'Catching' in stable

[SaddlePsych'D]

How do you approach horses that don't want to be caught in the stable? I've come across it in fields before, and know there's lots of different advice for this, but never in the stable. I was inspired by other posts around the topic of 'horses knowing when they can take advantage' and while I've made good progress with share horse, this is one quirk I'm less sure about. Sometimes, not all the time, he darts to the back of the stable and looks at you, if you approach he's away to the front of the stable. There's no pinned ears or anything like that, more of a 'nope don't want to play with you' type attitude.

Disclaimer - I have sought advice from owner and instructor on this and will ask again, but as always wanting to learn more about different ways of approaching a problem. Current solutions are keeping tied in stable until all jobs done (my preferred option) or bribery with a treat (only given once properly caught, as learned from the time he streeeeeetched out to get the treat before promptly zipping back to the corner *eye roll*) Of course when instructor showed me how she would approach him, he stood there and she was able to direct him to where she wanted him to be, but when I did it on another occasion we ended up doing a couple of dances round the stable. She assures me there's no threat from him to kick out but it's not a situation I like to be in with his back end in my direction. Once he is 'caught' that's it and I'm fine putting him where I want him.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Change your mindset! It's not a bribe it's a reward for doing what you have asked him to do. Say his name in a light, bright, cheery tone to attract his attention, which in most situations will bring him to the door. Open the bolts quickly - no faffing about with them, ask him to take a step back, stand facing the horse's shoulder, rather than his nose. Most horses do not like you to be directly in front of them when putting tack on. I use traditional halters, rather than headcollars but if you think he will move away, put t the rope over his neck and keep hold of it. Ask him to drop his nose into the noseband, fasten up and reward. If necessary you can reward each step, which will keep his attention on you.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Change your mindset! It's not a bribe it's a reward for doing what you have asked him to do. Say his name in a light, bright, cheery tone to attract his attention, which in most situations will bring him to the door. Open the bolts quickly - no faffing about with them, ask him to take a step back, stand facing the horse's shoulder, rather than his nose. Most horses do not like you to be directly in front of them when putting tack on. I use traditional halters, rather than headcollars but if you think he will move away, put t the rope over his neck and keep hold of it. Ask him to drop his nose into the noseband, fasten up and reward. If necessary you can reward each step, which will keep his attention on you.

Interesting, I shall reframe bribe to reward! The reason I'm a bit cautious about it is that he's very 'enthusiastic' about treats and from the very little I know about using food reward you have to be careful with your timing so you reward the right thing (I don't want to end up teaching him the wrong habits or to nip) I think this is his owner's preferred way of approaching it so I will double check how she does it. Once he's 'caught' he doesn't tend to go off again, it's the getting close enough to him when he's playing that particular game.

 

[Tarragon]

If they turn their rump towards you and put their head in a corner, then use body language to shoo their hindquarters away from you and as soon as they start to turn towards you, drop the big body language and reward.
Probably, not explained that very well but perhaps it might help.
Mind you, if you had a horse that was previously a "head-over-the-stable-door" sort, that is now turning away from you, i would have a think if there could be anything wrong, such as tack not fitting.

 

[catembi]

I had a very feral, scared NF youngster. What worked for her was putting the lead rope over her back, then inching it up towards her head so that she felt she had something on the other side. I just did that for ages, then one day she actually let me put her headcollar on without all the faffing. But if she turns away, I just put the rope over her back & do it that way.

I did have a behaviouralist out who showed me what to do when she turned her quarters towards me & it did work for him, but I have forgotten what he did. She has never kicked...just protective.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

If they turn their rump towards you and put their head in a corner, then use body language to shoo their hindquarters away from you and as soon as they start to turn towards you, drop the big body language and reward.
Probably, not explained that very well but perhaps it might help.
Mind you, if you had a horse that was previously a "head-over-the-stable-door" sort, that is now turning away from you, i would have a think if there could be anything wrong, such as tack not fitting.

Thank you, no I'm fairly sure this is not a new behaviour for him as his owner/others on the yard seem to evaluate it as him 'being him'. I suspect he picks up something subtle in my body language for sure, I try not to be timid but will admit I feel less brave about shifting the back end (especially when it's pointing at me) than I do the front or side - if that makes sense?

 

[PapaverFollis]

I trained my sometimes difficult to catch one to put her nose in the headcoller for a reward. Like I would muzzle train a dog basically. It's a long time now since she's turned away from her headcoller and she definitely doesn't get regular rewards for putting her nose in it any more. Because I've completely forgotten it was ever a problem!

In the stable as you describe I just try to stick to their shoulder if they move, move with them and wait them out. If I didn't want to reward train for some reason. Approach calmly and sideways one without staring at them too, you can look where you are going and at the horse but obliquely. Keep headcoller and hands low and quiet. You could try an advance retreat approach too. Walk away before the horse moves. Repeat ad nauseum until the horse is utterly bored with you. Reward successful proximity with a nice scratch and walk off again.... etc etc. Once you've got the headcoller on give a reward or a scratch and take it off again. And repeat.

It's probably just a case of learning how to position yourself and approach.

 

[Boulty]

If he'll come for food, have a headcollar put on & stand tied up then if that's the easiest way around the problem that's what I'd do. No need to look for fancy solutions if a simple one will do.

 

[Lois Lame]

In the stable as you describe I just try to stick to their shoulder if they move, move with them and wait them out. If I didn't want to reward train for some reason. Approach calmly and sideways one without staring at them too, you can look where you are going and at the horse but obliquely. Keep headcoller and hands low and quiet. You could try an advance retreat approach too. Walk away before the horse moves. Repeat ad nauseum until the horse is utterly bored with you. Reward successful proximity with a nice scratch and walk off again.... etc etc. Once you've got the headcoller on give a reward or a scratch and take it off again. And repeat.

It's probably just a case of learning how to position yourself and approach.

I agree.