what do you do with your 2yo's

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neeny5

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just interested as to what people do with their two year olds? I know some people who back at 2, I don't agree with this but don't want to cause an argument it's just my opinion.
 
Nothing - they're babies and deserve time to just grow and enjoy being young.

Some ground work can be done - I hobble broke mine, put a bit in her mouth once her wolf teeth had been pulled, girthed up a saddle on her (leaving her tied and allowing her to walk around calmly, definitely NOT letting her buck and thrash with it on), taught her to wear a rug and boots.

I should have taught her to go on a trailer, but I didn't really know how, so I left that to the trainer to do when she went for backing.

I don't agree with backing at two, their bones are still soft and there really is no point in blowing their minds at that age.
 
I've never backed until 4. At 2, I still see them as babies, and like to get them out and about seeing the world. Sometimes in hand, and sometimes (if you have suitable horses and somewhere safe to go) ride and lead.
 
leave them out to be babies i do. but i like to keep them well handled and behaved, they grown too big to mess about after 2. i might possibly bit mine a little this summer, shes started getting strong to lead etc...
 
was just curious. my new 2yo i brush everyday, change rugs everyday, pick feet up most days, thats about it. occasionally take for walks in hand etc. he loves a fuss though follows me everywhere.
 
As above, they are babies at two and need another two years (sometimes more, they are all individual ) to just enjoy growing and playing. All ours have large hills within their fields which does wonders for muscle development. Ground work in the way of teaching good manners should be done from birth, but without overhandling.
As a child, about 45 years ago I rode for a dealer who broke everything at two, and sold them as "quiet childrens ponies" which of course we kids who hung around waiting for rides did. Even remember Pony Clubbing with knots in my girth. I shudder at the thought now I know better!
 
just left to be a baby, just did the usual grooming, feet etc.. mine still follows me everywhere at nearly 4 - bit of a bugger when trying to work with him but he has got the idea at long last of long reining etc - but I do love it when he comes running up in the field, gives me a kiss and then runs off to play .... he has a big part of my heart...:D
 
Nothing much to be honest - although mine was bitted as a yearling so we could take her to Futurity and Osberton, and also has been on a lorry to get to said events.

This year she's going up to Twemlows for ET and then in the autumn I think we'll get her used to a roller, boots and a rug.

We'll also do the Futurity again and Osberton, so she'll be pampered a bit, washed and plaited etc for those events, but apart from that she'll be left alone.
 
Mine will be 2 in May and I bought him aged 15mths. He had been very well handled before i got him so is ok to have his feet picked out etc. We haven't handled him quite as much since we've had him - more left him to be a horse/baby and he's been out 24/7. He has had a rug on for the first time and now is fine with that. He is brushed on occasion (more regularly now it's lighter on an evening) today he had his in hand bridle on for the first time. We have popped the bit in his mouth before but the first time today for having it on and staying in for a bit.

I intend on doing some in hand stuff with him this summer (nothing too serious, just to get him used to going out an about) and I think being able to lead him in a bit will be handy soI can walk him out on the roads and have control as he's about 15.2hh now and quite strong willed in some ways! All in all though I don't want to do too much or over face him so it's a case of trying things and seeing how he takes to it. I do want to get him in a school and get him used to walking on a lunge (with someone leading) and start longreining him lightly.
 
my 2 year old is living out enjoying being a horse, he was previously stabled 24/7 at his old home due to lack of turnout. he gets brought in everyday for a small feed then straight back out again. he is 3 in may so will be starting some groundwork with him then. He has however been very well handled for his age and will do most things and is very laid back about everything.
 
With mine, he is in at night, getting him used to being stabled, feet picked (and hopefully meeting the farrier soon), brushed, led, sprayed with fly spray etc, tied up, he's travelled, caught, turned out etc. Hoping to try a bath soon! Just trying to do all the 'normal' things he'll meet as a big boy before he gets to one! Then maybe if we're doing ok towards the end of the year take him to a local show to get him to see the sights really and perhaps start leading out in traffic with my older horse- will see how we go with that! Only had him about 5 weeks so it's all new at the minute! Up to now, he's taking it all in his stride :D
 
I try not to have 2 year olds, if I did then, depending on the individual (as always) they would be long reining, getting out and about and yes, they would be backed.

If anyone has an old (and I mean old, 2nd edition is 1964) Pony Club 'Training the young horse and pony' you will read that it actually advocates (with the usual provisos) backing horses at 2 years old. How times change eh?
 
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Puzzle is nearly 2 and can:
Load herself onto trailer she's a dream with it.
She's bitted as showed her last summer.
We went showing.
Groomed all over.
Feet picked out.
Stands for farrier.
Stands for dentist including electric rasps.
Wears rugs.
Wears travel boots.
Will let me jump up and down by her side a la mounting.
Will let me lean right over her (my weight supported by OH or fence).
Stables overnight.
Has playtime with me in the school including walk and trot, coloured poles, tiny jumps, races with mummy etc. She's still too young to long rein as she's still got a lot of growing to do.

The only three things I would say she won't do compared to our adults is:
Lead properly (hence my broken foot ATM!!!)
Accept being sprayed with water or bottles.
And tie up-which is entirely my fault as we never have a need to tie up on our yard ever so I just don't ask her which is naughty of me!

Xx
 
Titchy has to be in at night over winter, so obviously stables. She is led to and from the field every day, usually with Genie as it's easier to take the two at once, sometimes on her own if I'm riding Genie. She has been to shows including a big championship show, she ties, wears travel boots, will be rugged, stands to have legs and feet hosed off, has her feet trimmed every 12 weeks, feet picked out every day, is bitted for showing, has had an elastic surcingale round her belly, and has loose schooled with Genie. Generally she just spends all her time in the field/stable, it's not often she ventures into the school for a play at the moment.
 
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