Can't catch my pony :( HELP!

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claires302

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Hi, my new pony was delivered yesterday morning. He's a 5year old 13.2 appaloosa. He was fine yesterday in his stable, when I was grooming etc. Put him out in the field yesterday (with his head collar on) he was fine. Went to him this morning, he came to me, let me stroke his neck but when I went to clip his leadrope to his head collar he spun round and cantered off. Tried everything, feed, treats, apples. Tried to get him into a smaller part of the field and fence him in but him charged at it as if to jump it and then ran through it. Tried joining up, chasing him away, sitting down, turinging away from him, walking round ignoring him. Nothing worked! I couldn't get within 5 metres of him without him trotting or cantering away from me. There were more of us at one point trying. I was in the filed for 4hours, he didnt tire out, get curious or come to me. I don't know what to do. His previous owner said he was fine to catch with a bucket of feed. Maybe he needs more time to settle in? I'm back at the yard tomorrow, does anyone have any ideas how to help things tomorrow? I'm worried as I don't want him to hurt himself but I don't want him to think he can just run off and I'll give up. I'm stuck! Any advice will be greatly appreciated
 
Chase her round the field until she looks tired, then let her stop cantering and try and catch her. If she doesn't let you then chase her again, and repeat this until you catch her. Or you could try crawling around the field and apparently the horse will come over and investigate.
 
Haven't got any new ideas, I've tried everything anyone on here has suggested over the last 8 months!! even the crawling on the floor thing
Still touch & go with my spotty-- she's very headshy & nervy. No chance without headcollar- so lives in it permenantly-no comments, please!!!
However, quickly realised that a visible rope equalled no catching- so build of trust - titbit and walk away & leave.
A thin climbers rope with a clip which screws up into my hand with the clip between thumb & finger already at her chin level was all that would work.Means that there are no quick hand movements.
Still can't approach her with a proper leadrope,.Really makes me wonder what has happened in the past because she's very gentle once clipped up.
However, I'm sure you won't have the same problems-more likely to be first day nerves-just be patient.
Good luck.
 
My old horse did this when I first got him. With him, I just took another person and he gave up if there were two of you, but I see you've already tried this. It only lasted a couple of weeks until he settled in, though, and eventually he just came when I called.
 
Have no idea, other then just keep trying eventually he'll give up, but when he goes out again I would attach a lead rope (shortened) then you wont need to clip one on when you get close as it'll already be there.

At a yard (BHS approved) that i worked at, one of the horses would go out with a lunge line attached as you couldnt even get close!!
 
Not had one that bad. You have my sympathy as I once had to follow Dizz round for fifteen minutes first thing in the morning and it was not fun! Especially at that time of day :(

Try what a friend did with her (Appy!) horse. She followed him for a couple of hours. The other horses started turning their bums on him as they didn't want the hassle. I can't remember if she did it once or twice, but she hasn't had a problem since then :).

When you do get to catch ned, try a few times just bringing in and feeding then turning out again, so it seems like it's fun stuff and nothing involving any hard work :).
 
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