Sorry, should have headed this with "touchy horse" instead of Willowbank.

Hi Willow. I think you just have 2 mostly untouched youngsters. If I were you I'd get a black dually & 2 long lines (30 ft). Do Join up as a matter of urgency. Both you & the youngsters will get better at it as time goes on. Remember, we all have to start somewhere. Be aware that these guys just don't know what to make of you. I'm presuming they were transported to you & that could have been really ok or very much not so, depending on ............!? Take plenty of time. Study the Uni - I'm assuming your lack of accreditations is because you're new to it. If not, go back & take Montys Challenges. I like to keep training sessions really short for babies & tend to stop at the 1st or 2nd positive reaction. My 2 year old colt & 50 week old filly, both home bred, seek me out especially when I bring something new to the field. We NEVER do work - we ALWAYS play, even when it's a bit scary. Works for us. Have fun with your youngsters but most importantly, make sure they have fun. You'll be shocked how fast they learn. Keep posting & we'll help as much as we can. Cheers, Jo.

Many thanks Jo. I have not been around horses for nearly 20 years and even longer when it comes to youngsters. I am more that a little rusty but I have been working the the Uni and it is so helpful. I never had much in the way of training, most of what I did was self taught. Going through the lessons has shown me that I did some things the way Monty does even though I didn't really understand. On the other hand though, I certainly did a lot of things badly. I am waiting for halters to arrive and after nearly being barreled by the colt this morning I think it will be wise to wait till they arrive before starting any form of training. Many thanks again. Cheers, Julie.

Hi Julie. I'd like to share a repeated experience with you, just to emphasise how effective Equus is. Bella was a Welsh B. Humphrey is a Gypsy Vanner, entire until April 2014. From these 2 I now have Kirk, 2 years old & Holy Moley who will become a yearling filly on 12/5/15. Yes, they are not thoroughbreds but they are hardy, strong, intelligent & have inherited much of Bella's beautiful physique as well as both parents savvy natures. Sadly, we lost Bella last November to a fractured knee which she had endured, under great veterinary care, since the previous January. She was all heart hence the filly's name - Bella's little miracle ( & mine ). I had Bella from 6 months old & Humphrey from a 2 year old. One day Bella was unwell. Humphrey walked up to me & gently tapped my leg with a foot. He's not tall but very powerful & this was such a gentle act it was clearly a request for help for " the wife ". He's never done that before or since. Needless to say my reaction was to rub his neck in reassurance & go & sort out Bella. Kirk, when about 3 months old, got playful whilst I was handling his feet & tapped me on the jaw. I never uttered a sound. I simply stood up to my full just under 5 ft, moved to his rear end & with my hip moved his feet, repeatedly. On the 4th or 5th ' bump ' he looked at me as if to say "You're really not pleased with me, are you" & since then has never even threatend to raise a foot to me. Holy Moley went through the same thing. She was playing & cantered past me, giving me a dab on the leg as she went by. It didn't hurt or even result in a bruise but I followed her & used the same ' bump to move feet ' method in total silence. I got that same look on the 4th or 5th ' bump ' & to date she has not raised a foot to even threaten let alone touched me. It's when the realisation hits you that EVERYTHING you do is communication that the power of Equus becomes clear. Yes, the Dually is a magic bit of kit but learning to make the most of your body language is the key. Once you get that conversation going it's a fantastic way of life. The certainty that there is a solution - which you need to find & use to meet the horses needs. If my little herd is anything to go by, horses & ponies throw themselves wholeheartedly in with you on this & are happy, willing & able to meet you halfway. Keep posting - thoroughbreds are not always as grounded as the native types but they have their attributes. Untouched is a much better starting point than mucked up so slow & progressive are your watchwords. Cheers, Jo.

Hi Julie - I have nothing useful to add to JO's comments other than to say Good luck, take your time, stay calm, stay safe, and enjoy!