What would you do with a 2 year old?

[Belbe]

don't we need to define flooding before discussing it? I'm getting the idea that some people think of flooding as the  desensitisation techniche where, for example, you place a horse that's scared of cows living on a field adjacent to one with cows. Other people think flooding is introducing too many experiences at once. I don't agree with the first, I agree with the latter so long as the horse seems unperturbed by it.

[TashaKat]

I thought that flooding in behavioural terms was an extreme form of habituation where the horse is forced to be exposed to something that he is scared of for a significant amount of time. The theory being that they will realise that what they're scared of isn't going to hurt them and so they overcome their fear. Of course in reality this isn't necessarily the case and can often make things worse.

[Belbe]

I thought that flooding in behavioural terms was an extreme form of habituation where the horse is forced to be exposed to something that he is scared of for a significant amount of time. The theory being that they will realise that what they're scared of isn't going to hurt them and so they overcome their fear. Of course in reality this isn't necessarily the case and can often make things worse.

I like your description. It kindda explains the whole point of working with newborns or very young horses. At that age they usually don't fear anything, they just show suspicion mixed with curiosity. I used to complain about that paramount difference when discussing despoking lessons with my baby and my adult mare. The baby always looked at new things thinking: what is that? is it dangerous? wilst the adult mare looked at it thinking: OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, IT'S GONNA KILL ME! 
... and considering I think your description of floding must be torture to the poor things, I much preffer to show loads of stuff to someone who doesn't have any inbuilt fear in them.

[Torsornin]

hmmmm I have had 2 babies so far and Mae is having a 3rd for me - SO I guess I have a different idea

Do as much as possible with them while they are little and tractable 

Dont pound their little joints for hours on end - dont lunge until they are dead - but fuss with them a little every day

I started fussing with mine when they hit the ground - playing with their ears handling their feet - anything like that brushing and grooming when I brushed mama

Rose went on light trail rides when she was still following her mama - Wish I would have had the same opportunity with Dan - I will be doing this with Mae's baby - even eventually ponying her (if I can get the others to cooperate) Mind you mine are in the woods, on a gravel road and over varying terrain - I think it is good for them to get out and about

I started throwing a saddle pad on their backs before they shed out their foal coat (just for a second - tons of praise) and then here and there later on. I teach them to give in to pressure, to stand tied (we dont really fully "tie" until they are over 6 months - they dont have the capacity to retain that before 6 months)

I also spend a lot of time loving on them gently pulling their ears - getting them used to clippers - and hugging their heart girths - I do this to get them used to pressure from the time they are wee little - none of mine cared when I finally saddled them

I put saddles on them "sack them out" teach them that tarps and mail boxes are not monsters

I do teach mine to lunge around 2 years of age - just so they know in case they go lame and I need to lunge them to see their paces - or for the vet - I dont do it often or long - 5 minutes at a time - no cantering - just walk trot....

I bit them when the time seems right - and I start riding them when the time seems right

Rose I broke at 4 years of age - Dan I ended up breaking when he was 3 I think - I actually wanted to wait another year - but he REALLY needed a job. his rides were short - he never cantered until he was ummm 7? he was not as matured as I would have liked  - but he was being horrid and NEEDED a job.

at  2 I think a horse should be able to
---tie
---lead
---have all 4 feet handled, trimmed, and have "pretend shoes" "nailed on" (gently banging on a horse shoe placed against their foot - gets them used to the sound and feel  if they ever need to  be shod - I think it makes them nicer horses in the end - esp if one ends up selling (and you cant guarantee that you will NEVER sell them) I also think it makes their first shoeing a nicer experience for them too.
--- have cloths, bags, saddle pads etc placed on their backs, heads whatever and accept it - even think its funny (my Rose had a sense of humor)
--- possibly - if the time seems right accept a saddle and being led with it on
--- Heart girth hugs
--- being touched EVERYWHERE
--- LIGHTLY (emphasize LIGHTLY) lunge - as explained above to evaluate gait and check for unsoundness
--- Go over tarps, bridges, poles at walk and trot in hand
--- Take walks with a human - experience scary things and NOT run human over or jump in lap
--- take a bit if they seem ready (getting treats or grain once it is in - then take out)
--- go through puddles with out jumping or rushing through - streams would also be a plus!
--- give to halter pressure
--- Load in a trailer
--- lead, square up if possible
--- clip
--- not kill barking dogs - be afraid of cattle, goats, sheep whatever is near enough for me to lead them past



Personally I dont think you can "over handle" a youngster - I think you can over WORK a youngster or SPOIL a youngster - but other than things that give concussion or weight etc - I dont think you can over handle them - keep the sessions short and sweet -pay attention to their "brain muscle"

I introduce backing and more concussive work - when they LOOK ready - when they arent so awkward or gangly - and look more solid - like a horse instead of a youngster But I keep it light, varied and not repetitive or stressful on joints for quite a while