michellev123
Well-Known Member
Hey as title really, just looking for some inspiration for things to do with my 2 year old. . . . . . .
Any ideas. . . .
Any ideas. . . .
What do you do with your youngsters?
- Thread starter michellev123
- Start date
miss_bird
Well-Known Member
i generally spend time leading mine out around the roads, walking them over everything and introducing them to as many things as possible.
I also long rein them, on the routes they have walked in hand.
I also long rein them, on the routes they have walked in hand.
lucy1984
Well-Known Member
Depending on build and maturity of horse I would expect at that age:
You should be able to touch the youngster all over.
The youngster should be able to be led with out stepping into your space.
Introduce a bit.
Introduce a saddle.
Leading out on roads.
De-spook - ie, rub a plastic bag all over body, lead them over obstacles to gain confidence. Past 'scary' objects.
Long rein.
Load into lorry/trailers.
In-hand showing perhaps? - getting them used to new situations etc.
erm...think thats all I would do at that age. I wouldnt lunge as it puts toomuch strain on a youngster, not until they are more towards 3/4 years old.
IMO.
You should be able to touch the youngster all over.
The youngster should be able to be led with out stepping into your space.
Introduce a bit.
Introduce a saddle.
Leading out on roads.
De-spook - ie, rub a plastic bag all over body, lead them over obstacles to gain confidence. Past 'scary' objects.
Long rein.
Load into lorry/trailers.
In-hand showing perhaps? - getting them used to new situations etc.
erm...think thats all I would do at that age. I wouldnt lunge as it puts toomuch strain on a youngster, not until they are more towards 3/4 years old.
IMO.
TelH
Well-Known Member
My baby is rising 3 now but I showed her all last season...apart from showing she just gets led out round the lanes at home and we practise for showing like standing square, trotting out etc. She hasn't been bitted yet but as she is only a tiddler (8hh
) I'm never going to ride her so don't see the rush. I show her in a leather headcollar.
lastchancer
Well-Known Member
As the others have said plus let them get used to the sight and sound of clippers and other horses getting shod.
CrazyMare
Well-Known Member
My 2 yr old is pretty much left to her own devices. She gets led every day, has her feet picked up/trimmed. Shes been bitted, loads, lets me trim her with clippers.
Can touch her all over, and make her a plastic bag 'hat' etc.
Don't see the rush with her yet, shes no way mature enough to long rein.
Can touch her all over, and make her a plastic bag 'hat' etc.
Don't see the rush with her yet, shes no way mature enough to long rein.
Britestar
Well-Known Member
Mine gets led to and from the field. He has to step back when I open the stable door. Other than that he pretty much left to him own devices - he has lots of playmates to keep him busy.
imafluffybunny
Well-Known Member
I too agree that 2 year olds need to be out playing with their friends, my youngster stands like an angel for me/farrier, led perfectly, has seen traffic etc.
Lunging,biting, saddles wont be started until she is 3. I think they are too young until then.
Lunging,biting, saddles wont be started until she is 3. I think they are too young until then.
furrycat
Well-Known Member
I've got a 2 yr old. At the moment she lives out and I just get her in at weekends for a groom etc and that is it. I showed her in-hand last year as a yearling though so she loads and travels, stands in box at shows etc by herself. I can also bath her easily and hose her, I can trim her with my big clippers, she has her feet trimmed regularly by farrier, she is generally a really easy going girl.
She has worn a bridle a few times but I've not led her from the bit. Last year I led her out on the lanes a few times (which she loved! She is a very adventurous girl), and I also led her around in the school and over poles etc.
Later this year I will probably introduce her to long-reining and will do more in-hand showing, but thats about it really.
She has worn a bridle a few times but I've not led her from the bit. Last year I led her out on the lanes a few times (which she loved! She is a very adventurous girl), and I also led her around in the school and over poles etc.
Later this year I will probably introduce her to long-reining and will do more in-hand showing, but thats about it really.