Youngsters

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MyLuckyStar

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Just wondering how far you walk your youngsters out?

I have a rising 2 year old, shes been led out on main roads, fields, country lanes etc and I've took her out alone, in company and off another horse, she's also had the other horses go off and leave her in walk trot and canter which she is fine with. She is practically bombproof with most things but I'd like to push her a little bit further (not too much).

The main thing I'd like to get her used to is water - well streams etc. She has been through puddles and doesn't bat an eyelid but she's never been through a proper stream although there is one on a local hacking route which we could go to.

However, I was just wondering who far would you walk your youngsters out? It wouldn't be every day or even regularly - just once a month at the most (for the longer walks)
 
As far as you can.
Physically, If you can cope with it a two year old certainly can. Providing they are happy and relaxed mentally and you are walking it can only be good.
Leading from another horse is maybe a different matter, but I think you will be tired before the youngster.
How lovely to hear someone putting the work in with a youngster. She will be a joy to back and ride on. Well done.
 
Thomas goes out once or twice a week for between 30mins to an hour, led in hand, either just me-and-him or with someone accompanying us on horseback. He's 3 now (Feb 2013) and done this since he was 10 months old.
 
I take my 3 year old on my shorter hacking routes in hand, about an hour round trip, we always go solo as that's how it will have to be once ridden work begins. He's also been easy, straight over the wooden bridges - I'm lucky mine drink from the stream at the bottom of their field so water isn't an issue.
 
As far as you are up for going I say! I wouldn't drag a youngster on long routes if they were still nervous, that would be little and often (I have a little pony youngster who is at that stage so short quiet village trips with big horse) but once you have got to that happy stage then why not go and have a play in a stream since you have one near, I should think she'll enjoy it!
 
My first youngester I led out in hand with a friend on horseback - used to go out on a normal hacking route, so around an hour. He got left behind, went off in front, went on roads and country lanes, saw cows, sheep, dogs, was socialised with passer-bys and made to stand whilst they said hello. Funny thing, he's an ex-racehorse so was actually broken and riding, I just chose not to until about 8mths of having him and put in some groundwork.

Got another - ex-racehorse - had her from 2.5yrs and I ride her. She's so much more prepared mentally than he was although we only go on an short ride with mostly walk and a bit of canter. We have brakes and go, but steering is a little off but no point going in the school as that to me (I know dressage horses do it but it still doesnt sit right!) is just too much for a baby.
 
Thanks all

The hack to the stream is about a 2.6 mile trip each way so was worried its be a bit too far though there would be breaks in between

Shes extremely quiet for her age and doesn't bat an eyelid at anything. She isn't bitted as such though i have put a bridle on her, shea still lead out in a headcollar and i never have any problems
 
I don't think the distance itself would limit her, the attention span might though! My rising 2yo can manage about 40 minutes now MAXIMUM before he gets a bit irritable, he's like a toddler. Starts trying to play bite and then strops. I handle him daily but it's usually just general handling, feet, quick groom and maybe a 5 minute stroll to keep everything ticking over. Once or twice a week we'll go for a longer walk.

He was seeing traffic, rivers, etc, etc at 10 months though. Next spring he'll start wearing tack for his walks and I'll sit on him at the end of the summer but he won't be properly backed until he's 4. Might have him in harness at 3 though!

He wears either a "control" halter for short walks or bridle for longer/busier routes. I'm sure walking them on hard surfaces is beneficial for the feet too, his are like rock and hopefully it's giving them a good preparation for the future.
 
Nudibranch said:
I don't think the distance itself would limit her, the attention span might though! My rising 2yo can manage about 40 minutes now MAXIMUM before he gets a bit irritable, he's like a toddler. Starts trying to play bite and then strops. I handle him daily but it's usually just general handling, feet, quick groom and maybe a 5 minute stroll to keep everything ticking over. Once or twice a week we'll go for a longer walk.

He was seeing traffic, rivers, etc, etc at 10 months though. Next spring he'll start wearing tack for his walks and I'll sit on him at the end of the summer but he won't be properly backed until he's 4. Might have him in harness at 3 though!

Her feet are also rock solid which is a good thing to, she thinks nothing of walking over stones/rutty paths etc when some of the older horses don't like to

He wears either a "control" halter for short walks or bridle for longer/busier routes. I'm sure walking them on hard surfaces is beneficial for the feet too, his are like rock and hopefully it's giving them a good preparation for the future.
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Thanks. She seems to have a good attention span so far. She'll be out with other horses to so that may help, though she doesn't seem fussed whether she's on her own.


I'm hoping to get her broken to drive before she is broken to ride. She was a late baby being born in July so wasn't going to back her until she is 4
 
I take my youngster out on walks round the village and she was backed last summer just before her 4th birthday. She has been out on a couple of hacks in a group and also ridden but with someone on the ground to keep her confidence up. The longest hack we do is to our local ford which I would guess is probably about 3 miles although now I have a pedometer on my phone I will be able to clock it better :D
 
When I had my youngster we could go for miles, I would get tired much sooner than he would. I guess it's the same with any horse, if you've built up the work gradually so she's fit enough it will be fine. Mine would "work" and play all day, he never got bored, by the time I backed him at 3 he was completely bombproof and I literally got on him half way round one of our walks and rode back
 
There is a ford at the yard where I keep my lot, so they have to be able to go through water. I found that the best way to teach a youngster to go through it calmly was to put a long leadrope on the headcollar. It needs to be long enough so I can stand one side of the ford, with the horse the other side (with rope to spare) if need be. I then ask a helper to lead one of the other horses to give the youngster a lead through the ford. I don't make a fuss about it.

The first time walking through the ford, my gelding tried to jump it, so I was very glad of the long leadrope (and the fact that I was wearing gloves). We turned round and he trotted/scampered through it. That was enough for the first day, but over the next couple of weeks he got better and better and I was able to lead him through it ahead of his friend, then on his own (in a calm walk!).
 
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