lunging/join up?

You can do it in the field. It takes a lot longer but it is possible. I once had to catch a pony that had been left out for months as he was 'unable to be caught' and he had pretty much gone feral. So I said I'd give it a go and joined up with him in the field and he followed me in at liberty. Yes, it did take all day, and yes, it was totally worth it. The smaller the field the better. If you could use electric fencing or showjumps to fence off a section it would be better.
 
unbalanced said:
You can do it in the field. It takes a lot longer but it is possible. I once had to catch a pony that had been left out for months as he was 'unable to be caught' and he had pretty much gone feral. So I said I'd give it a go and joined up with him in the field and he followed me in at liberty. Yes, it did take all day, and yes, it was totally worth it. The smaller the field the better. If you could use electric fencing or showjumps to fence off a section it would be better.
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unfortunately our horses are being turned out just now as their feild is waterlogged :( he gets turned out in a paddock anyway so hopefully i can try it when they get back out! i just want to try it sooner rather than later hehe!
 
You can do other groundwork than join-up on line. Get your horse to move around e.g. move the forehand, hindquarters, backup, come towards you, follow you, trot and canter, back up next to you, sidepass over a pole - anything you think of really - but prepare for being at liberty by doing it all on a slack rope and make a game of keeping the slack in the rope. Does that make sense? Sorry, I am quite tired and my tumble dryer has broken so I have the space heater on full blast to dry my work clothes for tomorrow so it's like a sauna in here and thus I may not be making sense. Feel free to say if not.
 
Personally I wouldn't worry too much. I'm not against join-up on a once-off type basis but really don't see the benefit in sending away a horse that will already join up with you. If I can walk into a field and 'catch' a horse by walking up to it/calling it and then walking with it following me to the gate (or similar scenario) then I'd rather not be chasing it. The ground work idea is great though.
 
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