problem mare

[herondell]

i had my new mare come today she is a bit nervous i let her settle a bit then went back a bit later to try and catch her but she would not come near the only time she did but not for long when i had a bucket of feed then when i went to move so i called try and get the head coller on her she ran off and thats how it went each time i tryed,she was handled about a year ago but then she was put in a field and had hardly any contact with people,should i let her settle a bit more before i try again and what is the best way to get her to trust me and she is in foal due to drop in june so i want to be able to get her to come to me before then,any advice would be a great help,i dont know if anyone else has had this with a new horse or pony.

[coss]

take your time and be patient. she's not ready for a headcollar yet. i would just take her a bucket of feed out daily, put it on the ground and stand back and let her eat for a couple of days, gradually stand closer to the bucket whilst she's eating but always back off if she does. once you can stand/sit next to her whilst she eats you could try holding the bucket and gradually start stroking her shoulder and move up to the head. never rush anything even though you have a time limit. then you can start carrying a head collar and stroking her with it until you can put it on and you can work without a bucket. may be try grooming too.
that is what i think would help but i have not done it myself in practice.

my RI did work like this with a 12.2 gelding and it took a week for him to wait for her at the gate of the field.

[Yann]

My horse was bad to catch when I got her but it was purely habit on her part rather than any nervousness, and the method I used to make her catchable wouldn't be appropriate from the sound of it. In the first instance I wouldn't try to catch her at all, just spend time in the field with her doing nothing so she gets used to having you around. She may even become curious and approach you, if so maybe try and give her a treat perhaps but don't do anything more. Make sure you don't look her in the eye and keep your body language soft (rounded shoulders, lowered head, very relaxed movements).

If you do approach her, make sure it's from ahead of her shoulder but not straight on, decreasing semicircles are best as they will help build her tolerance. Any time she stops and looks at you stop and take a few steps away in reward. If you are able to get in close enough to touch her don't go in for the kill with the headcollar, just begin with a stroke on the shoulder and build from there until she's happy to have her face and ears touched. Walk away in reward every time you make some progress, that includes putting on and taking off the headcollar the first few times.

If you find you aren't making headway then professional help might be useful, if you're in Kent you could always try Suzanne Marshall, her details are at http://www.kellymarks.co.uk/content.asp?id=8&doc=66

[mayoguinness]

Mayo was like this when I first got him, so I just used to chill in the field with him for a while, give him a few carrots and be with him, then I used to just put a rope round his neck and lead him round the field, then with the halter, then take him out for maybe 10 mins or so, just gradually I gained his trust:)

[herondell]

the mare lets me get near her now i first took my other horses rug off gave him a hug then the pony after them i walked up to the mare she started to walk to me i gave her a stroke on the face looked at her cut on her nose she didnt like that so she walked off waited a while went back slowly talking to her stroked her face again then her neck and back and i picked her leg up and she was fine,i have one her trust,i think she just needed a little time to settle now i can give her some one to one which she has not had for a year and a half,thanks everyone for your advice.

[coss]

:) thats good news, don't rush the head collar but you have made real progress well done!

[hamannfieldstab]

You should read what I wrote in my Poe Story... it is posted in the cafe area....

Mark

[herondell]

i will have a read, i have the head coller on her she walks up to me when i get there,when im poo picking she gets closer and closer,i can walk up to her and stroke her still nervous of strange noises