Tips for dummy trying to catch naughty gelding!

LaurenM

LaurenM

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 July 2009
Messages
1,839
Location
South Wales
Visit site
As per the title - My boy has just been turned out 24/7 and he's loving it so much that he doesnt want to come back in for dinner!

Suggestions please as I'm currently relying on friend bringing her mare in who is his best friend just so that he will follow.

Did manage to get a headcollar on him tonight but he still tanked off twice. I've even hidden behind a pony to sneak up on him... :(
 
I am an expert at this. I had a NF gelding that was a nightmare to catch, so I sold him last year for 500.00 to a woman with small paddocks (hes very happy and so is she).
BUT, I tried the following. Go armed with a carrot, go near, and then bend down to look at a really interesting daisy. As horse comes over (they do they are inquisitive) break carrot in two, stand up and take a bite. Crunch really loud and take one step away. Horse will then find carrot irresitable and allow you to put headcollar on for said reward.
its a real pain, good luck!!xx
 
We have a couple like this at work!!
I have a LOT of hi-fi nuts in my pocket when I go to the field (has to be something that wont harm the laminitics if they catch on that I have food and decide to mug me!).
I lure them into a false sense of security while they munch from my hand (it can be up to 3 handfulls before I get a headcollar on!) I also hide the head collar lol.

If they irritate me enough and they are the last out in a small paddock I will do a little bit of join up with them. Basically sending them away from me untill they play ball and will happily walk alongside me without even having the headcollar on.

Good luck!! I know how horrible it can be!
 
You're going to laugh at this and find it completely insane; but my friend swears by it! Bring in all the other horses so they're left on their own in the field, then get down on all fours, hiding the head collar and sort of waddle towards the gate, and they follow! Seriously! Then just quickly grab ahold of his mane, and slip the head collar on. Good luck! xx
 
Carrots/Food doesn't work!

I tried sending him away but he's out with 22 other horses (over five fields) and the others get grumpy if he's running around.

I've ignored him / sat in field / fussed over his friends and nothing bothers him!

Got my friend coming up on Sunday to teach me a few tricks though!
 
Does he really need dinner? I had a mare who was difficult to catch and bought one of the field safe head collars so i could leave it on while she was out, something to get hold of if you can get near enough!
 
No doesn't need dinner but it's his first summer at the yard so I figured he should be easier to catch if he only thinks he's coming in for food. That way when I want to ride he'll be easier to catch!

After hiding behind a 12 hh pony, crawling would be less embarrassing haha!
 
Why not for a few days just take him some carrots and apples, don't try and catch him, make a fuss and try and groom him, after awhile just slip on headcollar give an apple or carrot and take off again. that way he will come to you and not worry about headcollar being put on. and does he really need a meal, sounds like he's eating what he needs.:)
 
VioletStripe said:
You're going to laugh at this and find it completely insane; but my friend swears by it! Bring in all the other horses so they're left on their own in the field, then get down on all fours, hiding the head collar and sort of waddle towards the gate, and they follow! Seriously! Then just quickly grab ahold of his mane, and slip the head collar on. Good luck! xx
Click to expand...

I will NOT be trying this out!!!!

Me waddling about on all fours would mentally scar anyone for life, horse or human!!
 
Sounds like good advice Johnrobert. I was fussing him after getting him to the stable but it would make more sense to do it in the field! He's covered in wounds from settling in with the new herd (he went from herd of 9 to 23 - same yard though they all just go out together over summer). Makes me feel like a bad mum if i'm not nursing them but I know he'll live!

Will give fussing in the field a go!
 
Can you get any where near him? My old horse didnt like the headcoller thats whenhe would run away so i used to catch him in a rope halter (no distinctive headcoller jingling!!). I would go in to the field with halter over/around me he loved his bum being scratched so would go for the itchy spot give him some mints/carrots/custard creams anything tasty then chuck rope over his neck and he would be fine then. Is it just because the grass is comming through now?
 
Yes Gleek and up until 3 days ago he was out in the day and in at night. They are all out 24/7 now.

I got closer to him tonight (got headcollar on) but he tanked off afterwards. I'm pretty sure I only managed to get it on because he stopped to poo and he hates walking whilst doing it!

I've dropped the headcollar on the ground the night before and tried fussing but he wouldn't let me near him. He knows who I am though - I've only had him since Feb.

I don't know if the fact that he's been out 24/7 for 5 years on and off previous to me. His last owner battled to get him in a stable when she first got him but he's really settled in his new home - I think he's just testing!
 
I would maybe try a rope halter might stop him tanking when you have got him. My old horse also did this but the rope halter stopped it. Maybe as johnrobert says bit of fussing scratching grooming in the field then try and get him from there
 
Maybe you could try putting him in a field on his own, leaving him for 5mins, then trying to catch him. That way you could teach him the being caught routine without the distraction of his friends. However he may revert to not wanting to be caught when he is back in his field.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top