Mare is a pain to catch. free to good home?!!!!?

[Grumpy Herbert]

If your mare had any trust in you she wouldn't be sodding off even after 7 days

I don't agree. I've had my mare for 19 years and she is a complete nightmare to catch - always has been, and I imagine always will be. I would say she has total trust in me - she is bold as brass, and will do pretty much anything I ask of her. (when I eventually catch her, of course!!) She just prefers to be out in the field with her mates and not to be ridden. Part of the reason that I've never sold her is that I know that many people just wouldn't want to put up with her behaviour, and I understand that completely - she does my nut in some days! Many people over the years have tried to solve the problem, assuming that of course it must be me that's useless rather than her that's a stubborn witch, and all have resoundingly failed.

I would try and corral your horse into a smaller section of field - get some electric fencing and posts, and herd the horse in there. Leave her in there on her own, but in sight of the other horses, and go in and feed/fuss her without trying to catch her. I think they have to come to the conclusion that it's better to do what you want than have the alternative.

Good luck!

 

[Claire-R]

My Last mare was a pain to catch.

My method:

1. Stay calm. no matter how long you are out in that field for absolutely do not get frustrated as it will just make it more difficult to catch her.

2. Do not give up: If you give up trying to catch a horse they will soon learn that they can get away with not being caught.

3. Association. Bring your horse in for a feed when you finally catch her, a bit of a catch and then turn her straight back out. sometimes when you catch her don't even bring her in. just pop a head collar on and give her a scratch and a carrot then let her go. if you only catch her to bring her in for work she will associate catching her with work. Alternate and you will soon get her curious weather she is going to get a treat or not.


Do not go up with a lunge whip that will make matters worse.

Its all about patience and repetition. I know you've said you've tried this before but keep on at it! it will happen.

It also sounds like she needs some ground work. Do some with her in the school you need her to respect you and she sounds like she is taking the mick. Even things like backing her up, making sure she is not in your space, halting when you want her to, moving her away from you etc. If you watch the natural horsemanship videos for the ground work they always do this before they do anything else!

Failing that and you want to give her away I'm in search of a new horse lol

 

[J1993]

Bit of an update! Thanks everyone for all the ideas, there's lots of new ones I'm willing to give a go. Last night I went to asda and bought two bags of carrots, went up this morning and started feeding all her mates little bits of carrots, she was watching from a distance, she started getting closer and closer and was literally about to come to me for a carrot until another horse chased her Away.. Arrrghhhhh. I only had 2 carrots left and she wouldn't come anywhere near me, so I did the whole follow follow follow, keeping her moving. Every now and again she would stop so I would approach from the front, carrot in hand but no, little ****** kept turning away. This had been about 40 mins so as u can imagine I was running out of patience. I don't know how, but she ended up circling round me, so I kept making her trot/walk trot/walk using my voice which she was listening to. I got her to a walk turned around and she stopped. I threw her a tiny piece of carrot and put the other carrot in my hand behind my back facing her, and surprise surprise she came up behind me ate the carrot and got a big cuddle. Even though it took an hour it felt fab to think she came on her own accord then happily stood there with me whilst I gave her a big hug and pay. she didn't turn her bum or try and run off when I held her headcollar once. I am at a clear round show jumping evening tonight so needed her in so she is in her stable with a big haynet and her favourite lick. And will go back out tonight. And we will try the whole process again tomorrow :-( here is a pic of the little devil.

 

[Dry Rot]

Glad you got a result. That first step caused her to make a big effort. Hard work deserves a proportionate reward. May I make a suggestion? Instead of throwing small pieces of carrot, throw bigger ones and try to get them to land in front of her nose so she gets them before the others do. Wait between each time so she has to think.

As she comes closer, give not one slice of carrot, but several. Take a few steps back and make her step towards you if she will. Finish with scratches and cuddles as you have done.

Why this? Making that first approach is a big deal for her which needs a big reward.
By asking her to come towards you for each slice, you are training her to think in terms of walking towards you for a reward, not just standing there gulping down rewards!

Next, offer your carrot with one hand and caress her face, head, neck, etc. with the other and give her the carrot for tolerating the handling. Move gradually to rubbing her with the head collar rather than your hand. If you want, you can get her reaching through the head collar to get the reward. (Yes, she will).

I think you will find this makes for a rapid improvement. Training is done in small steps over time. When it gets to the stage that she starts to mug, stop the treats and just scratch and caress with a rare treat of carrot occasionally if her interest wanes. I cut carrots longways into fingers as I find them easier to feed, but whatever works for you.

 

[Honey08]

My mare can have her moments to be caught. Two things that make a huge difference are (1) a routine and (2) Stopping just a few feet away from her and showing her the treat, then letting her come to you. If I try and go up to her to catch her she will turn and trot off, but if I let her "allow herself to be caught" she is fine.

It must be much harder in such a huge field and a big herd of horses though.