Horse won't be caught to bring in

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Oriel

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Over the last week or so my horse simply refuses to be caught and brought in despite it being -5 at times. He seems to want to come in and will come to the gate, but as soon as I go to put his head collar on he rushes away.

He's always been really good to catch (apart from a few times in the spring, which I can understand). He normally comes to me as soon as I arrive at the gate - I don't even have to walk to him.

I've just spent over an hour and its dark now so he'll have to stay out again... so frustrating! I just can't figure out what's wrong. Any ideas?
 
Sounds like he's coming over to ask for his dinner, but would prefer to stay out. I'd be delighted if Alf didn't fancy coming in and making my nice clean stable dirty - but he likes his routine!
 
I had the same last week, doesnt want to come in at night, he isn't allowed to stay out, so I got a hot feed banged the bowl and called him, the first night I fed him in the field and then caught him, the next night he had the feed outside the field, now I leave the feed outside the field catch him and he is not allowed to have it until he is in his barn.I tried keeping him moving but this wasn't an option as it was trashing the field.
 
You're not wearing a hat are you? I only ask because my YM struggled to catch another liveries pony tonight until she took her hat off and then the pony came happily. I think part of the difficulty I have had catching my horse in the rain is that he was scared of my hood!
 
My gelding used to do this still does on occasions, try not to make eye contact when you approach and if he let me close enough to touch him I would just rub his neck then walk away turn your back on him, you might find he will walk with you then let you catch him, just be really calm and dont look at him it worked for me.
 
Tilda said:
You're not wearing a hat are you? I only ask because my YM struggled to catch another liveries pony tonight until she took her hat off and then the pony came happily. I think part of the difficulty I have had catching my horse in the rain is that he was scared of my hood!
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Our old groom used to do that with my mare, who was already bad to catch.
 
Does he have to come in? If not I'd just leave him! My mare is still out at night, though I make sure to bring her into the stable to feed her so as not to get her in to the habit of being fed at the gate!
 
Does he seem scared of the head collar? For a horse that is normally happy to come in I find this very odd :-/

Does he crowd the gate when other liveries are bringing their horses in?
 
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