catching problems

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silverstar

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Im having problems catching my new horse. I can catch him but he plants his feet. I need to get him in this week as Ive got the vet and farrier coming out. Ive tried just moving his feet i.e. moving backwards and away from me in a circle but this doesnt seem to be working. Im really not sure what to do next. Help!!

Food or treats doesnt work, well it did for about a day.
 
Oh no sorry to hear you having trouble. Are you trying to fetch him in on his own? If so could you try and get another horse to bring in with him a few times so he knows what is going on? Also try a pressure halter with a lunge rope and if you do manage to get him in do some leading exercises so he can build up some trust with you. Hope you find a solution.
 
Try & make him see that not being lead is more work than being lead. Keep him moving, even if it is backwards & in a circle.

My mare went through a phase where she wouldn't be caught. I once spent 20mins in the field keeping her moving, she effectively "lunged" with no rein! If she stopped I smacked the lead rope against my chap & urged her on, finally she'd stand & look at me & I'd be able to go catch her.

She occasionally does it now but only have to get her going in circles a couple of times & she decides its not worth the effort :p
 
from your posts about your new horse it does sound like he is taking the pee big style.

id carry a whip he stops one good hard smack behind you, Id better he never does it again.
 
I really understand where your coming from here, my old horse used to plant all the time coming in. I was able to get him out of the field but only half way to the yard, It was a nightmare especially if like you say you have a vet/farrier coming.
Here's what i tried!
zig zagging sideways- worked a bit as he only refused to go forward.
turning him round and backing him up the track
A lungle line round his bum
bringing other horses in- this didnt work, unless i brought the whole yard full in. Not practical
sitting it out (sat for 2 hours once, didnt work!)
This took absolutely ages but eventually it was food that worked I would hold a feed scoop inches out of reach- he could hold out for 15mins or more but every tiny step got a few nuts. The first few weeks literally took an hour or more to bring in (normally 2 min walk) and was really painfully irrirating- I did cry many times! but it worked after time he would go 2 steps between planting then 5 and so on until i only gave a handfull of nuts at his stable.
Wont work for everyone but i really hope you can sort it out- its such a rubbish problem as it also effects things like loading if they get bad at planting
x
 
jhoward said:
from your posts about your new horse it does sound like he is taking the pee big style.

id carry a whip he stops one good hard smack behind you, Id better he never does it again.
Click to expand...

I did also try this as did many others with my horse and he just went up or bucked mentally! He was a particularly shi*** horse tho to be fair. A slap with the end of a lead rope often works if its just a mild piss taker!
 
my old mare tried this on a few times. She would be being led then just plant. I used to force her to step sideways and once she was moving urge her forwards, even if its just a few steps it's progress and shows the horse they arent completely winning.
 
My gelding did this. He will still try it occasionally. It is often down to insecurity. Your horse really needs to trust and respect you. You have just moved yards and have only had him about a month so he ill b feeling terrified that he will be moved again, especially if he has made some new horsey friends. My boy stopped doing it only when I established myself as leader. I found he was easier to drive than drag if he planted. When he plants, I step behind his shoulder and go to tap his side. I also use a strong voice to get him moving and act very confident and assertive. He usually then moves foreward. I also made sure he got a small feed every time I brougt him in, and often I didn't ride either. Now he rarely plants and I can bring him in and tack up and ride with no problems. But I warn you. It took months to gain his trust. Some horses take longer than others.
 
Thanks everyone.

I tried the feed in front of his nose thing, he wouldnt move. Also if I tap him with the leadrope he goes up which isnt good.

McNally - he wasnt good loading in the trailer either. But its better than not being caught, its the leaving the field thats the problem.
 
A schooling whip or maybe make him back up in the direction you want to go in. Usually works well, I tend to back them for a few strides then spin then round and walk normally forwards, if they stop spin them round again and make them go backwards, they soon get bored and just give up!
 
circle, circle, circle tightly, then try to lead on- if no success, do it again. Get a dually headcollar, that may help. Enlist someone to come up behind with a schooling whip. Take your saddle down, catch in a bridle, and ride back. Grazing muzzle so horse is hungry and WANTS to come in for a feed. ANYTHING to get the upper hand really.

I really would try and join-up with this horse, as it sounds like you're not getting on? Tbh, I would get experienced help, as bad behaviour will only get worse if they can get away with it. Are you sure this is the right horse for you ?
 
when my old boy came home we only came in from the field in reverse as he refused to walk forwards & would plant so after 3 days of easily catching him but not getting past the B!**$y gate i turned him around as if going back into field & then made him back up by slapping his chest with the rope, he was half way into yard before he realized.
had to do it for several weeks & then the penny finally dropped (but he was an ID, so not the sharpest tool in the box)
 
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