?

 

[hudsonw]

I think it's a good idea to start taking your youngster for walks but I would do it inhand for a few months first.
I take my 2 year old out for walks but my friend walks her horse out with us. He's had a couple of moments and there is no way I would have held him if I was on a horse.
Your youngster will be taking so much in they will for get any manners they have if they see somthing scary!!!
Good idea to walk out with another horse, bad idea for you to ride and lead.

 

[UnaB]

I did this with mine from when she was 18 months old. I have a very sensible older pony who I have had for years and know very well and it was the perfect way to get her out and about.

My girl was very sensible about everything and we have never had an incident, i only take her out with a bridle so i have full control over both horses, but yeah... no problems at all. Now she is broken in and doing very well i have started swapping them over so she is the "lead pony" and my old boy is taken out with us when i hack out on her. Gets them both exercised in half the time


ETA: I had walked her out inhand first a few times beforehand and would recommend doing that. Also, if your youngster is highly strung i would definately have someone walking with you. Mine has always been VERY chilled out and never once acted like a young horse but you have to judge it by your horses temperment

 

[Cedars]

Not mad, but I would DEFINITELY do alot of work with someone on the ground first - unless your ridden horse is a dope on a rope and would stand still and not move if you had to hop off and deal with the little one.

But sounds like a great plan so long as you have lots of preparation=]

 

[cobface]

This is my plan
I will be walking out my youngster in hand with my friends steady horse a few times (who regularly leads out her pony), my other mare is only 5 but very good on the roads and sensible - then i will walk on foot and friends horse will lead out my youngster so am on the ground if need be, then me on my mare, friend leading on foot, then me on mare leading youngster with friend on foot a good few times before i even attempt to go it alone!

If that makes sense?!