New 2 year old filly

[hannahob77]

Hi all,
I lost my dear 21 year old Welsh B girl a couple of weeks ago suddenly to colic.. I have fallen for a 2 year old Sec D who reminds me of her so have brought her… heart over head! Could anyone give me any tips of what/where I start with her.. never had anything under 5 and not broken. I’m lucky I have my own yard, she will be primarily a companion to my TB but also want her to learn boundaries, feet, rugs etc x thank you.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Do lots of inhand stuff while she is this age and when you start to break she will be easy. Lots of practice, feet, grooming, washing, farrier, dentist, vet, long reigning.
Sorry to hear about your horse, colic sucks

 

[hannahob77]

Do lots of inhand stuff while she is this age and when you start to break she will be easy. Lots of practice, feet, grooming, washing, farrier, dentist, vet, long reigning.
Sorry to hear about your horse, colic sucks

Thank you xx yes it does, was so fast and unexpected

 

[94lunagem]

Sorry to hear about your loss, it’s heartbreaking especially when it’s sudden.

There are many posters more used to youngsters than me. I’ve only had one, from a weanling who I sold at 4 as he was going to be too small for me. From day one after he came home I treated him the same as my others, with the same expectations about manners and behaviour. I’m a firm believer in just getting on with things. Don’t faff about, yes be cautious of new things but if you want her foot just pick it up. Go gently but approach putting a rug on without it being a big deal. Etc. You’ll soon learn what she might need a bit more time understanding. Spend time with her, so lots in hand and lots of contact time grooming and building trust. I did a lot of long reining to get mine used to walking out on his own (edited to add this came at 3 rising 4). I don’t treat/tit bit any age (personal preference), especially not youngsters who are more likely to develop a nip.

Essentially crack on and enjoy getting to know each other.

 

[hannahob77]

Sorry to hear about your loss, it’s heartbreaking especially when it’s sudden.

There are many posters more used to youngsters than me. I’ve only had one, from a weanling who I sold at 4 as he was going to be too small for me. From day one after he came home I treated him the same as my others, with the same expectations about manners and behaviour. I’m a firm believer in just getting on with things. Don’t faff about, yes be cautious of new things but if you want her foot just pick it up. Go gently but approach putting a rug on without it being a big deal. Etc. You’ll soon learn what she might need a bit more time understanding. Spend time with her, so lots in hand and lots of contact time grooming and building trust. I did a lot of long reining to get mine used to walking out on his own. I don’t treat/tit bit any age (personal preference), especially not youngsters who are more likely to develop a nip.

Essentially crack on and enjoy getting to know each other.

Thank you, great advice, I like to think of myself as a non faffer

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would just do the daily handling like you would with a non ridden horse but at 2 they really do benefit from living out with other youngsters rather than one older horse, some young horses can be a bit of a pest to older horses if they have no other younger horses to be out with.

I wouldn't be long reining a 2 year old thet are still babies abd need a few years living like one really.

 

[TheMule]

A normal, healthy 2yr old should live out in a herd (no rug) with quiet handling for routine appointments. Yours should already be well practiced at picking up feet as will have had foot care since birth (assuming she has been done properly)
I have done 4 more structured sessions with my 2 year olds in total this year where they have worn a bit and roller and got used to the mounting block while stood munching their hay in a pen. That’s plenty, they don’t need any more at this stage. Certainly no long reining as suggested above!

 

[94lunagem]

Certainly no long reining as suggested above!

If aimed at me you have interpreted incorrectly. I referred to selling at 4, and what I described above was a progression. Long reining came nearer to 4.

But I do disagree on the rug, if OP doesn’t have good shelter and winter persists as wet as it is now, a rug does no harm if pony needs it.

 

[TheMule]

If aimed at me you have interpreted incorrectly. I referred to selling at 4, and what I described above was a progression. Long reining came nearer to 4.

But I do disagree on the rug, if OP doesn’t have good shelter and winter persists as wet as it is now, a rug does no harm if pony needs it.

It wasn’t aimed at you
A 2yr old Welsh Section D shouldn’t need a rug. If the field doesn’t have some form of natural or man made shelter then it isn’t suitable to run a herd of young horses in. They can do significant harm to a playful of young horses liable to become tangled in straps.