What do you do/expect from 2 year olds.

[wills]

As title says really. What kind of things do you do with our 2 year olds and what would you "expect" a 2 year old to be happy/confident doing? Duncy is my first from foal pony (mini shettie) dont want to be doing to much as he is still a bubba but want to keep his brain working as well as he is a wee monkey.

[antares]

my boy will be classed as a 3 year old next week although he's not actually 3 until May so I will be upping his training later in the year.

All I've expected from him so far is pretty basic stuff. He leads well, I can touch and brush him all over, he has worn a rug, boots, lunging equipment and roller, will pick his feet up (although still not 100% with farrier, that's a constant battle) & I do some basic groundwork with him - turn on the haunches and turn on the forehand and that's about it.

I know some people will take them out showing at 2 but I decided to wait until he was bitted as a just in case but that won't be until some time this year. This year he will start to learn long reining and increase the amount of groundwork exercises we do

[wills]

Thanks. He wont be 2 until April 26th so just planning ahead to make a game plan. I can touch and brush all over and he has his rugs on and off no bother. Hes back feet are a work in progress tho and he can be ehhm intresting to leadso thats two things i defo want to get sorted.

[specialsparkle3]

From a 2 year old I expect good manners in the stable and field. That he should trot in hand and not lean in on me ( but NEVER EVER to lunge ---------even at 3 ) That he should tie up and stand to be groomed, for the vet and the farrier, be wormed, try a rug on etc etc Preferably that he should load into a trailer or lorry quietly and that I could take him to the odd show should I wish, and expect him to behave in hand.

Apart from that, I expect him to be a baby and have fun in the field. Oh and I never take 2 year olds walks on the road where there is traffic and not even when they are 3 unless accompanied by an older totally traffic proof horse. A fright at that age can live with them all their lives

[pd]

As SS3 says, (but I have lunged mine lightly ) She's now 2 and a half and going out twice a week ride and lead from a sensible horse (mainly because I have limited turn out and she needs some exercise/entertainment) and she's really enjoying going out and is dealing well with all she encounters.

Just treat them like little horses, expect all the manners to be as they should be for life, but take care of their delicate bodies.

[KimT]

Lady is 2 in May. I expect her to be able to be touched all over, lead very well. Pick feet up, etc.

I will be bitting her in the new year because I want to take her to a few shows. I'm not over fussed about shows but I would rather take her now whilst she is absorbing things like a sponge as opposed to later on. I will be bitting her in the new year for the shows but won't be doing much. In the summer I plan to begin longlining her but not lunging. I won't start that until she is 4yrs old. As far as long lining goes, I will mostly be doing straight lines and going around cones to teach her how to turn.

[jen1]

i wouldnt expect any more than id put in, i got mine used to having ropes round there legs for the future you know the natural horsemanship stuff scaled down loads, good manners and leading well , i used to show mine traffic as mine will be hacking out on busy main rds, what is the 2 year old intended for , i also taught mine circle work in hand , simple to get them to walk around me, did it a few times and its payed off loads in the last 6 weeks with tom, bitting might be an idea , but at the end of the day its what the youngster is ready for just let it flow naturally instead of a mission,

[esther]

General handling being established such as:

- Feet being handled without issue
- Being touched all over without issue
- Being brushed
- Being caught
- Respecting the human's personal space
- Happy being rugged and un-rugged (even if they don't need to wear one), even on a windy day, and happy with rug straps flapping around
- Being able to stand, walk, trot, back, and move over in hand
- Wear a bit
- Load, unload and travel nicely in a trailer and a wagon
- Have seen traffic in a safe environment (ie turned out next to traffic, or met general farm traffic, etc) but I wouldn't attempt busy roads in hand at this stage.
- Maybe a show or two for life experience

Most of all they need to learn how to be horses, so I don't tend to mess with them too much other than the odd 5-10 mins here and there to install the above.

[BJMM]

As all the above. Jas was my first foal and was born from a rescue mare on Christmas day 2006. So, technically, at a week old she was classed as a yearling ;D
I think it is also dependent on the temperament of the youngster. Jas, despite being TB, is very outgoing and independent, but also incredibly laid back. She had loads of 'horse time' with her foster mum (she was orphaned at 12 weeks) but also was very people focussed without being 'bratty', so I did quite a bit with her on the ground and she was the world's easiest horse to start!
Now 5, she is proving to be a super versatile girl, although she does have the odd TB moment.
;D ;D

[wills]

Thanks guys ;D

Jen1 he will hopefully be a lead rein pony for my baby when they r both old enough and it is also a dream to learn how to drive - although wether we ever get round to that or not is a diffrent story . However should i ever need to sell him i want him to have all the manners and basics in place to enable him to do many things.

I might take him to a few locals this year,but dont intend on bitting him. As for traffic one side of the field runs along the village road so he sees allsorts.

Hes stabled at night, so gets his rugs changed daily and feet picked out, occasionaly i take him for a wee wander 5-10 mins or so (no roads).

After reading the above i think im heading the right way, was just concerned that i wasnt doing enough with him. He certainly gets plenty of time to be a baby.
From reading all your comments