Things to do when your pony is two

[BBP]

Little Connemara is now 2 years old (I say little but he has outgrown BBP…I forget how small BBP is!). He’s a cool little guy, and is showing off an aptitude to be an excellent cross country horse, jumping anything in front of him (we have a bank with steps and a tyre jump out on the track system and he jumps them all by himself for fun…not the recommended rehab but ?‍). I know there are a zillion posts out there on what you should or should not do with a youngster so this is more of a ‘what should I do to make myself his best human?’ post.

I have started yoga and meditation and practice both out in the fields with the horses. It’s made it clear that I have been useless at any kind of mindfulness, my brain is like trying to put a lit firework back in its box (bbp and I are similar like that), so I’m noticing a real difference in myself already, enjoying more stillness and being more present in the moment. I’m also using the yoga to improve my posture and flexibility so that when I finally come to ride him I’m as supple and straight (and slim!) as I can be for him.

Im working through the work of Celeste Lazaris in understanding more about the physiology of the horse and developing relaxation and straightness (just starting!), so each time I work with him to catch and lead I’m asking for that relaxation of the chain of muscles under his neck, to try to set him up to develop a functional way of moving rather than the brave that he and BBP are both inclined to.

Im also tuning in to the Warwick Schiller podcasts and videos which I’ve also found great for my new found hippy dippy approach ?

What other stuff can I do to be the best me I can for him as he grows up? I’d like to take some simulator lessons later in the year but ideally ideas for things that are free?

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

I've got no ideas but also been wondering the same thing. I've been looking at Warwicks stuff online and I think it really is working. The other week my youngster lost it a bit and got a over excited, for the first time ever we had spinning and bucking, instead of getting wound up and trying to control him and calm him down, I just concentrated on my breathing and keeping myself calm and just getting his attention and it was like magic he just came back down and we carried on like nothing had happened.
I might try yoga in the field but I'm wary that my two will come and "help" me and I'll end up in a heap on the floor with two curious ponies looking down at me wondering why their human fell over so easily ?

 

[Landcruiser]

There are loads of things you can do, which are fun as well as preparing him for his working life. I'm doing this with my 3 yr old, just chucking lots of stuff at her (literally sometimes) so she'll have a good grounding.
Rope breaking ie ropes all over, between the legs, thrown over the top, dragging ropes behind (try attaching things as well, like water cannisters, tarps...etc)
Flappy things, umbrellas, other spooky things. Can you throw a coat over the top of him? Drop it next to his head? Chuck it under him? Can you lead him while pulling a wheely bin? Dragging a big tarpaulin?
Surfaces - will he step onto unfamiliar surfaces? Into water? Things that make a noise? (like bubblewrap, plastic bottles).
Going out for walks in hand.
You get my drift? I could go on but the world is your oyster really.

 

[Patterdale]

Put a bridle on, girth a saddle up, walks and long reining, and throw my 5 year old child on now and then. None of this is ‘work’ - they go weeks without having a headcollar on, then faffed with at feed time now and then.

I’ve tried the untouched until 3 approach and I don’t think much of it. But it’s getting the balance between not over handling them.

I think if you can teach them to like interacting with people, and be accepting of new things, then that’s a good job done. And there are many ways of achieving that

 

[milliepops]

I might try yoga in the field but I'm wary that my two will come and "help" me and I'll end up in a heap on the floor with two curious ponies looking down at me wondering why their human fell over so easily ?

same!

i think you're going to get lots of posts about things to do with the pony OP but if I've read it right you're asking for things YOU can do that don't necessarily involve him?

 

[BBP]

same!

i think you're going to get lots of posts about things to do with the pony OP but if I've read it right you're asking for things YOU can do that don't necessarily involve him?

Yes that’s what I meant, but of course I don’t mind any of the posts about what people do with their youngsters ? More good resources to read or physical exercises to do/ programs to follow whilst baby does his thing growing up so that I’m in a good mental and physical place to do my best by him.

 

[BBP]

I might try yoga in the field but I'm wary that my two will come and "help" me and I'll end up in a heap on the floor with two curious ponies looking down at me wondering why their human fell over so easily ?

That is a risk! Probably wouldn’t pass a risk assessment! This is baby Connemara busy being fascinated by me doing toe touches to the ground. I probably ought to the on the other side of a fence really
.

 

[JackFrost]

REALLY get to know him. I find I too easily judge my youngsters based on others I have had, instead of focusing on them as an individual.
I think the way to do this is to try out lots of different things, watching his reactions, and you will understand the way he perceives the world and processes questions. If you have really got to understand them as youngsters, the big boy stuff is so much easier.
And listen listen listen, and let him know you are listening, so he knows he can 'tell' you things.

 

[SEL]

General fitness too. My 4yo and I did 4 miles in hand today and we would have done more but I could feel a blister starting! I'm always surprised by people who struggle to walk out with their horses because they just aren't fit enough

 

[BBP]

General fitness too. My 4yo and I did 4 miles in hand today and we would have done more but I could feel a blister starting! I'm always surprised by people who struggle to walk out with their horses because they just aren't fit enough

Good point. I did 64 miles in a day last year, and hopefully same again next year, so I’m hoping I’ll be okay on the handwalking front!

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

That is a risk! Probably wouldn’t pass a risk assessment! This is baby Connemara busy being fascinated by me doing toe touches to the ground. I probably ought to the on the other side of a fence really
.View attachment 95268

Aww that's a lovely photo, I could cope with polite fascination like that but my youngster like to investigate things by first bashing them with his foot, I'm slightly worried I would be helped back up with a not so gentle nudge from his clumsy hoof.

 

[SEL]

Good point. I did 64 miles in a day last year, and hopefully same again next year, so I’m hoping I’ll be okay on the handwalking front!

Endurance hand walking!!!

 

[Marigold4]

Little Connemara is now 2 years old (I say little but he has outgrown BBP…I forget how small BBP is!). He’s a cool little guy, and is showing off an aptitude to be an excellent cross country horse, jumping anything in front of him (we have a bank with steps and a tyre jump out on the track system and he jumps them all by himself for fun…not the recommended rehab but ?‍). I know there are a zillion posts out there on what you should or should not do with a youngster so this is more of a ‘what should I do to make myself his best human?’ post.

I have started yoga and meditation and practice both out in the fields with the horses. It’s made it clear that I have been useless at any kind of mindfulness, my brain is like trying to put a lit firework back in its box (bbp and I are similar like that), so I’m noticing a real difference in myself already, enjoying more stillness and being more present in the moment. I’m also using the yoga to improve my posture and flexibility so that when I finally come to ride him I’m as supple and straight (and slim!) as I can be for him.

Im working through the work of Celeste Lazaris in understanding more about the physiology of the horse and developing relaxation and straightness (just starting!), so each time I work with him to catch and lead I’m asking for that relaxation of the chain of muscles under his neck, to try to set him up to develop a functional way of moving rather than the brave that he and BBP are both inclined to.

Im also tuning in to the Warwick Schiller podcasts and videos which I’ve also found great for my new found hippy dippy approach ?

What other stuff can I do to be the best me I can for him as he grows up? I’d like to take some simulator lessons later in the year but ideally ideas for things that are free?

A local youngstock showing class?

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Mim and I explored for hours in hand. I introduced her to all sorts of animals, tractors, bridges, trains, lorries. Watching her surprised baby face try to make sense of things never got old. I really miss that stage actually. There’s not much she hasn’t seen now!

 

[blitznbobs]

Teach them to load

 

[BBP]

Teach them to load

I have to say he’s an absolute poppet for loading. His first time ever on a box was to do the big journey over from Ireland, his next two were to go to horse hospital and yet every time he still pops on really sweetly. And if the box is open he just loads himself. But it’s a good point as something not to forget to keep including.

 

[BBP]

Mim and I explored for hours in hand. I introduced her to all sorts of animals, tractors, bridges, trains, lorries. Watching her surprised baby face try to make sense of things never got old. I really miss that stage actually. There’s not much she hasn’t seen now!

He has just restarted in hand walks since his injury so I’m really looking forwards to getting him out to see the world. I’ve taken him out in company but both times he has taken the lead without the slightest thought. He’s really independent in the field and isn’t bothered if he’s on his own at any point so that’s hopefully a good start.

 

[dorsetladette]

We have a 2yr old C gelding. We've had him since he was 7 months. He's super intelligent and if he gets bored looks for his own entertainment.
I've found the foal to 5yrs book really helpful for idea's of where he should be in his development. For me physically I'm concentrating on loosing weight in order back him next year. I have set my target as xmas but realistically I probably won't sit on him until spring.
For his development he goes out showing, but no more than once a month (don't want to over do it). Which means he's regularly going out in the box. In the winter he goes for a ride out when we take the lorry for a run or for fuel. He loves his adventures. we've chosen shows where he'll experience different things, so he's seen different surfaces and an in door school, we've been on a showground with a tannoy system, he's been in busy collecting rings etc. He goes out for walks in hand, on his own and with the old cob. He wears a set of driving harness and yesterday did his first bit of long reining (from the headcollar), just 10 mins round the yard with me at his head. At the moment its all fun and exciting to him, so he loves it. It makes teaching him new things so easy.

It sounds like we do alot, but the majority of his life he's in a field being a baby horse doing baby horse things. And the time he does spend doing 'stuff' he's having fun and being rewarded for the behaviour we want to encourage. My hope is that we have a well rounded young pony that will deal with most (you can never say all) situations well once under saddle. My pet hate is the 4/5yr old horses at clinics that have melt downs as 'he's never seen a ______ (fill in as appropriate) before' not always the riders/current owners fault, but I don't see why you would wait until a pony is backed and ridden away to start other parts of their education. Your just setting them up to fail (IMHO).

 

[SEL]

We have a 2yr old C gelding. We've had him since he was 7 months. He's super intelligent and if he gets bored looks for his own entertainment.
I've found the foal to 5yrs book really helpful for idea's of where he should be in his development. For me physically I'm concentrating on loosing weight in order back him next year. I have set my target as xmas but realistically I probably won't sit on him until spring.
For his development he goes out showing, but no more than once a month (don't want to over do it). Which means he's regularly going out in the box. In the winter he goes for a ride out when we take the lorry for a run or for fuel. He loves his adventures. we've chosen shows where he'll experience different things, so he's seen different surfaces and an in door school, we've been on a showground with a tannoy system, he's been in busy collecting rings etc. He goes out for walks in hand, on his own and with the old cob. He wears a set of driving harness and yesterday did his first bit of long reining (from the headcollar), just 10 mins round the yard with me at his head. At the moment its all fun and exciting to him, so he loves it. It makes teaching him new things so easy.

It sounds like we do alot, but the majority of his life he's in a field being a baby horse doing baby horse things. And the time he does spend doing 'stuff' he's having fun and being rewarded for the behaviour we want to encourage. My hope is that we have a well rounded young pony that will deal with most (you can never say all) situations well once under saddle. My pet hate is the 4/5yr old horses at clinics that have melt downs as 'he's never seen a ______ (fill in as appropriate) before' not always the riders/current owners fault, but I don't see why you would wait until a pony is backed and ridden away to start other parts of their education. Your just setting them up to fail (IMHO).

I was the jockey for a friend's sec C when she backed him many years ago and he'd had the same education you're giving yours - he was an absolute delight and turned into a brilliant hack because he was so brave. She'd shown him since he was a yearling and not a lot bothered him.

I also have one who fits into the other category and she has been very, very hard to manage!