More catching advice ……….

[Wizpop]

Hi - prompted by the previous catching thread……..Once my horse is turned out, there’s no way he’s being caught till “ in time”!
The field is quite big and I’ve tried walking him down ie not allowing him to stop and eat but there’s another horse in the field that then starts to chase and generally gets very boisterous- so it all becomes a bit unsafe. Taking in treats to catch is a non starter because of the other horses and field safe headcollar gets removed by said boisterous horse!!
Has anyone any suggestions???

 

[Red-1]

Catch the other one first?

Turn out in a smaller area until the issue is resolved?

Make being caught more attractive, and make it happen several times a day?

 

[Wizpop]

Thanks Red1 - yes I’ve thought of that but nowhere really to put other horse once caught as a fair walk up to yard- plus he’s 17h and a bit of a thug! Even with no other horses in field, mine still refuses to be caught! I can only think that fencing off a small part of field might work- although he jumped out last time I tried it so need to rethink! We haven’t got any “spare” fields either.

 

[Red-1]

I'm afraid that, if what you are doing now isn't working, something has to change.

Maybe move yards until the catching issue is solved?

I usually confine to a small paddock these days but, in similar circumstances, I have walked them down. Usually, when people say that walking them down doesn't work, they have only tried for an hour or two. I have been 4 hours a few times, it isn't easy.

One thing I won't do is start to walk them down, then give up. If tyou walk them down for an hour, then give up, you just taught them that they have to walk for at least an hour in order not to be caught. If you then up it to two hours, then give up, you just taught them to walk for 2 hours to avoid being caught.

So, if I'm going to walk them down, I would take a flask and someone to take over while you have a wee or drink. Be consistent for however long it takes for that first time. Catch them, treat them and turn away again.

Next day, do the same.

I find catch time will half every day.

To avoid the other horse becoming too involved, keep at a distance, quiet and low key.

I always try to decide why the horse doesn't want to be caught. With my old mare, it was the first sign her saddle needed adjustment. She was too polite to actively object to saddling or riding, but was simply less keen to come in. The saddle was due a check anyway, and as soon as it was done the catching issue magically disappeared.

 

[Wizpop]

Thanks again Red-1 for taking the time to reply.

Yard move s8mply isn’t an option I’m afraid for a number of reasons.

I do think that the only practical solution will be to create a smaller, individual paddock within the field. The walking down option I have tried- and pursued to conclusion on a few occasions but this is not now possible due to the boisterous horse who is too full of confidence for his own good and gets involved in everything that’s going on! He is very easily bored and looks for things to do.

I simply wondered, when I posted, if there was anything that I’d missed that I could try. He has had his saddle checked and has regular physio. He does like to be out rather than in, although he’s happy to come in at tea time, so I’m thinking that he simply prefers to be out and this is his way of letting me know!

 

[ponynutz]

Possibly sounds to me like other horse is actually the hindrance here? Is other horse yours? Is there another field with a different group on the yard that you could turn out in? Might help solve issues.

I'd suggest leather headcollar if other horse is trying to take it off too. Actually catching him could try a short leadrope attached to him (that he cant stand on) for something extra to grab. Or yes, timing riding and such for when he likes to come in.

 

[Peglo]

Could you fence off a small bit of field and give him a feed in it (to keep the thug away too.) Once he knows to go in the field for a feed start putting the head collar on and feed him in the paddock. I would go at different times through the day. I also let mine have a munch on hay (she loves hay) before she goes back to the field so that’s the last thing she thinks off before returning. She usually doesn’t want to go back. Could do the same with a feed if he’s not fussed on hay

 

[Carrottom]

When it is "in" time what happens? Are you able to reward your horse for being caught? This would be my starting place for training in your situation.