Training methods for horses that dislike being caught

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JadeWisc

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Any ideas? My new mare reminds me of my old Shetland Charlie. She plays games when it's time to be caught. Even when I grab a grain bucket she will come in and nibble but once your hands move she moves off (just like Charlie did) I can honestly say she has been better after being here a few days so it could have been issues with getting used to the place.
I really hope it wears off soon because I cannot STAND this quality in a horse.

My method recently has been to show her that being brought in does not always mean work. I have taken her from her temp holding area ( a roundpen with no grass) when I catch her and been walking her out to graze so that she thinks sometimes being caught = good

Do you think that is like giving a whiny kid candy or is that an effective method?

Any other advice or ideas appreciated as I will not tolerate this from her.

I for sure want it under control before she is let out in the big field this spring


thanks in advance
 
I've had a couple who have come here doing this. I've always used the sending away method and it works in a reasonably short time and tends to filter into their heads for the long-term.
 
Sending away method? Do you mean to the farm down the road where the hay is not so good?
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Well the way I have been catching her is by making her run around the round pen for a good long while after she makes me mad from about 10 minutes of attempting to put the lead on her . She eventually tires and I get her, but I will not keep this up for all of eternity.
 
LOL!!
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Ah you have to wait till the pony accepts and turns in to you. You mustn't go to them before they are ready otherwise you are achieving nothing.
 
I was doing that. I would even let her come up to me but as soon as I would try and put the lead on....then.....gone!......
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It is getting better. I can tell by this mares training that whomever had her before meant business and perhpas she wants a vacation
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Once she is bridled and saddled she will not move a muscle until given a cue and then she responds instantly.

I suppose I am wondering if my rewarding her with grazing and cuddles when caught and not always working her when I get her is counter productive to respect?

Someone put alot of effort into her and I would hate to ruin her
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Also you mustn't work out of anger!The idea is to let the pony catch you and bribery and tricks don't work they aren't stupid
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Well I never ever use treats or edible bribes so my answer would be an across the board resounding "No! Don't feed treats" regardless of what you are asking of her. In my experience I have found that treats or feed produce inconsistent results and actually confuse the issue rather than help...

You have to watch for her signals; when she makes the accepting signals then it's time to go to her, if she runs off when you go to her, then she is not ready and therefore requires you to gently send her away again. It does work but it takes a week or so to be fully integrated into their mindset. You almost need to retrain their mind.
 
Any advice for a horse that does not do the "sending away" method, but instead will rear at you, bite you (if she manages to get close enough) and kick you?? She doesn't respect me at all and I am not confident enough with her to really stand up to her.
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Well you won't like my advice because I would suggest selling to someone whose space the horse does respect. People are walking a very fine line if their horses don't respect them - often it is an accident waiting to happen and doesn't do the owner or the horse any good in the longrun.
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Nope selling is definately not an option
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Because I love her too much when she is in. The thing that bugs me is that she gives in after a while, but she isn't consistent in what it takes to catch her. Sometimes she will stand to be caught, others she will do anything she can not to be caught, ah well suppose thats horses.
 
I use a 'walk the horse down' method. Basically, you walk up to the horse and if they move off, you follow them quietly - no talking. You keep following until finally they stop, when they stop you praise them, if they move off again, you follow them quietly again. Don't let them eat grass, if they do, do what you can to stop them even if it means chasing them and once they are on the move again, you start following them again. Eventually (could take 15mins or 1hr! ) they give in and will stop and let you approach them. When you are close enough to touch them, you praise them, give them a pat and walk away without catching them or attaching a leadrope. Leave them alone for 20 - 30 mins and then you go in and do it all over again. You will find that the time it takes for them to stop will graually shorten.

It takes patience, a lot of time (can take an hour or more for some horses to give in!) and you can't lost your temper. Praise only when they stop and keep quiet when you are on the move. Don't let them eat grass while you are walking them down (although I allow them to drink!).

Wishing you good luck - I know how frustrating it can be! I hope it helps
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[ QUOTE ]
Any advice for a horse that does not do the "sending away" method, but instead will rear at you, bite you (if she manages to get close enough) and kick you?? She doesn't respect me at all and I am not confident enough with her to really stand up to her.
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[/ QUOTE ]

Take a lunge whip with you. You need them to understand that you aren't going to back down and having a lunge whip to crack in the air should send that message. Only downside is that it might screw up your lunging. I now don't use a whip to lunge daisy, just the end of the rope because she sees the whip and thinks she has done something naughty
 
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