things to do with a bored youngster?

ScoutsHonour

ScoutsHonour

New Member
Nov 28, 2012
30
0
0
Scout is 19 months old now and he has done a fair bit, he walks out every week on the roads and through fields, he's brilliant with traffic, other horses, people, farm machinery, other animals.

He's worn saddle pads, rollers, surcingles, exercise sheets, boots, bandages, fly masks, fly veils

He's played in the school with cones, road signs, flags, tarps. poles tyres

He's taking everything in so quickly I'm running out of new things to do with him :bounce:
 
remember he's only a little baby. at 19 months, I would just leave him be for the winter :) he already knows how to lead etc - BONUS :) he wont forget, i'm sure. if he can be out with his friends learning pony things, I'm sure he won't get bored :D
 
I know that's what he should do but he does get bored and miserable if left, he's out 90% of the time with his friends but they all come in during the day to eat as we don't have much grass.
He lives with a 2 year old, a 3 year old, a 4 year old and a 10 year old but none of them ever play, in fact the only thing they do together is lie down! He has stable toys that he plays with when he's in and when it comes to turning them out he makes it pretty clear he's rather stay in lol.

He is a funny one, he seems to have grown up way before his time (I'm not complaining, his behavior is impeccable lol ) I just wish he'd play with others to occupy himself rather than standing by the gate waiting to come in
 
Could you do it the other way round and keep them in at night and out during the day? Then he could do his sleeping inside (as could the others), and play during the day?

Are the others geldings? I have found geldings play far more than mares - in fact mine and his bezzie mate at 8 and 12 respectively play loads when turned out. They do rearing at each other, biting of faces ............. hmm, great fun!!!

There is only one other of their gang of 12 that plays, but his playing is a bit full on!

If he was out during the day you could get him a great big football for the field and other stuff?

Difficult one really because you are already doing lots with him and that should be enough - am sensing loads of riding when he is backed!!!

Ooh, if you have one that you ride, you could lead him out on hacks - that would tire him, and entertain him as well, and be really good for him.
 
We don't have them in at night because sometimes we struggle to get up early enough in the morning, hence why we bring in for a few hours, feed and turn out again.

I daren't put toys out in his field at the moment due to gale force winds lol, he is the only gelding, all the others are mares
 
I think therein lies your problem. Mares don't seem to play at all!

Have never had baby mares, only baby geldings and older geldings. My two baby geldings were pretty much born together and after being weaned came back to me together. They constantly played together - through babies, one year olds, two year olds, three year olds before they went to the racing yard to be broken.

Take him out when you ride on the lead rein - he sounds pretty bright and pretty bomb proof and will probably enjoy it.
 
I don't think they need to "play" herd dynamics are much more subtle and he is just a baby - I too would turn away until beginning of feb and restart again then with it all - give him time to process it all and have some space - you usually find the more they are handled as babies the bolshier they are when older - and other problems.

He isn't going to forget and I suspect it will make him keen to he going in a couple of months :) start again with everything and towards end of summer start Long reinin and then turn away over winter again and then back following year would be my personal plan :)
 
ok thank you :) So do I just do routine stuff with him and nothing else? Just the coming in to be fed, having feet picked, and farrier ? :)
 
I'd give him a break too and keep to just the basic handling. Now that you've worked on walking him out, despooking etc there's no harm in just leaving him be for a while. He won't "forget" that he's good with traffic etc! He sounds a lot like Mouse with the chilled out, taking everything in his stride sort of character. Generally I think when you have a youngster like that, once you've established the basics there's no need to "do" any more until they're ready to be broken in.

Incidentally what behaviour does he display that makes you think he is "bored"?
 
He just seems to look 'sad' it sounds stupid when I explain it, he is a funny one, although in all fairness I've only ever had mares before, I am always surprised at how different he is to them personality wise
 
Well, you know him better than anyone! - Just be careful not to apply human emotions to a horse's behaviour, it can be misleading! He has food, shelter, turnout and companionship so technically there is nothing else he really needs to make him content.
 
Take them to the pub-seriously. We have a lovely village pub with loads of animals and things for her to see, hear and smell.
Lots of social skills, like how to tie up and wait for me to get my drink.

Though just to add i have a 4year old that i am just pretty much doing routine things with. She does go out once a week and school once a week. Mostly over winter its groundwork, play, etc.

She also does play but when it suits. But her passion is eating. :)
 
Last edited:
newrider.com
Top Bottom