Help - Was she trying it on?

E

express_75

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 July 2007
Messages
556
Location
Wales
Visit site
Hi
Had my Welsh D for just over 5 weeks now and last night i went to the field to get her in for a lunge, anyway, i left my torch in BF car and it was pitch dark, called her and could hear her coming down the field, no rush, must have waited 20 mins. I went in and tried to put her headcollar on, head up in the air and she walked off, NEVER done this before and TBH i was very upset:( It was very muddy and i was SO P***ed off about the torch etc..tried again, no chance then my final attempt i did manage of get her nose in but the flippin collar was twisted and she got away! Off i went, lump in throat! Thinkin she hates me.
Should i have persisted? Was she trying it on? Help!
I don't want her taking the upper hand. I am soft but want some respect off her. This was a first and don't want her to make a habit of it.
What body lauguage should i use to make her understand?

Any help would be great!
Thanks x
 
Sounds to me like she is just trying you out. From experience horses tend to behave for the first few weeks then see what they can get away with. I wouldn't worry though the good thing is that she did come over to you. I would just spend some time putting a head collar on her giving her some feed or a treat then turning her back out again. This way she won't expect to be worked everytime you catch her.
Good luck and don't be too disheartened all horses have the occasional off day
laugh.gif
 
She doesn't want to spend time with you.
You need to make it fun for her to be caught...at the moment you might be enjoying your relationship, but she obviously isn't.
Perhaps take a few treats to the field and give her them once you have caught her. Catch her in, feed her, turn her out. Or catch her and groom her, then work her, then feed her something nice, then take her grazing in hand, then turn her out with a titbit after you've taken the headcollar off.
Don't catch her just to work her.
Good luck
S
grin.gif
 
I haven't been catching her just to work her.
She's been coming in to have her rug off, i spend ages grooming her and making sure she's warm and comfy etc., washing her legs and putting mud guard on, a small feed, treats, stretches, kisses and hugs! She's been very affectionate..and loves the fuss!
Only the past two night i have lunged her as she needs work.
She's my first horse and i want to do whats best for us both....
 
Ditto most of the other comments! When catching have some tit bits and give a feed as soon as shes in!! Ours now have the routine so firmly in their heads, that u shout and they all come galloping!!! which is so much fun, but is wrecking the field! We give another little feed before they are turned out as well, so they have it in their minds that their in for food!!! We have such pigs for ponies!!! hehe
 
[ QUOTE ]
Only the past two night i have lunged her as she needs work.
She's my first horse and i want to do whats best for us both....

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah, she's not stupid is she...she's spotted the work pattern. Why don't you catch her and give her a 'fake feed' - so chaff, and an apple or a carrot chopped up in it...then work her (with a little fake feed you don't have to wait the hour).
If she walks away from you in the field tonight, you must follow her...and follow her....and follow her...not allowing her to graze....and follow her....and follow her....til eventually you catch her, then fuss her.
Good luck
S
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
ROLL ON SUMMER NIGHTS LOL!

[/ QUOTE ]

Or getting there before it gets dark......

Again, Shilisdar comes up with the goods - a fake feed would be a very crafty way of getting her. She may be clever, but probably not that clever.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
ROLL ON SUMMER NIGHTS LOL!

[/ QUOTE ]

Or getting there before it gets dark......

Again, Shilisdar comes up with the goods - a fake feed would be a very crafty way of getting her. She may be clever, but probably not that clever.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can you tell I've experienced horses that won't catch before...but I am very persistent and walk them down. Always works, but you have to be patient the first couple of days.
S
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
ROLL ON SUMMER NIGHTS LOL!

[/ QUOTE ]

Or getting there before it gets dark......

Again, Shilisdar comes up with the goods - a fake feed would be a very crafty way of getting her. She may be clever, but probably not that clever.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can you tell I've experienced horses that won't catch before...but I am very persistent and walk them down. Always works, but you have to be patient the first couple of days.
S
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry flower, spelt your name wrong
crazy.gif


An old sweet wrapper always worked for Amy - she couldn't resist the noise it made - and just knew there was a goody in store for her!
wink.gif


Bless, she wasn't the brightest candle in the church.......
 
[ QUOTE ]
don't take it personally whatever you do

it doesn't mean she doesn't like you, sounds like she's playing games
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

It means she doesn't fancy going to the gym to work out
grin.gif

And who can blame her....you'd have to lassoo (or possibly harpoon) me!
S
grin.gif
 
Yes try not to take it personally..it is not because she does not like you, they are just clever so and so's these horses. And Welsh D's are to clever and cheeky by far!
smile.gif
The good thing is they are very food driven, particularly goodies...my Welshie will travel at speed from the other end of the field if he hears so much as a crinkle of potential food! He gets himself excited at false alarms too...like my plastic bag for my phone!!!
As has been said, if she walks off and is a pain just keep walking calmly after her until she gives in. I might try to get the lead rope round her neck too first so at least you have hold of her whilst putting the head collar on.
 
Thanks for all your replies,
It's great to have such great, friendly and fast advice
from people who know their stuff!
Keep you posted!
I'll be going to see her by 6pm (after work)
x...............:)
 
Always put the rope around neck before trying to put a headcollar on. What works with my Welsh D is wandering past him and ignoring him. He can't stand it and comes rushing up to see what I am doing.
 
Rope around the neck is always a good idea. Just a thought but is she out on her own or with company? One of mine was hellish to catch when at the old livery, she was turned out with a bunch of avoiders who did everything possible not to be brought in. She soon picked that up. A change of yard and she was immediately back to her easy to catch old ways, and in fact usually headed the field when she saw me at the gate.
smile.gif
 
I have a field safe headcollar on mine makes life a whole lot easier to grab hold of when she's having one of her marey moments.

Whatever you do though - DON'T GIVE UP!

I had someone who was going to ride my horse last week - she couldnt catch her so left her in the field, made my life 10 x more difficult to catch and lead for the next 5 days - now she is back to normal!
 
I tend to use the bribery of an extra strong mint, and always stick the rope round their neck once you're close enough, there's nothing worse than following a horse round and round the field... particularly in the winter.
 
this happened to my friend last week, and my old mare used to do this. I always left a headcollar on her and often just brought her in to feed and groom, but not ride.
 
My horse (another Welsh D!) can be very difficult to catch. He will walk away , trot a circle round you, and keep it up for ages. I will ALWAYS keep after him - though has taken up to 2 1/2 hrs in the past !! - the problem is he is on livery and the staff will give up very quickly so he learns to get away with it again. So keep going with yours and you should get there in the end - but do take a treat with you just in case.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top