What do you look for in 2 year olds?

at 2 yr old, id say they were more or less formed! and that any conformational faults would be noticeable now, so treat it as any other horse! try to look for things that may prevent him/her being sound in later life :) good luck! .. get him/her vetted too!
 
I would look for good conformation, feet, teeth. Kind eye and good temperament. You can forgive a few minor flaws like maybe being slightly off set through it's knees etc as often they will strengthen up as they mature. I would want a good shoulder. Not too straight through it's hind leg. Good swinging walk - should be capable of being led up in-hand. I would also want to see it trot in-hand. Bear in mind that when it comes to being vetted it is going to have to do this. It will also have to be lunged to be wind tested so the owners will have to have it at a stage where it can be handled safely by a vet, therefore being trotted up in-hand shouldn't be a problem. If you are not used to youngstock then remember if you are buying a warmblood or even a sports horse type at 2 years old they can look very unfurnished. You need to be able to see the greater picture and I think this only comes down to practise! Happy shopping
 
Kenzo said:
The sire and dam is always a good start, a lot can change from a being a 2 yr to a 6 yr old.
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Very true - and looking at sire and dam is helpful - but of course the youngster is a 'mix'. Older full siblings are better - half-siblings aren't much help because they can be TOTALLY different!

Can you see a lot of similarity between these?? All out of the same RID mare.

By Criminal Law: (she's the one I like best - VERY like her dam!)
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By Primitive Rising (a massive 17.3)

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By Set Adrift (a mere 16.1)

Megan1.jpg
 
After looking at all normal conformation etc. In a 2 yr old I would always look at their attitude and nature as in the next few years you are going to be working very closely with them to get them to the ridden horse that you desire and a horse with a willing attitude and kind/good nature makes this 10 times more fun and often a little easier!
 
mturnbull said:
After looking at all normal conformation etc. In a 2 yr old I would always look at their attitude and nature as in the next few years you are going to be working very closely with them to get them to the ridden horse that you desire and a horse with a willing attitude and kind/good nature makes this 10 times more fun and often a little easier!
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That’s an intersting point, I’d would of agreed with that in the past and of course it does make perfrect common sense but I do think a horse’s personality and attitude can take a whole 360 turn and totally change, some horses that have 'known attitudes' can actually be very straight forward to train and break so I don’t think you can use that as a rule of thumb in all cases. :)

But looking at the both the dam and sire’s competition record also gives a hell of a lot away, anything that has a long succesful competition record with very few injuries… 9 times out of ten shows you are breding for movement which comes with a good confo and of course as stated above, a tempretment to do a job and do it well.
 
Kenzo said:
That’s an intersting point, I’d would of agreed with that in the past and of course it does make perfrect common sense but I do think a horse’s personality and attitude can take a whole 360 turn and totally change, some horses that have 'known attitudes' can actually be very straight forward to train and break so I don’t think you can use that as a rule of thumb in all cases. :)

But looking at the both the dam and sire’s competition record also gives a hell of a lot away, anything that has a long succesful competition record with very few injuries… 9 times out of ten shows you are breding for movement which comes with a good confo and of course as stated above, a tempretment to do a job and do it well.
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Yeah I do agree as i have known many a youngster to go through 'the terrible 2's' and sometimes 3s but if you can team up a good nature and as your next point a well bred youngster you can already start counting the rosettes and smiles you will have!
 
I am a complete expert with youngsters so please do not feel intimidated by my knowledge...:p:p

When I went to view my youngster, I got as far as checking he had 2 ears, four legs and then as he gave me the most beautiful snuggle and kisses he was sold, with everything else thrown out of the window !!

He is now 4 and still gives the best snuggles and kisses ...

So if anyone wants any "expert" advise please let me know...

:D:D:D
 
I'm off to see 2 two year old thoroughbreds and a paint x on Sunday.

I'm more interested in the filly (TB) from the photos I have. Sire Mutazayid out of a TB mare. Looks like shes got good confo from the photos.

What questions should I ask and what should I ask for the owner to do with her?
 
loverly said:
I'm off to see 2 two year old thoroughbreds and a paint x on Sunday.

I'm more interested in the filly (TB) from the photos I have. Sire Mutazayid out of a TB mare. Looks like shes got good confo from the photos.

What questions should I ask and what should I ask for the owner to do with her?
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Where are you off to see the Paint? I wonder if I know it!!

As for what you want to owner to do with it.... All depends what the owner has done with it. I'd expect to be able to pick it's feet up to have a look, be able to open it's mouth, see it led up certainly in walk and hopefully in trot. You should be able to run your hands all over it. I always take photo's head on and from behind (stood square) as well as side on conformation shots as when you get home you can study it a little more.
 
loverly said:
I'm off to see 2 two year old thoroughbreds and a paint x on Sunday.

I'm more interested in the filly (TB) from the photos I have. Sire Mutazayid out of a TB mare. Looks like shes got good confo from the photos.

What questions should I ask and what should I ask for the owner to do with her?
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Well as you can see from my previous thread, I am useless :) but I personally would ask few basics if for example it was advertised as well handled, to see it caught, walked in hand, feet etc just to judge its tempermant & where it is up to in its manners etc - perhaps see it in a stable... (my friend bought a 3 yr old which had never been in a stable before, slightly freaked out)

Sorry if not much help :)
 
loverly said:
Sunday.

I'm more interested in the filly (TB) from the photos I have. Sire Mutazayid out of a TB mare.
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That sounds potentially nice. He's a lovely stamp of TB.

When I went to see Nits her owner caught her, ran her up for me and I gave her a poke and that was my whole viewing. She was sold out of the field and hadn't really been handled much for months though. If the one your viewing is in regular human contact I'd want it run up and I'd want to see it pick its feet up.
 
Thanks everyone - I'm now starting to feel a bit more happy with seeing a 2 year old. I purchsed my current horse at 3 years (just about to turn 4) but I was very lucky that the stud was based at a college so had been handled, poked and prodded all his life!

Aces_High - it's private, but will see if I can find out the sire as the mare went away to stud.

Does anyone know of Mutazayid or what his offspring turn out like? (I know there already is a thread about this stallion but it is quite old now)
 
You'll have to let me know - bit of a paint boff! I am always interested to see if there are anymore by the sire of the moo cow looking thing in sig. I purchased her as a weanling (from your neck of the woods) and she was 3 this year. She is also Paint x TB. I must admit her attitude to her work is amazing. She is very much like a TB in all of her ways but she is like a German Shepherd (strange analogy I know!) in that she is so loyal and by God does she try.
 
If you want to look at a few more by Mutazayid, we have a 6yr old, a 2yr old and a yearling here by him that's for sale. We are in North Devon too.
 
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