Feeling demoralized :)

[margaretb]

Gosh, horses pull at your heart strings! I find it so sad that Poppy has gone from being so willing to come to me to be caught, and has stood so quietly to have her halter put on, to being so evasive. She always used to call and come up enthusiastically, but with a toss of her head. Someone suggested tho, that this head movement is defiance, (a circular toss) and oh boy, that rings true! She wants the titbits I present, but is off before I can clip the leadrope on the halter. Once clipped on she is an angel. I am trying to be patient, but stupid as it sounds I am in tears as I think she doesn't want anything to do with me!

On a positive note tho, realising all was not going to plan, I have got someone to ride Poppy for me on a regular basis, as I know full well my confidence is gone. S is getting on really well with Poppy, Poppy is listening to S and they look lovely together. I have to say S can catch Poppy up, even if it may take a little time! All I want is for the horse to be happy, so hopefully this will work out!

 

[scrumpyjackles]

poor you - i had a pony once that would never let me catch him without food and its horrid, hope you work it out with her

 

[amandap]

Try and not take this behaviour personally. It's spring, the grass is yummy and it sounds like your horse has learned that she can get the treat without having to be caught. She's clever, rather than not wanting to work.
Perhaps time for a rethink about the sequence of treating when catching? Also do some work (out of the field) with halter on and off building up to treating when the halter is on rather than before the halter goes on.

 

[*hic*]

Quick answer - don't let her get the titbits until she's clipped on.

When you do get hold of her tie a small loop of thinned binder twine to where you usually clip the lead rope on, to that attach a foot or so of old leadrope. It won't be long enough for her to tread on when she's moving but it gives you a chance to grab her when she goes for a treat and once you have got her securely to clip on the leadrope.

Then as often as you can go into the field, catch her up, then give her a titbit - one only! - give her a pat, tell her she's a good girl and let her go.

If she's still a pain consider sectioning off a small part of the field so she's really only stretching her legs, not filling herself up, and catch her and take her away from that area for a haynet. ie if you want not to be hungry you'll have to come with me!

 

[Tickles]

Don't worry too much.

I have shared two different horses. Both did/do different things well for me than for their owners. And both try different things on too.

I was thinking last night: some owners have the horses they think they have rather than the horses they do have if you see what I mean.

A great piece of advice is to "ride [or in your case catch!] the horse [pony] you meet today". Don't worry about the past, keep a nice fresh approach and adapt your behaviour to pony's mood etc.

For catching there is loads of good advice on here. Would also recommend a ground work and a ridden lesson. Get an experienced person to verify that you are giving the right clear messages and varying work enough that pony will look forward to it.

 

[margaretb]

Don't worry too much.

I have shared two different horses. Both did/do different things well for me than for their owners. And both try different things on too.

I was thinking last night: some owners have the horses they think they have rather than the horses they do have if you see what I mean.

A great piece of advice is to "ride [or in your case catch!] the horse [pony] you meet today". Don't worry about the past, keep a nice fresh approach and adapt your behaviour to pony's mood etc.

For catching there is loads of good advice on here. Would also recommend a ground work and a ridden lesson. Get an experienced person to verify that you are giving the right clear messages and varying work enough that pony will look forward to it.

Thank you everyone; I am now having lessons on her, and the sharer is going to be putting in time in with her both groundwork and ridden, although it will be gradual as she's been out of work for a while. This is possibly the root of the problem, she's had an easy 12 months but the worm has turned!! And yes, she is a clever mare!! But lovely!! And she does appear to enjoy the new regime - once you catch her!