Catching in the field with tape

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Polos Mum

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Genuine question - there are plenty of other RSPCA bashing threads so just honest answers to this one.

Could someone explain how they intended to catch the black pony on the TV last night with a long piece of white tape? Person at either end, I'd guess 15/20 meters apart.
Were they trying to herd it into a smaller area? wouldn't the pony just run through the tape and get tangled?

I have had difficult to catch ponies before and have never thought of this, just wondered if and how it worked for anyone.
 
It doesn't work.
I've had to catch plenty of wild ponies before and you can put them in a smaller area using a large, like 5ft high roll of solid sheeting, but not a thin pathetic looking bit of tape.
Like you say, it'll just run through it
 
You could use it to get it into a secure area but depending on how much the pony would panic would determine the success. If it was a cheeky one who wasn't scared but wouldn't let you catch it, it would work quite well. Not so likely to work with a nervy one.

I have used a similar idea for cattle who are at the mouth of the pen but too fly to go in. Have it lying on the ground and pull it up behind them. It wouldn't be my first choice put it that way!
 
Thanks, so in desporation with a well handled but naughty pony worth having in the 'box of tricks' but not something I should kick myself for not having thought of before.
 
I would not try it with wild or scared ponies but for a cheeky well handled or ridden pony if you were to tape off an area with tape attached to the fence and feed the pony in there a few times so it thought it was live and then disconnect it to catch the little darling it may well work for you
 
To be effective, most livestock needs to be trained to electric fencing. This is best done by having a training paddock with fences that can give a severe shock (e.g. switch all the current through that fence from a mains unit).

The shock causes a muscle contraction which is unpleasant but harmless. If horses haven't been properly trained, or are panicking, they will run through it as others have said. I used to sell the stuff, so know! Nearly all my fences are permanent electric and the horses won't touch them whether they are on or off. (Neither will I!:eek:).

I doubt whether the ponies in the video had much experience of electric fences, and the RSPCA obviously had even less!:rolleyes:
 
I have seen the tape wheeze fail spectacularly enough times that I would never even consider it as an option.

ETA: Admittedly not electrified. But even if that were effective, I think it is far from an ideal solution.
 
Last edited:
fburton said:
I have seen the tape wheeze fail spectacularly enough times that I would never even consider it as an option.
Click to expand...

Hm I guess if they run through it the metal wires in the tape could cause a nasty injury even if you let go horses I know seem to have an amazing ability to get tangled in stuff and hurt themselves! Or just scare themselves stupid by being chased by a white snake on the ground!!

I had one that didn't like other horses at all (turned out on his own and double fenced), he kicked out at one over a gateway and got the metal electric spring gate caught in his tail !! There were fireworks as he tried to lose the 'snake' that had hold of his tail and was making a very funny noise as it went!
 
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