Bad manners in field

LaurenM

LaurenM

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 July 2009
Messages
1,839
Location
South Wales
Visit site
Argh - I've such a **** night.

My boy is generally hard to catch but I've got him sussed now (move mare into another field, close gate and call him over). However, he has started testing me when caught - he used to give in once attached to the lead rope but now tries to tank off. I eventually managed to get him out of the field after telling him off firmly when he tried to go, kept his head close to me and immediately calmed him down by stroking him and talking to him.

Normally when I catch him he won't want to move so I talk to him gently and if that doesn't work stand by his shoulder and tap his bum with the end of the lead rope. If neither of those work I back off and show him that there is space to walk on and click which normally works.

I've only had him 3 months but just feel that it's one test after another! Does it ever get easier? Any tips?
 
Use a control headcollar or a bridle with a strong bit such as a pelham. Daisy used to tank off and its needs to be nipped in the bud before it gets out of hand.
 
Because he has a normal one left one because he's hard to catch and the pressure halter doesn't fit over the top of the headcollar...if that makes sense!
 
Can you wrap the rope around his nose to stop the tanking off? We do this with my sisters horse who is very bolshy (we've had him 15 years though!).:rolleyes:

Just wrap it over the nose below the headcollar and put it through again so you can pull on it. You don't need to be mean, but he will respect that a lot more.

As for the not moving, mine does this by faking he needs a wee :rolleyes: I wouldn't take anything from him then, he needs to learn that when you go, he goes, and when you stop, he stops. Can you do some work in hand with him in the school, with a good instructor if need be :)
 
What does he do if you lasoo his neck with the lead rope? Daisy was a complete cow to catch in summer but always gave in once you had thrown the leadrope over her neck. I used to hold her loosely with the rope around her neck while I put the control headcollar on. The other trick was to always offer a handful of long juicy grass as i slipped the headcollar over her nose.
 
Mine sometimes likes to dance around waving feet at you when you bring him in. I now use a Shires control head collar for everyday use but also have an Eskadron head collar with built in chain for worst case scenarios.

I know a lot of people say bridles or chifneys but my worry is that if the do get away from you and charge off there's a chance they could stand on the rope which is then attached to their mouths - ouch!!!!
 
LMuirEDT said:
Mine sometimes likes to dance around waving feet at you when you bring him in. I now use a Shires control head collar for everyday use but also have an Eskadron head collar with built in chain for worst case scenarios.
Click to expand...

We have one of those eskadron headcollars for my sisters horse, although he is wise to it and will sometimes swiftly reverse himself and his nose from the headcollar to avoid the chain, after he has taken his treat from you :rolleyes:

Trick is to move backwards just as quick :D
 
Stencilface said:
We have one of those eskadron headcollars for my sisters horse, although he is wise to it and will sometimes swiftly reverse himself and his nose from the headcollar to avoid the chain, after he has taken his treat from you :rolleyes:

Trick is to move backwards just as quick :D
Click to expand...

Hmmmm... clever pony!!!! I find the metal safety rings you clip onto come open quite easily, do u have this problem?
 
I've done the leadrope round his nose thing but he's even worse then. He's not motivated by food, me fussing another horse..nothing! He's only interested in hanging out with the mares and runs between them when I try catching him.

My friend's coming up tomorrow to help out. I am getting someone to school him hopefully at the weekend so that I know what he is capable of without my nerves getting in the way! I only get nervous when I ride him in our riding paddock as he can be really bolshy in there and I fell off. I've been building my confidence though by going in there with others and lungeing him on his own.

I lunged him two nights before and he was 110% so the only reason I can think of for his bad manners is that he's testing me and that he just wants to hang with his friends. He's not winning though. It just frustrates me though as there's a fun ride on the bank holiday and i don't want to be worrying about how long it takes to catch him but know that it's not a great idea to keep him in on his own as the stables are 15 mins walk from the horses field so he'll have no company.
 
I have to use a chiffney ALL the time with our grumpy old boy - last year he dragged me off across a ploughed field, and trampled on me just because he felt like it. However, he's very respectful of the chiffney, and I know he wont try anything on when he's wearing it.
There is a danger that if your horse takes off while wearing it he could tread on the rope, I have heard stories of horses jaws being broken in this way.
Another option is a dually - it applies pressure to the nose when the horse is pulling against you, and releases as soon as they yield to you - had some affect on grumpy knickers, but we stick with a chiffney as we know it works for him.
Good luck, I know how you feel!
 
My cob could be like this when I first got him. He was a bugger to catch, would let you get so so close but the second you went to get him, he'd be off. Luckily, food is his life, so this was a good way to get close to him, but he'd still be sneaky and get a mouthful then bugger off! He also tried to tank when leading...

It took a few months but I found that, with the aid of food and a bridle, I got more control of him. I put the rope under his chin with the head collar to get more control, never tried over the nose but under the nose seemed to work quite well for me.

Maybe see if you can find some food stuff he is keen on? Fruit, treats, lick, anything that maybe you could put in a bucket to get him interested then lassoo his neck once there.

Dunno if any of that will help but it does get better :) It's been a lot of time and effort but Harry now comes to call and is so easy to catch, he'll happily stand with me in the field and have a hug and stroke, it's really hard to think that this time last year, you couldn't get near him! And as for leading, he's brilliant. And a sharp tug sorts him out if he's being an idiot.

So perserver and it should all be worth it :) Good luck!
 
Mine did exactly this when I first got her: Either bolted, or rooted.

I don't remember how long she did it for, but she got over it with perseverance and I've not had any other problems with catching her since (we're talking 12 years).
 
Thanks for the support everyone! It's so good to hear that I'm not the only one. I feel sorry for him - his last owner had him 10 months and the one before that just 3 months. I will keep at it! I am determined!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top