What shall I do with my 2yr old?

SNORKEY

SNORKEY

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Hi, my cob turned two in may, he's learnt to lunge with just a head collar on and hubby walking by his side. If I lunge him a couple of times in a row he starts to get the hang of it and can do it by himself, but if he's left for a week or do he forgets quickly.
I'm due to have a baby In November so I know he won't get anything done with him for a couple of months.
I don't want to end up with a bolshey cob, shall I start to do a bit more now like bitting or long reining or just leave him til he's nearly 3?
Thanks :)
 
I wouldn't lunge a 2yr old but that's just me. Bit him by all means but lead him off the noseband and do groundwork. Move his shoulders and quarters around you, over poles, in hand hacks. Work on general handling, tieing up, hosing, trailer work (if you can!) He's only young so don't be in too much of a rush!
 
I have bitted my 2 yr old and taken him out in the trailer a few times and to his first show. I lead him about my paddocks and make him back up by voice and move away from my hand.
I have also taken him into the round pen and free lunged him for a few minutes a couple of times. He is really nosey and he follows me when I take my WB to the roundpen, hence letting him have a little go. I intend to just keep up with a little in hand work over the winter to keep him interested and respectful as he can be too friendly and pushy as with many 2 yr olds.
 
Thanks, my lad is very friendly and in your face a lot, I taught him to step back and respect my space as soon as I got him. He's such a sweetey and it's been 8 yrs since I had a youngster to train so just wanted to make sure I'm not doing too little or too much. I also take him out on walks to get him out of the yard seeing things which he loves.
 
SNORKEY said:
Thanks, my lad is very friendly and in your face a lot, I taught him to step back and respect my space as soon as I got him. He's such a sweetey and it's been 8 yrs since I had a youngster to train so just wanted to make sure I'm not doing too little or too much. I also take him out on walks to get him out of the yard seeing things which he loves.
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Similar situation - it has been more years than I care to remember since I last had a youngster. I have the added complication that my WB was very aggressive and you could not be assertive around him. That has changed but I have to concerntrate to be confident and take charge around my licky youngster who wants to be inches from me at all times :) I want the friendly bit but with a little breathing space and respect for my body and feet :)
 
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