My 2year old pony is doing really well i got her going over trotting poles and over a small jump the other day.Iam training her for her first show in April i only work her a few times a week and only for a hour at a time i always handle her every day to keep her a nice pony.When i told my friend what i was doing with her she told me i was doing it all wrong and shouldn't be doing it the way i am and that i might turn my pony sour now im really worried as i don't want a sour pony this is my first youngster so im learning everyday but i thought i was doing the right thing by not pushing her to much and not doing the same thing everytime we do some exercise so she doesn't get bored and enjoys her work Please can you give me some advise as to if im doing it wrong and if i could do anything different with her to help her with her education
Thank you

To be honest if she is happy to learn new things on the ground then why not? As long as you aren't lunging in endless circles or jumping anything more than a low crosspole occasionally she should be fine. Makes things that little bit easier when it comes to backing if you have a good relationship on the ground. Enjoy her, and good luck at your show!

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My only concern would be to much jumping,concentrate on small amounts of lunging(no more than 10mins) and plenty of walks in differant suroundings.

Yep, it is important to get them used to different sights and sounds so if you can get a hold of road signs, tarpaulin, a friendly farmer with a tractor, someone on a push bike, a motorbike, loud noise on the radio etc.............these are all things you can do to educate your youngster, without the need to do anything that will be a strain on the young joints


Common predators..............big gobs and ugly as hell!

I do hope you aren't riding a 2 year old?


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Oh, I hadn't even considered that.............I can only assume she is handling and NOT riding!!


Common predators..............big gobs and ugly as hell!

I had not thought the pony was being ridden either. I have put a note for Tina on the chat forum to look at this one. Her advice would be good.

Pretty pony Nina, I can't remember if you've already introduced her to us - whats her breeding and posh name (us NF fanatics like to know these things )?

Its nice for youngsters to be well handledso they learn to mind their manners and as others have said it can help build a lovely bond of trust, ready for when the 'big scary questions' come later in life.

It is important to remember they are just babies though, and make sure they have a chance to just 'be' Space to grow and mature, both physically and mentally, are vital parts of a babys' development, especially when bones are soft, skeletal frames are still developing (not usually totally fixed until at least 6yrs, sometimes 8yrs).

Again to endorse what has already been said, lunging a 2yr old should really only be about teaching them the basics, literally just a few minutes (although I personally don't lunge anyhting under 3 and am not a fan generally of lunging). Have you tried long reining, which is really just an extension of lunging but with two reins? This is a gentler way of teaching the horse to move forward confidentally and obediently without the strain that small circles from lunging can put on immature bones.

Ones you and the pony have mastered the art - can be tricky at first and best taught with a helper at the ponys head until you are sure they understand - you can long rein out on walks along quiet farm tracks (or the open forest if you are lucky enough to have easy access). But again, keep it short and infrequent, maybe once or twice a fortnight once you've both mastered the technique?

Spook busting is also fun, and useful for when they begin ridden work) but you can avoid putting too much mental pressure on them by combining this with normal handling for feeding/grooming etc. Again short sessions and not too often.

Sounds like you are keen to get things right with your baby which is a major plus, too many want to rush babies which is sad - why rush them under saddle when you have their whole lives ahead of you. Bit like pushing a 13yr old kid to learn to drive, pass their A levels, get a job, run a home etc. Far better in the long term to let kids of all species enjoy their 'childhood' before expecting them to behave like responsible adults

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'Walkies' and groundwork are the very best way to build up your youngster's confidence in you, handling ability, responsiveness and all that. If you can, vary your walks over all kinds of terrain, so your youngster gets used to stepping over fallen logs, popping over little dinky ditches, wading through fords, etc. Anything you can jump on foot should be fine for your baby to follow you over!

The more 'experiences' (rather than 'work') they can acquire at this stage, the steadier they are later, and the more confidence they'll have in you.

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..Currently residing in the Lunius-Genacy Beta Quadrant. It's beta because it hasn't been fully de-bugged yet....
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First thing of course i am not riding her she is only 2years old!
Thank you for all the advise i want a good allrounder without pushing her she only does things if she wants to i never push her i dont lunge her as im not that keen on it and it makes me dizzy.I am learning to long rein and will soon be doing a bit of that,i dont want her to be unhappy in doing anything which is why im taking it slow as she will be with me forever and i dont want a unhappy pony.
Thank you for all your advise

i did introduce my self and my pony a long time ago!Her name is Fiddlers Bagpuss she is standing at 14h and is 2yrs!Her father is Moortown Nobby and mum Fiddlers Kitten

What a great name. She is lovely. All ponies are different, so long as you dont do anything to stress the mind or body and are both having fun she will be fine. I think educating a 2 year old should all be about manners and preparation. Good luck in the show. Let us know haow you get on. x

It sounds as though you are doing just fine,a very nice pony by the sounds of her breeding. Keep in touch.