Light exercise for a fat 2 year old?

L

LuandLu24

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 July 2014
Messages
102
Visit site
Hi all,

I have a 2 year old who has recently become a little chubster. Is there any light exercise she can do? I don't want to over work her as she's only a baby and i want to keep her that way until she's mature. She wont keep a grazing muzzle on, we dont have stabling anymore, i cant do a starvation paddock for her as she doesnt respect electric fence, etc so im out of ideas. The field she's in has been eaten down now so there's only a little bit of grass for her to munch on now. She isnt on feed, just out on the grass 24/7.The only work I've done with her is when i take her on 10 minute walks around the lanes which is rare for me to do as terrible twos has taken over and i dont want her damaging peoples cars... I don't want to ruin her by overworking, I'm such a worrier...

So does anyone have any ideas? Thanks im advance! :)
 
Last edited:
If she is bitted (some people bit early) then start the long reining. Up hills at walk. You can go for miles long reining. Get her used to traffic also.
 
Tern said:
If she is bitted (some people bit early) then start the long reining. Up hills at walk. You can go for miles long reining. Get her used to traffic also.
Click to expand...

She's not bitted but i do have a cavesson i could use instead. Thank you, i think I'll have to start long reining early (lightly though) :)
 
LuandLu24 said:
She's not bitted but i do have a cavesson i could use instead. Thank you, i think I'll have to start long reining early (lightly though) :)
Click to expand...

Yep, if you trust her you can do it off a cavesson or headcollar but just make sure she is 100% doing it in the field before you take her out on the roads and when you do get someone next to her head.
 
LuandLu24 said:
Hi all,

I have a 2 year old who has recently become a little chubster. Is there any light exercise she can do? I don't want to over work her as she's only a baby and i want to keep her that way until she's mature.I don't want to ruin her by overworking, I'm such a worrier...

So does anyone have any ideas? Thanks im advance! :)
Click to expand...

pony off another horse. You can put the miles in and she will learn at the same time plus a decent lead horse will probably put her in her place. I don't think you can overwork a 2 yo. I think they need all the movement they can get to produce a strong horse. Think of feral foals, yearlings and 2yo's and how many miles they will have done daily over all terrains.
 
Rather than strip or starvation paddock, if the field is small enough then fence an entire ring to make a single track round the outside - if all the grass is short then there is no need for her to challenge the fence, make sure she has hay if there is a shortage of grass, and feed and water in opposite sides. Has made a huge difference to the weight and fitness of my youngsters. Other than that, as others have said, walking out in hand/by pony/longreining as much as possible! If it is just walking then I don't see how you could overdo it, they are designed to walk miles and miles. My guys have been going on inhand hacks of up to 3 miles since they were less than a year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top