[highstakesasset]

My daughter has decided to try her hand at training a two year old so we purchased a two year old APHA at the end of August. She's been riding him for about 7 weeks and this is the video of her and him. She hopes to ride him in some walk/trot english classes next year. Here's a video of her on him. Any suggestions and/or critiques on what she's doing?? Thanks a bunch!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/lscharen.../1/YmAj1f436Bw

[Showrider]

Try posting this in the critique section, I'd say you'll get a whole lot more replies

To me he looks wonderful for 7 weeks of riding Very calm and attentive, thumbs up!

I believe you're on the right track, if he's working beautifully like that at home all the time I think the next step would be to give him new experiences, take him to some shows for a walk around so he is eased into the excitement of going out. You don't want to take him out to his first class and him be insanely excited and ruin both you and your daughters day. Maybe take him to a few other places where your daughter can just have a fun ride on him so he gets used to behaving everywhere.

He looks beautiful and beautifully behaved

[JBandRio]

Nice for 7 weeks

Your dtr needs to work on keeping her leg under her - there are times when she's in a chair seat, leg in front of her.

When asking him to move his haunches, while he's doing it politely and quietly, the focus *really* needs to be on that inside hind leg stepping up in front of the outside. Right now, with a few exceptions when he's moving it to the left, he's just stepping the leg to meet the other one, then swinging the outside hind out. The difference may seem trivial, but it's really, really important that the inside hind move in front of and across the outside hind. That creates engagement and power.

What discipline is he aimed at? If it's HUS, that's one thing, but if it's USEF classes, he needs to work on more forward. It's GREAT that he's quiet. Just make sure the goal of crisp, immediate, energetic transitions is aimed for. Don't get me wrong, you can't get there in 7 weeks, necessarily, but it should be a goal pretty quickly so that it becomes a part of regular life, not just something he's asked to do every now and then. I hope that came out right

He looks lovely

[highstakesasset]

Thanks for the input!! I shared it with my daughter and she totally agreed with the comments, especially after watching the video too. She'll be riding him the in the HUS classes next year. We live in Wisconsin so the show season is pretty much over with for the year . We do have some friends come over once in a while so he's been ridden with some new & different horses. So far - no issues there. My daughter also hand walks him on 2-3 mile walks which includes through a small village for a little more exposure. I'd like to buy a training video to help her in training him. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good one?

[GottaRide]

Your daughter is doing a great job with him so far.

I would suggest doing some canter work at this time as well. I've started horses where we didn't do any canter work until the w/t was down pat, and I've also started horses where we work on the canter right away. I personally think the horses that have been started with canter work right away train easier all the way through their training from start to finish. Just something to consider.

Where are you in WI? Maybe I'll be seeing you at some of the shows next year!!

[IIIBarsV]

My only suggestion is to make sure his diet is 100% fulfilled for a growing horse- especially in minerals and vitamins, to support joint growth.

Training wise.... looks like she's got a good handle on things.

[highstakesasset]

Gottaride: We live between Manitowoc and Sheboygan. We usually make it to some of the Manitowoc, Plymouth, Fond du Lac & Oostburg shows. Depending on how things go next summer - we may travel a little further. How far do you travel for shows?

From reading a number of the posts on this board - a lot of people don't think you should be cantering a two year old which is the main reason she hasn't. What age do you normally start cantering your horses?

[GottaRide]

Originally Posted by highstakesasset

Gottaride: We live between Manitowoc and Sheboygan. We usually make it to some of the Manitowoc, Plymouth, Fond du Lac & Oostburg shows. Depending on how things go next summer - we may travel a little further. How far do you travel for shows?

From reading a number of the posts on this board - a lot of people don't think you should be cantering a two year old which is the main reason she hasn't. What age do you normally start cantering your horses?

I show at some of the Green Bay open shows. We get over to Manitowoc for the Paint show. I was down in Fond du lac last spring but the show was a wash out so I didn't show in many classes. It's a very nice group of folks down there so I will try to make it back if it fits into my schedule. I normally show the WI Paint shows down in the southern part of the state.

I'm going to guess that your horse is 2 1/2 yrs. by this time of year?? I have one the same age. Here's my progression on his training:

Kirby

I don't think a couple times around the arena in each direction at the canter each time you ride is going to hurt the horse. I really think it does a lot to help their minds, and it will help build their strength & balance faster. If you wait to canter, the horse usually has a much harder time transitioning to canter work. You can ride a horse into the ground at a walk & trot just as easily as if you were to include cantering. With the 2 yr olds I still take it easy on them, but they know that under saddle work means they have to perform at all three gaits.

[leoparddraft]

I don't agree with starting a two year old... however, I think your daughter is doing an INCREDIBLE job. Keep up the great work!