Catching Problems - Any Advice? [Archive]

hoofhearted

31st Jul 2005, 09:51 AM

Hi, have just taken a pony on a months trial - I've got to know her owner fairly well. Haven't had a chance to ride her yet as she is way overdue for shoeing and the farrier isn't able to come out till Friday. So have been spending time just trying to get to know her, do a bit of leading work with her etc.

One thing I'm having a problem with is catching her. You can approach her fine in the field unless you have a headcollar with you and then she moves away. I'm a bit wary because she turns her bum on you and a couple of times she has cantered off and kicked out as she goes, although I don't think she means to connect (hope not anyway!). I'm not sure how I should deal with this and I do find it a bit intimidating - any advice please?

BTW - her owner didn't have any problems catching but then she was kept on her own before and she always caught her with food.

Yann

31st Jul 2005, 12:21 PM

My horse could only be caught with a bucket before she came to us, and even now is very choosy who she'll allow to collar her. If this pony is testing you or being cheeky, rather than being nervous of people in general, then there are simple methods that can be used to cure it. Kelly Marks has a really good booklet on the subject called Catching Horses Made Easy which might be worth looking at.

In short there are various ways to help the situation.

1. Make the result of being caught as pleasant as possible ie don't always catch to ride, but you aren't!
2. Always approach the horse without making eye contact, with your head down and shoulders rounded. Avoid standing square on to the horse's line of vision.
3. Always approach the horse in a slow and relaxed walk, think relaxed and let a few sighs off as you approach.
4. Approach the horse in decreasing arcs in front - if 12 o'clock is the horse's head, arc between 9 and 3 and back again, slowly making the arc smaller. Don't use 12 o'clock or between 3 and 9 via 6 - the horse is programmed to flee a threat there, that's where a lion would attack:D
5. If the horse suddenly puts its head up and gives you it's full attention, or looks tempted to run off, stop your approach and take a couple of steps away.
6. If you get close enough to touch the horse, start by stroking its shoulder, and then work your way up its neck to its face and poll before thinking about putting the headcollar on.
7. Take your time and don't be tempted to rush at any stage.
8. If you give a treat, give it after the heacollar is on.

It's surprising how effective and how much difference some of these things can make, especially the eye contact. If the horse is still clearing off then you can try sending it off more, especially if it's striking out. Make the running off your game, not the horses, square up to it, look it in the eye (all the opposite things to those above) and keep them moving as much and as fast as you can. Eventually they'll start to get fed up and stop and look directly at you. When this happens take a couple of steps back, revert to soft body language and give them a moment. Start the polite approach again. If the horse moves off, switch back to aggressive mode, after a few false starts the horse will usually find something to be fascinated by in the next field and allow you to catch it without a care in the world.

This worked a treat with my horse and a few others I've done it with:)