please help, any advice appreciated..

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alfielola05

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my horse has suddenly become tricky to catch, previously would wander/gallop over happily but now walks away. i can catch her as she does want to come in, but just want to know the best way to deal with this before it becomes an ingrained issue, as i am sure once it gets to spring and she isnt keen to come in for food it could become a real issue. I appreciate its not dramatic in the grand scheme of things but i am worried would really like to nip it in the bud, any ideas welcome! thank you
 
My pony did this and it drove me up the wall, he once spent 2 weeks in the field as no one could get near him.
then someone suggested this, i was doubtful at first but it worked so bear with me.
Just bang a headcollar on your horse and take it in the school. Try and get it into a corner (i used a lunge whip to help, I DID NOT WAVE IT AROUND LIKE A LUNATIC THOUGH!!), i just held it out if he tried to get passed. Once he was in the corner i would turn my back on him and walk away from gate to bottom of school. i did this until he followed me and i kept giving him treats every time he came and stood next to me.

I was doubtful at first like i said, but it really did work
 
Do you give her treats when you catch her, if not start taking some of her favourites and reward her every time you catch her and when you let her go, she should soon see its worth it.
Do you always catch her then ride because that can sometimes make them more reluctant to be caught.
 
be positive said:
Do you give her treats when you catch her, if not start taking some of her favourites and reward her every time you catch her and when you let her go, she should soon see its worth it.
Do you always catch her then ride because that can sometimes make them more reluctant to be caught.
Click to expand...

Be careful with this.
I know someone who did this BUT the horse got the treat BEFORE the head-collar was on. He then learned to grab the treat and run - kicking out as he did so.

Reward ONCE you have caught her, if you go down this route :)
 
After owning a riding school/dealing yard I know this one only too well. I find going to the field at odd time, catching taking to graze in hand even just for a short while on better grass than in field or feed a token feed then turn straight back out breaks any pattern in an expectation to be ridden or pulled about. Keep them on their toes, they will never know if you are going to ride, feed or simply hand graze. Has always worked on my large yards.
 
My old chap used to be a nightmare at times often when I was meeting someone so didn't have the time to mess about! I tried all the usual things re treats buckets catch then let go again.I even used to wear jogging bottoms over my jods because he was better if I was in normal clothes. It wasnt like he didn't like to be ridden he loved going out even though he was a handful. It all started when I got my puppy I thought he was jealous bless him. I read the first Richard Maxwell book which described walking down....be prepared to be at it all day the first time!....but basically if they won't be caught you follow them about so they can't eat not aggressively just head down shoulders rounded and walking stop when they stop but if they eat or still don't let you touch them you walk them on again you do this until they submit to you. You will normally get mouthing licking lips and head down a bit before they actually submit. But when they do you should be able to run your hand all over them without them moving and then put the head collar on. Then do something like a quick groom, a little walk or a small feed, something they like but not work and turn them out again. After I did this even if he really had one on him it never took me longer than 10 minutes again. However it stopped completely when I went bitless with him so it helped the symptom but not the cause that coupled with his other issues I now know were down to the fact he didn't like bits if only we could have the benefit of hindsight sooner! So I would say especially as its new to him while tackle the problem have a think is he trying to tell you something?
 
Ditto the walking them round and not letting them eat. My my ned is turned out in a new field of long grass he used to be a monkey to catch but never for long when I make him walk on, he now just walks off and then when he realises he's not allowed to eat turns round and comes straight back as I always let him eat a bit more AFTER the head collar is on!
 
How many people spend time with their horses, just not riding them. My horses never know if they are going to be ridden or fed, or if i am just going to stand in the field with them and rub their ears. I also walk up calmly, not staring at them, shoulders down and relaxed. I do not march up in what could be, to them, an aggressive way.
Food does help, tasty treats like apples, I feed those in a bucket in the yard.
 
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