What to do with 2 year old??

[CSYMolly]

My baby is 2 now, can't believe it, boy does time fly!
I did a bit of leading work in the summer, she ties up, good with her feet and I've laid a numnah and roller across her back. She moved to a field further away from me in the beginning of winter so I only get to see her about once a month but is there anythign I should be doing, get her used to a little bridle and bit perhaps? I'm not in any rush just want to make the process of backing as smooth and stress free as possible. Luckily so far she seems very well behaved, polite and brave. Lucky me, she is so unlike her older 'sister'!!

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

When working with youngsters, I just try and get them out to see as much as possible! Walking in hand, ride and lead etc, just getting them out so they can see lots of new things. I try and do some 'despooking' work, getting them used to things flapping, funny noises, sudden movements, traffic, littler, animals, traffic etc.
With those that cope well, I have introudced a saddle and bridle before, very slowly, and they have all barely batted an eyelid at it!

 

[luckilotti]

the 'plan' for my 2 youngsters who will be 2 in March and June is as follows:

The one who's 2 in march: he is a TB out of training so he has already been backed etc. After a spell of having a 'break' and being a youngster out in the field. I am going to long rein him quite a bit. I want to keen him bited and used to a saddle etc. His stable manners and leading etc is already fab so he needs no work with any of that.

The one who's 2 in June: well, shes had a life of being a youngster out playing! this summer the plan is to get her to a few shows ideally. she is the type that can be 'thrown out' and then recaught, still pick her hooves up etc. The only 'bit of work' we will be doing this year will be to lead 'better' - in the respect she can go in a show ring and not disgrace anyone!

i find having tack 'around' when they are in can help - ie. an old saddle off ebay or an auction that you can put in the stable with them so they can sniff it etc at their own leisure etc can help the process.

 

[Theresa_F]

Stinky from 18 months needed to a little something every other day or he was a downright bored pest.

He was bitted, had a saddle on him - I just put it on and did up the girth and off he went, but he has never been the sort to put up a fuss.

He wore rugs, we went to shows. He had clippers run over his body and the winter of his second year, he was clipped out ready for showing as a three year old. He also was good to bath, trim, lead and all basic groundwork manners installed.

He was long reined at rising 2, and also taken out for "hacks" led off Cairo - starting out with 10 minute walk and building up.

Sat on at 2 1/2 - physio, vet and instructor were happy with this and did 5 mins walk every week with me doing daft things like waving arms, legs, doing up girth stirrup, leg mounts, wall mounts - nothing that physical but all getting him ready for life. Back to ground work after 8 weeks until rising 3.

Then at 3, got back on - he was as if he had no break, but that is just him. We did 5 mins twice a week in the school - started a bit of trotting and started little hacks by ourselves.

At 3 1/2 we did a few strides of canter and then he teethed and had another grow spurt so again back to ground work for another 3 months.

At 4, started a few tiny local shows and at 4 1/2 we did our first affiliated class (showing). This year at 5 we started jumping.

I started early but have done everything very slowly and with him this has worked a treat as he has never been rushed or stressed or needed time to recover from things.

Each horse is different, so you need to adjust, how much and what you do and don't rush and stress them.

 

[Daisy11]

im the same as luckilotti
part from the end of last year i introduced bridle, boots, roller .and nummah and throw winter ive just let him be a baby this year i plan to get him out and practice our leading abit more aswell as trot he gets a bit over excited bless