Rana
Well-Known Member
Ok, so a bit of background...horse is 27, retired polo pony, chestnut mare (and a typical one at that!). I've had her for 13 years. First year I had her, I couldn't catch her from May to August. No kidding, not once. Since then, she's been better. Until now....
So, this is what I've tried so far:
Join up - the first year I had her - did this for 2 hours a day, every day, for 3 months. Then I managed to catch her. Honestly, I think she'd have given in after that time anyway! Not overly practical at the moment as I have less time and help available than I did back then.
Keeping her walking - tried this a few years ago and I gave up after 6 hours when my legs were about to drop off. Tried again a couple of weeks ago and she hooned up and down like an idiot (not good for her legs or mine!). It seemed to scare her more than anything.
Sitting in the field - gave up after 8 hours of her completely ignoring me. She didn't look at me once.
Feed - looks interested and comes up, then runs off as soon as you go into the field.
Making her jealous by giving her friend fuss and polo's - this is the most effective so far, she usually comes up to approx 2m away, but runs off as soon as I move. Have tried doing this for 2 hours at a time - she doesn't come any closer or become any more relaxed.
Lunge line with helpers to "corner" her - she panics and jumps over the fence/lunge line/through helpers. At her age, I don't even want to risk this again as I think she's more than likely to injure herself by trying to jump out and missing.
I have tried just going into the field with treats, no headcollar - still won't come near me. In the past, I've tried catching her regularly, feeding her, then letting her go (and different variations - catch her, give her a scratch, titbit, and off again etc). Makes no difference.
The only thing that works is to keep her hungry, which isn't an option I really want to consider (ok, in winter when she's cold and miserable and ready for her dinner, that's a different matter, but I don't want to starve her deliberately).
So, any suggestions? Any weird and wonderful ideas I haven't thought of? (should add that other people have tried without sucess - it isn't just me)
Cookies and Cream Haagen Dazs for anyone who got this far, and add a flake for anyone who replies
So, this is what I've tried so far:
Join up - the first year I had her - did this for 2 hours a day, every day, for 3 months. Then I managed to catch her. Honestly, I think she'd have given in after that time anyway! Not overly practical at the moment as I have less time and help available than I did back then.
Keeping her walking - tried this a few years ago and I gave up after 6 hours when my legs were about to drop off. Tried again a couple of weeks ago and she hooned up and down like an idiot (not good for her legs or mine!). It seemed to scare her more than anything.
Sitting in the field - gave up after 8 hours of her completely ignoring me. She didn't look at me once.
Feed - looks interested and comes up, then runs off as soon as you go into the field.
Making her jealous by giving her friend fuss and polo's - this is the most effective so far, she usually comes up to approx 2m away, but runs off as soon as I move. Have tried doing this for 2 hours at a time - she doesn't come any closer or become any more relaxed.
Lunge line with helpers to "corner" her - she panics and jumps over the fence/lunge line/through helpers. At her age, I don't even want to risk this again as I think she's more than likely to injure herself by trying to jump out and missing.
I have tried just going into the field with treats, no headcollar - still won't come near me. In the past, I've tried catching her regularly, feeding her, then letting her go (and different variations - catch her, give her a scratch, titbit, and off again etc). Makes no difference.
The only thing that works is to keep her hungry, which isn't an option I really want to consider (ok, in winter when she's cold and miserable and ready for her dinner, that's a different matter, but I don't want to starve her deliberately).
So, any suggestions? Any weird and wonderful ideas I haven't thought of? (should add that other people have tried without sucess - it isn't just me)
Cookies and Cream Haagen Dazs for anyone who got this far, and add a flake for anyone who replies