What should a rising two year old know?

[tonyhopkins]

What should a rising two year old TBx filly be doing? Obviously I want her to be a baby as long as possible, 'tis no use sending a baby to university before kindergarten but she is a very cheeky, inquisitive tart with no idea of respect and personal space.
I am thinking just the basics.
> Leading properly, tying and possibly groundtying
>Picking up feet properly and standing still while being trimmed.
> Getting her used to scary things such as dogs
>Floating properly (big one)
and
> Basic respect ie. not barging into personal space etc.
Am I on the right track? I am thinking 30 minutes weekly, in 7-10 minutes sessions, she is quite smart and has not had the best start in life (ear screwed first time she was haltered).

[shandy84]

It depends on the horse:

My NF two year old is:
Halter broken
Picks up her feet
Allows a rug to be put on
Catch most of the time
And is learning to lead

My PBA filly at two:
Halter broken
Picks up her feet
Allows a rug to be put on
Catch
Leads
Walks out on the roads
Introduced to basic lunging (very light only about 5 mins at most)
Ties up


Be caeful in respect to the ground tying as that is harder for them than you would think. Shandy has got it now that she has reached three and is an angel with it, at two there wasn't much she couldn't do except be ridden whereas Bramble is slower to mature and so has not got as many things under her belt

Best to go at their pace otherwise you could overface them

[tonyhopkins]

overfacing her is definitely something I don't want to do - but as she is quite smart I think she could cope with groundtying (a couple of minutes at a time) It is mainly a safety thing, I don't want to have to drag her along to do something in the event I can't tie her up.

[shandy84]

I still wouldn't suggest the groundtying as it is asking a hell of a lot on the manners side also if they realise they are free they can learn to run off instead of tying, you are best to concentrate on other manners first my girl was/is very clever and still has only just got the groundtying idea

[tonyhopkins]

makes sense, will probably leave that until she is rising 4.