The uncatchable shetland

kerrieberry2

kerrieberry2

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I got my shetland ponies about 6 weeks ago, I knew the gelding was hard to catch, he's very nervous, so I have managed to catch him once in 6 weeks, my cornering him off, which I don't want to do, but I think I might have now found away to his heart.

So I've been getting him to come closer to be by following a trail of apple then eventually getting it out of my hand, but he's still very jumpy!

Then yesterday, I was walking along the lane eating a Giant Snack a Jack and he came powering over to me, not scared at all, so I gave him a bit and he loved it! SALT AND VINEGAR!!!!! who'd have thought it! then today the same thing, with the BBQ ones! so tomorrow might be the 2nd day that I can catch him if this is working!

but honestly, what a strange thing for a pony to like!!
 
Probably similar to a salt lick! At least the weather is better to keep practicing the catching. Food is always a good association! Good luck
 
Does he have a headcollar on,so you just want to grab him? or do you want to teach him to be caught etc?

I am a self confessed expert lol... we had a wild cob baby who took 3 mths to halter so believe me we tried everything.

Rule 1 ) Don't try to trick them
Rule 2) Time
Rule 3) Don't try to catch them, let them catch you
Rule 4) When you gain their trust and they are used to being stroked use a leadrope and get them used to being touched with it, then gradually make a halter out of it.

Good luck X

sorry read you post properly now.. you can catch him,it's just hit and miss.... erm I would certainly not try to grab, but keep up the reward if the pony comes to you
 
yeh I don't want to just grab him or corner him, which is how he's always been caught in the past, I defo want to try and get him to feel comfy with me first! I've not tried to catch him since the last time, I'm just trying to get him to come to me, so hopefully eating snack a jacks will help that haha, and an excuse for me to eat them as I love them hehe!
 
I have a miniature (God help me) who was awful to catch, because he was terrified of people especially strangers. I'm afraid I just made sure he was caught each time, come hell or high water, rope thrown round neck and me dragged across field :mad:

Each time he now comes in from the field he is fed a handful of nuts in a bucket. He's slowly learnt that coming in doesn't always equal bad things like being stabled away from his friends or work, sometimes he just comes in for love and a small feed. He is turned out with others that are excellent to catch, so he learns by example. He's easier to catch if you send a child in for him :rolleyes:

He's now used by the RDA for their smallest children in wheelchairs to handle. He just stands for them and doesn't feel intimidated or scared at all :):)
 
He's the coloured.

Winchester-20120606-00201.jpg
 
Devonshire dumpling said:
Does he have a headcollar on,so you just want to grab him? or do you want to teach him to be caught etc?

I am a self confessed expert lol... we had a wild cob baby who took 3 mths to halter so believe me we tried everything.

Rule 1 ) Don't try to trick them
Rule 2) Time
Rule 3) Don't try to catch them, let them catch you
Rule 4) When you gain their trust and they are used to being stroked use a leadrope and get them used to being touched with it, then gradually make a halter out of it.

Good luck X

sorry read you post properly now.. you can catch him,it's just hit and miss.... erm I would certainly not try to grab, but keep up the reward if the pony comes to you
Click to expand...

So agreed.

You trick our two that are hard to catch and you'll be unable to catch them again for a number of days. They take huge offence to it. Patience is key to getting there everytime and not going backwards!

Pan
 
Fond memory of overheard conversation between next door neighbour and his child:

"Daaaad. I can't catch Snowy. What can I do?"
"Well, not go in to the field in your riding hat and carrying a stick for a start!!"
 
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