What would you recommend to be doing with a 2 and a half year old?

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QueenDee_

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What would you recommend me to be doing with my 2 and a half year old?

He's a bright, intelligent boy who picks things up quickly and enjoys having things done with him, though so far I've only really done basics, leading, tying up, grooming those sorts of things.

Really i'd like to start doing a bit more with him, as hes a bright lad who likes to be doing something, I was thinking of introducing him the bit & bridle, perhaps having a saddle on him, then progressing to long-reining him (with a roller not a saddle) and was wondering what people would recommend this?

Or alternatively what you would do?

Thanks in advance!:D
 
I don't think there's any harm in introducing some of the "tools" to a rising 3 year old, putting on tack will certainly do no harm and will make the breaking process easier as he will be familiar with all the bits and pieces when the time comes to start proper training. I have always done a little bit with my 2 1/2 year olds and always plan to start them at 3 unless they are very babyish or weak.
 
Ditto, get him used to tack, walking over stuff, out in traffic, etc. Lean over him, get him used to the idea of weight on him, rugs, girth done up, being handled from both sides, etc really. Just play around with him in whatever way you want, won't do any harm. 2 1/2 is a more useful age to start things being introduced before backing :)
 
My boy is the same age. :)

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He was recently bitted and he loves going for in-hand walks down the lanes and bridleways. He has also done walking through water training as he will need to walk through fords once ridden. I will do some more work in the school with him too. Eg, walk him over trotting poles, walk through jump wings (no jump though, just a pole on the ground) and get him to weave around cones. He's quite good at stopping, walking on and trotting on when asked, but he gets distracted quite easily, so more practice is needed.
 
yep, think i'll go ahead with introducing tack etc then :) would most people recommend buying a cheap light-weight synthetic saddle to start off with just getting them used to having it on their backs etc?

Also re spook busting sessions, as I don't have an arena i've not really done much as there always seem to be a lot of distractions if doing them in a field (eg other horses noseying over the hedge!) what sort things would you recommend doing/ starting with?:D
 
He was walking nicely the other day, when a jogger came running up from behind. He was pretty good considering that this was the first jogger that we've come across, but up went the tail and I'm pretty sure that his brain fell out! :p

The grey was, as usual, embarrassed by his behaviour and did her best 'I'm not with him' face. I got the gelding to pull over nicely into a gateway to let the jogger past, but his stand function was broken so he offered a passable piaffe instead.

The jogger went past and the gelding's brain seemed to be connected again, 'oh you wanted halt... here you go' and he stood beautifully.
 
Elena said:
yep, think i'll go ahead with introducing tack etc then :) would most people recommend buying a cheap light-weight synthetic saddle to start off with just getting them used to having it on their backs etc?

Also re spook busting sessions, as I don't have an arena i've not really done much as there always seem to be a lot of distractions if doing them in a field (eg other horses noseying over the hedge!) what sort things would you recommend doing/ starting with?:D
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A lungeing roller and numnah will be fine, but then I back bareback if they are quiet. I think you can use a decent saddle if it fits, he is not going to roll in it.
He could learn long reining and go for walks where there are distractions, teach him vocal commands, don't mumble and chatter, let him wait for your next command.
 
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Faracat said:
He was walking nicely the other day, when a jogger came running up from behind. He was pretty good considering that this was the first jogger that we've come across, but up went the tail and I'm pretty sure that his brain fell out! :p

The grey was, as usual, embarrassed by his behaviour and did her best 'I'm not with him' face. I got the gelding to pull over nicely into a gateway to let the jogger past, but his stand function was broken so he offered a passable piaffe instead.

The jogger went past and the gelding's brain seemed to be connected again, 'oh you wanted halt... here you go' and he stood beautifully.
Click to expand...

sounds exactly like something mine would do:D:D
 
Miss L Toe said:
A lungeing roller and numnah will be fine, but then I back bareback if they are quiet. I think you can use a decent saddle if it fits, he is not going to roll in it.
He could learn long reining and go for walks where there are distractions, teach him vocal commands, don't mumble and chatter, let him wait for your next command.
Click to expand...

hmm as I haven't got one that fits I think it may be a better idea to just go with a roller and numnah (in the interest of not adding expenses and all that!:o)

How would you recommend progressing to long-reining? I'd like to get him out and about, in an ideal place for it with quiet lanes and little traffic etc then can progress to areas where there are more things to see. As I haven't long reined in a while I was planning on having a couple of lessons to get back into it but I wouldn't be wanting to do anything fancy, just safely long-reining so he can 'see the world' sort thing before progressing on to more educational things probably spring time..
 
Keep up the groound work

Walks out - I usually put the lunge cavesson on for this as you have a bit more control

No need for a saddle yet but a roller and folded numnah works well, suggest that you use a breast girth as well - just a simple one that clips to the front D's of the roller, doesn't need to go between the front legs, just used to prevent the roller sliding back and turning your horse into abucking bronco.

Stick with a mullen mouth snaffle. I like to have wolf teeth removed prior to bitting, means that they never learn to feel uncomfortable. the mullen mouth I find means that you can kindly lead from the bit, a jointed can turn nasty when handled from the ground.

Walking over things, through puddles, and just different surfaces. Always had a fun time getting my foals out of their paddock the first few times as they came off grass onto gravel! Gravel is veeeery scaaarey!

It's fun having a youngster - keeps you really fit when you take them for walks.
 
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