Behaviour change- help!!

[Caritaffy]

*warning long read but bare with me trying to give you all facts*
I bought my sons 11.2hh lead rein pony in December, he was used for sellers grandchildren to learn to ride plus pony parties and seeing him in action was assured by his character.
For the first few weeks he didnt have a companion and he came to call was more than happy to be fussed.
Mid january my new stable builders let us down and we had a close family bereavement and given horrific weather friends took him for us. He was great with her horses, she rode him and we had weekly reports of how good he was and great nature- another reassurance on hos good character.
Hes been home 3 weeks new field shelter and stable is up, he has a non ridden companion hes very happy with but for last 3 days has decieded he does not want to be caught.
Despite companion being more than happy to come to call be caught and be fussed we can not get near sons pony.
My sons pony has started to stay back from touching distance and also taken to swinging his backend round which is very threatening and confirms doesnt wnat to be caught. He is however more than happy to be fussed if there is a fence or gate between us! If same side I can not get near him and at wits end.
I got him yesterday by removing companion and he stayed by gate but thats not a long term solution.
Today i spent an hour just sitting quietly near them both, companion came for fuss and carrots, sons pony watched at a distance, tried to get treat without coming close enough for me to grab. (i say grab, Im not wildly reaching for him im trying to get close enough to slip head collar on)
Any advice greatly recieved!!!! Thank you

 

[Hsaam]

Hmh, sounds like a toughie. I had two mates do the same thing. Mabey try getting them in a smaller pen if you have one when you want to catch him.

 

[Patterdale]

Sounds like Grass.

Can you put a leather headcollar on him with 2-3ft of baler twine attached? Easier to grab then.

Then go at the same time every day with a feed and catch him. Carrots in a bucket will do. When he comes to the bucket, grab the string and hold him whilst he eats. Then stroke him, pat him and let go. You have to do it every day though.

 

[OldNag]

Yup. Change in grass? Mine will try on for a few days when there is grass and he is not muzzled . Ponies!! Having a field safe head collar makes things easier

 

[PSD]

My mare used to do this when the grass was up. She was an absolute nightmare! Wasn’t even bothered if I left her out alone, soon as the grass had been eaten down she would be begging to come in for food. Maybe stick a muzzle on him to make it easier to catch, if it is the grass that’s the issue.

 

[Caritaffy]

Thanks all, I see them a few times a day as their field is next to my garden, this morning for example as usual both waiting by gate littlenone first to come forward and second one allowed me to touch him BUT today his ears were back- he didnt bite but Im worried by the aggressive behavour- bum turning and now ears back. I wont let my son go in field and that saddens me as he should be able to see his pony.
I will try sectioning off smaller area and look at investing in a muzzle to restrict grazing (but need to get near him to put it on!).So frustrated as such a change in attitude :-(

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Thanks all, I see them a few times a day as their field is next to my garden, this morning for example as usual both waiting by gate littlenone first to come forward and second one allowed me to touch him BUT today his ears were back- he didnt bite but Im worried by the aggressive behavour- bum turning and now ears back. I wont let my son go in field and that saddens me as he should be able to see his pony.
I will try sectioning off smaller area and look at investing in a muzzle to restrict grazing (but need to get near him to put it on!).So frustrated as such a change in attitude :-(

It's not about how many times a day you see him, it's about getting him into a routine. Get him used to coming to you for a bucket of something *at the same time everyday*.

As others have said put a fieldsafe headcollar on him, so that you don't have to put the headcollar on and give him a chance to run off while you do it. It will be the grass that is more attractive atm than you are.

Also try not to let him see that you are worried by his behaviour, or it will escalate. If he threatens you make yourself very big and fierce and chase him away.

 

[ycbm]

Have you asked the previous owners if they had problems catching him in summer? It might not help, but at least you'd know it's not anything you are doing.

I don't find anything more frustrating than a horse who won't be caught!

.

 

[be positive]

Thanks all, I see them a few times a day as their field is next to my garden, this morning for example as usual both waiting by gate littlenone first to come forward and second one allowed me to touch him BUT today his ears were back- he didnt bite but Im worried by the aggressive behavour- bum turning and now ears back. I wont let my son go in field and that saddens me as he should be able to see his pony.
I will try sectioning off smaller area and look at investing in a muzzle to restrict grazing (but need to get near him to put it on!).So frustrated as such a change in attitude :-(

That sounds like defensive behaviour, not aggressive, are you sure the other one is not being a bit of a bully, sometimes the quiet ones are a bit sneaky and keep the other one away from their people with no obvious signs, if the companion has had to fight for food at some point it may well have learned how to push others away with no real aggression just a look can make a submissive pony back off.

 

[Landcruiser]

If you are backing off when he pins ears or turns his bum, you are reinforcing his behaviour, possibly why it's escalated from bum turning to ear pinning. I would try walking him down - basically go in with your halter and rope, walk positively towards him, and when he legs it or turns his bum, send him away from you, keep him moving. Just walk after him and keep him from settling to graze. When you are good and ready, try walking positively towards him again, repeat as long as it takes. 12 years ago I had to do this with my first horse - it took about an hour I guess, but he was always easily catchable after that. It might take longer - but do it on a day you have plenty of time, and don't let yourself be frustrated. You need an attitude of "I've got as long as it takes, mate...." Once caught, maybe just pet/groom, then turn him back out. Next day, repeat if necessary. This is time worth putting in, and will pay off in spades going forward.

 

[honetpot]

My daughters first pony was an old pro, when they get to a certain age they have learned all the tricks, seen several children and bought the T shirt. Ours would pull faces and scare them off, never threatened with his bum, pinned his ears back, and literally scowl at them. We had a small paddock at home so I would watch from the kitchen window as he gave them the run around. Sometimes he would even do it to me and if you set aside time a lunge whip where you keep moving them on, no need to get angry, when he starts dropping his head ask him to stand. When you move towards him go towards the shoulder, if he turns his bum send him on the again. If he stands he gets a pat and a carrot. Also bring him in not ride him and give him a token feed, so its not just about work.
Ponies are super smart, lots of brain power that they seem to spend all day using to get out of doing anything, so the pay off has to be they do as they a told for X amount of time, and then leave them alone. All our best ponies are the ones who just did the job and wanted to go back to eat.