Problem catching Miniature Shetland!

[horsecrazy25]

I have a 5yr old Miniature Shetland. I have had him 3years and he was a very nervous Shetland we he came to us so lots of time was put in to gain his trust.

Lately he has been very bad to catch you move towards him and he's gone. I don't understand why he is like this as he is handled every day, groomed daily, led to the field and led in if were lucky and can catch him.

I have tried feed in a bucket but as soon as you make a move he's off. I have tried sitting on the grass with a carrot and he will come up and nibble it and as soon as you move a hand he has gone. I have tried walking up to him and every time he looks up at me turn my back which occasionally works.

So i was wondering whether anybody has any tips on how to catch my cheeky miniature?

Many Thanks
HC25 X

 

[horsecrazy25]

anyone

 

[clairelouisehorses]

I also had the same problem with my shetland when i first brought him 10 years ago, if i tried to catch him in the field he would wait till I got close to him and gallop off. I just made a point of calmly walking after him and not making eye contact and i just repeated this until he realised i was not giving up and he would let me catch him. After a week of this never had a problem since, he is always waiting for me now

 

[RolyPolyPony]

Approach and retreat!

Stand at a distance he is looking at you. Confidently, but not too quickly, walk towards him. As soon as he looks away or starts to move away, go back to the spot where he was looking at you. Keep repeating this. Eventually he'll let you closer. When you are almost at arms length, hold out your hand, but let him touch your hand with his muzzle first. When he does this, back off a few steps then repeat. After doing this a few times go to stroke his withers. You may have to walk back a few steps then repeat. Then when he's happy with you doing this, rub His headcollar on his neck/withers. Then try to put it on. If he moves away, you may have to repeat rubbing it on his neck. It may take a while but stick with it! I spent 2hours trying to catch my lad before someone showed me this, now if I have any probs,it takes no longer than 5mins using this method.

 

[Shysmum]

We have a ceratin mini at the RDA who would never, ever be caught. He was supposed to be for petting, but that went out the window.

However, three months on (a long time I know), and now when I go down to the field, which I do regularly with the dog, he comes up to me, has a long cuddle, and then sets off to play with the lab. I think he sees me as much less threatening with the dog somehow

Not much help, I know, but you have my sympathy.

 

[horsecrazy25]

clairelouisehorses - Ahhh. I will give this ago. but something tells me Pip will play this game for hours and hours lol. thanks

KirstyLou - This sounds a great idea. Im definately going to try this. Thanks

shysmum - Awwww bless. My other 2 minis will come up for cuddles and treats but Pip is just a little moster Thanks, they run sooo fast as well lol

 

[Shysmum]

You could not corner Jerry, feed him, chuck carrots at him or sit on the ground for hours by the bucket. Catch all the other horses in the field - nope.

One thing that has worked with another pony, tho is this - sedalin (sedative paste) in a bucket of food in the field. Wait for pony to eat, wait for pony to get drowsy, eh voila ! Sedalin is about £17 a tube. Then you can keep the rat in a stable till calm is restored.

You have made me think that I really should bring Jerry up tomorrow, and every other day I go down for a cuddle; he's supposed to be earning his living

 

[horsecrazy25]

You could not corner Jerry, feed him, chuck carrots at him or sit on the ground for hours by the bucket. Catch all the other horses in the field - nope.

One thing that has worked with another pony, tho is this - sedalin (sedative paste) in a bucket of food in the field. Wait for pony to eat, wait for pony to get drowsy, eh voila ! Sedalin is about £17 a tube. Then you can keep the rat in a stable till calm is restored.

You have made me think that I really should bring Jerry up tomorrow, and every other day I go down for a cuddle; he's supposed to be earning his living

lol, i think Pip would be very clever and would not eat the food as he crafty like that

Awww bless Jerry sounds as if he may be related to Pip sound so a like lol

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Your little ned is trying to tell you that he's only brought in to do things he doesn't want to do. It's up to you to show him you're the Bringer Of Nice Things! Here's how:

Day 1: allow 23 hours for this and have a piece of carrot in your pocket. Walk him down. Just follow him round and round and round and round and round and round until both of you are utterly fed up with the whole business. He will EVENTUALLY stand still. Scratch his withers for him, give him the carrot then turn round and go home.

Day 2: allow 5 hours for this. Walk him down again. Piece of carrot. When he stands still, same thing, scratch, carrot, leave.

Days 3 - 7: (or you can do 5 more goes all in the same day) pretty much the same though he should be standing still almost immediately for you, looking in an interested way for his piece of carrot. Always scratch, carrot, leave.

Next time: Scratch, carrot. Then turn away a little, sigh a huge sigh and stare at the horizon. He should stay with you. More scratching. Leave.

Next time: as before but this time take just a lead rope. Rub him with it while he has his carrot.

Next time: Put his head collar on. Walk him 10 steps. Take it off. Leave.

Next time: put head collar on. Walk him to gate. Take it off and leave.

Next time: Head collar on, walk to gate, walk OUT of gate. Stop just outside where you will have cunningly left a feed bowl with a handful of something in it. Let him eat. Scratch his withers. Talk nonsense quietly to him. Sigh and look at the horizon. Turn him back out.

Next time: bring him right in for his feed. Tie him up. Give him a lovely scratchy groom after his feed. Turn him out again.

You'll now have convinced him that you DON'T just bring him in for horrible things. Of course, sometimes you WILL bring him in to work or wait for the vet or whatever but as long as you keep him guessing by every now and then bringing him in for happy pony things then you'll have a pony that will always WANT to be caught.

 

[spike123]

the approach retreat method should work fairly well unless they are totally unhandled as in the case of one I was asked to put a halter on.In which case the only way he allowed us near was for 2 of us to literally corner him,while hubby pounced and held him still enough for me to put the halter on. Not the best method though and probably not ideal if you want to be able to catch him on a daily basis lol.
What has worked for me with horses that are just being cheeky is to keep them moving,(sort of like join up)not allowing them to graze but quietly insisting they do as you request. It's amazing how quickly they want to be caught once they realise it's easier to come to you and not be chased around.

 

[muddygreymare]

I just made a point of calmly walking after him and not making eye contact and i just repeated this until he realised i was not giving up and he would let me catch him.

This works for me too. Hope you get it sorted soon

 

[planete]

I had to do the "keep walking until you let me catch you" business once. Before giving in and standing still the horse mock charged me to try and get me to give up. Nothing serious, a shout stopped him and he gave up soon afterwards and was never any trouble again. It took two and a half hours.