I Can't Catch My New Horse.

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hayley19

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ive had my new horse for 6 weeks now and all of a sudden shes hard to catch the last 2 nights i dont even get close to her and she runs off in 1st night i managed to coax her with food and last night i just let her do it till she got bored and in the end she stood and let me catch her shes never been like this since ive had her well not this bad shes had days where shes ran off but let me get her after the 1st time of running off i just dont understand why shes started doing this, they have just been moved into a field with more grass than they had in the other field so that is the only thing i can think of as the other field has nothing.
 
Its still early days and she doesnt know you well yet. The grass is also a good reason for her behaviour. Persevere and try catching her then just turning her away afterwards, then catch and groom then turn away, etc. Dont just catch her when you want something.
 
A good way of getting around this is when she walks off say walk on like you are schooling her and praise her for walking. Be ready for sign of trot and say trot on and praise her. Follow her as if you are loose schooling her. Be ready for the change of gait so it comes through as your command. Keep doing it until she looks like she wants to stop then command stand or whatever you use.
The most times we have had to use this method is twice. They soon learn they cannot use walking away as a means to not being caught. You do have to be fit but it works if you get the command in at the right time. Give loads of praise when the horse does as commanded. It may sound bizar but it does work. Do not get angry or frustrated - easier said than done sometimes:p
Good luck. I am sure the grass is more tempting than anything else:)
 
thanks horses13 thats a good idea i will try that later i just follow her till she gives in i dont even talk to her it doesnt make me annoyed at the min i just think its funny at the time does wear abit thin after 25mins tho i have to bring her in at the mo cuz shes got mud fever on 1 leg so i have to check it and bathe it etc before she can go back out. u wouldnt think she was 16 nearly 17 she acts like a 1 year old lol. must be the throughbred in her lol.
 
Definitely the grass I woud say. My horse is fine to catch 99% of the time but if he has some fresh grass or a new field he will run off. I usually have to get a bucket of feed to tempt him (although wouldn't recommend this method if there are a few in together as you may cause a riot).I agree with the above about making the horse think you want him to move off as when my horse runs then stops, I see him off again which confuses him then I walk away and he generally gets curious and follows. They are too clever for their own good sometimes!
 
i do chase her off and after 25 mins shes panting away and gives in bless her shes so unfit. its just a pain it takes so long its only started since we moved them into the other field thats got plenty of grass lol.
 
This works for my gelding when he runs away:

Walk up to her in a submissive way, so fairly low, and then as soon as she turns to run away, you run off in the other direction. Once she's stopped, do the same thing again, and if she runs away again, you run away too. Eventually, they should let you come over to them. You can also sit on the floor with some food and wait until they come over, which pretty much always works for me.

I also find that if I give loads of attention to the horses around Wings, he gets really jealous and comes over to see what is going on. I then would give him a carrot, and he would stand and let me catch him.
 
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