Using treats to catch?

[Rebecca84]

I’m having problems catching my horse, this was something her previous owners warned me about but I assumed I could manage as I was previously always able to catch my friends runaway.

She will be caught eventually but it can take up to an hour. I’ve always been against using treats for this as they get reliant on it, but this morning I gave in - it worked

Does anyone else use treats to catch? Is it really so bad?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Do what you have to do!! I couldn't stand it if it took me an hour to catch each time. Treats all the way!

 

[Chinchilla]

It really isn't bad to do imho; particularly if you're catching to ride/work - not sure it's fair to expect the horse to come in for that without an incentive actually.

I've found, though, that rather than become reliant on it they'll seek you out when they see you with a headcollar even if you don't have a treat, but that might depend on the horse.
I used to be anti using treats as well, but my mare is a shit to catch when she's in season so I started taking a little handful of chaff out for her and she's good even when in season now.

 

[greenbean10]

I normally use treats to catch mine, and they are always easy to catch - probably because they think I have treats!

They also get a bit of chaff when they come in as an added incentive and I've never had any problems catching any of them. If it makes life a bit easier for you I'd go for it.

 

[Winters100]

When I bought my gelding the seller's groom told me that he was "impossible" to catch. I simply took some time to visit him in the paddock, sometimes give a treat then let him go again, sometimes bring him in for food and then put him back out. The problem was very quickly resolved and now he is caught easily, treat or not. Of course I still from time to time go just to give something, and evidently he is an optimist, because he always comes to check.

 

[Snow Falcon]

Life is too short to spend hours trying to catch a reluctant animal. Do you ride every time you bring in from the field? If so, as previous poster has suggested, just catch, bring in, fuss then put out again. Make being caught a pleasant experience.

 

[Bernster]

Whatever works. Mine usually waits for me to get him but in the new yard he actually comes over most of the time, which is fab, but I do take a few treats to help remind him he doesn’t mind being caught!

 

[Berpisc]

I have used the same approach to Winters, and also found this works well. Always take the headcollar in with you as well (some horses will spot the times when you have one with you. What you have to watch out for is that the horse does not learn to get the treat off you and bog off. So yes, use with care and be aware of other horses if the horse is in with others.

 

[Rebecca84]

Thanks everyone, I feel reassured about using treats now!

 

[B.F.G]

One of mine gets a treat when caught but he always walks up to the gate when he sees me walking to the field. The other one will have a treat if he comes up to me or even makes an attempt to come to me, if he walks away then he gets nothing until we are out of the gate.

 

[Jenko109]

I always give a treat and always give a feed (albeit absolutely miniscule at this time of year)

 

[Sir barnaby]

I always catch with a carrot, in a morning I give a small breakfast if I plan to ride I put a headcollar on then do my jobs. As soon as I’m ready take a carrot and always catch with no problem. I also turn out with a carrot, that way the horses always wait for their carrot before they rush off to eat grass.

 

[Griffin]

I always catch with a carrot, in a morning I give a small breakfast if I plan to ride I put a headcollar on then do my jobs. As soon as I’m ready take a carrot and always catch with no problem. I also turn out with a carrot, that way the horses always wait for their carrot before they rush off to eat grass.

I do the same, it just makes them a bit calmer about being turned out.

OP, I use treats all the time to reward good behaviour and always feed something when they come in, even if it's just a pile of nice hay and a carrot. You don't have to use sugar filled treats either, there are plenty of low sugar ones about now.

 

[doodle]

Robin gets a treat when he comes up to me and then a treat once headcollor is on. I’m lazy and if it means he walks up to me rather than me trudging up the field then that suits me!

 

[Cowpony]

Yes I always give a treat to mine. Longest she went without allowing herself to be caught was 5 weeks, so an hour is nothing! I also take a small feed and feed her just outside the gate, whether she's coming in or going straight out again. She'll now come when I call, but whether that will continue in the spring when hormones are high remains to be seen. As soon as she starts getting tricky she comes in and has individual turnout until the hormones subside again.

 

[BSL2]

Treats and a field safe head collar (proper break away field safe, not leather). Helps with our crafty mare.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I have never had any trouble catching my horses, I have always used treats to reward them for coming to me - why wouldn't you?

 

[Surbie]

I have never had any trouble catching my horses, I have always used treats to reward them for coming to me - why wouldn't you?

This, absolutely. Mine is easy to catch but he still gets a bit of carrot for ambling up to me, and breakfast at the yard. I want him to think it's a nice thing to do.

 

[AutumnDays]

I use treats to catch mine, or just give her one when she comes up to me even if I don't want to bring her in. That's now evolved to her coming to call, with or without treats available. Do what you have to do to make life easier and more pleasant!

 

[mini_b]

When I moved to new yard I used to use treats to catch, then a bit of chaff to come into. I did the “not coming in to work - just for fuss and feeds”

I now don’t use treats to catch as he mugs everyone and is a bit rough/nippy, but he always gets something in his corner feeder to come into. A little surprise like carrots, apple or chaff.

He knows he’s getting the treat back at the yard so I kind of weaned him off the hand fed ones.

if your horse doesn’t want to be caught, it is so frustrating. Do what you gotta do!

 

[milliepops]

another who is happy to use treats. my gang are all good to catch, but I always have something in my pocket and deploy strategically if I need to. Current field is accessed via slip rails and I am teaching them to stand nicely together while I open the rail, so I catch each one and then we stand by the rail and have a carrot each

I also do the same at turnout time. it means they concentrate on me instead of getting excited about going off to freedom.

 

[scruffyponies]

I prefer to catch without. We only catch to ride, and I like knowing that they WANT to come for a ride. That said, if we have an iffy one, I will use treats to get them used to catching being a positive experience, and do it a few times without riding as described above. Currently only need to treat one. Could probably catch him without now, but he is still settling in, so I won't break the bargain we have made.

What I insist on, though, is that the head collar is actually ON before the treat is fed. Some ponies are crafty little sods!

 

[Nudibranch]

A tiny feed to catch. One of mine would come over regardless but the other is a crafty pony with the appetite of a pig, so it's necessary. I've always done it. Means you have horses who come to call and are easy to catch. I haven't got time to mess about. I don't treat for anything else, so they don't mug me or expect it any other time.

 

[canteron]

But remember to be progressive, ie first giving a treat before you put the head collar on and then once you have it on - and then progress slowly so you only give the treat when you get to the yard.
But most importantly occasionally catch your horse, give it a scratch, then release!!! Make it pleasurable for you both?

 

[Carrottom]

With my occasionally tricky one it is one pony nut if he walks up to me, two pony nuts when the head collar is on and three more if he walks to the gate nicely.
The other two boys don't get anything as one was a bit nippy when he first arrived due to his previous keeper continuously treating by hand.

 

[Boulty]

The pony I had as a teenager could be an absolute nightmare to catch with or without food... I have always used bribery since even on good to catch horses as I have no wish to play games in the field for hours & figure it doesn't hurt to create good habits rather than bad! (Wellll when I say "good" the Welsh definitely had it in him to decide he'd rather not if he was pissed off with me. He also had it in him to stop dead mid-gallop to accept a carrot!)

 

[JJS]

I have never had any trouble catching my horses, I have always used treats to reward them for coming to me - why wouldn't you?

This is my mentality too. Mine get a treat every day, and it makes my life so much easier! One shout, and all three coming running.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

As long as you’re not shaking a bucket in a herd, I don’t see why not. Mine comes to call but can be a little twerp if not given something as I put on the headcollar. He’ll usually come out of the gate and stand for this, handy trick I taught him post accident. Going into the field is still nerve wracking.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Mine come to call. Treats all the way. Why not? I don't even need to give a treat every time... they're willing to risk it for a (possible) biscuit. Also they're generally hungry and know there might be a haynet available in the barn. I have more trouble not catching them to be honest!

 

[tiahatti]

I always take a treat, it hasn't made mine try and nip or anything adverse. Do what you need to do.