H&C

13
Aug
2010

1 Comments

Help! I can't catch my horse!

Spending time with your horse petting him can encourage him to become easier to catch

The question

"Hi, our nine-year-old Apaloosa has suddenly decided that he does not want to be caught. He won't come near us - even for a feed bucket or treat and just gallops off the minute we get near to him. We have had to corner him with a lunge line but once he is in a corner he stands like a lamb and will let you put on his head collar and lead rope. When he has been caught he is a total angel doesn't try to pull away or escape and he is working really well under saddle. We have kept him in since last week as it took over an hour and a half to catch him. He is even being funny about being caught when we let him have a turn out in our indoor arena for a roll. Can you give us any tips on how to catch him? Regards, Kirsty and Lesley."

The answer

H&C blogger and proprietor of Contessa Riding Centre Tina Layton-Elliott BHSI replies: "Dear Kirsty and Lesley, sorry to hear about your problem, I know how frustrating it can be when a horse will not be caught. Without knowing the exact circumstances it can be difficult to know the reason, but here are a few suggestions.

Why does he not want to be caught?

Sometimes you need to take a step back and think, why does he not want to be caught? Does your horse live out 24/7 and therefore relate being caught to work/exercise? Do you ever bring him in just to fuss over him/groom him, so that he has a nice experience away from the field?

Are all his friends in the field, so you are bringing him away from his companions? Are you are to bring him in with another horse so he is not in by himself or maybe he will be more inclined to be caught if his field companions are brought in first.

The answer

Tips to try

You could try keeping a head collar on him to make it easier to catch him when close. Just make sure it is a safe material and does not cause him any discomfort.

You could try a smaller paddock or a starvation paddock so that he will be more willing to come in for feed.

Think about the body language you are using around and perhaps use some horse psychology on him. Sometimes see if you can walk up, pat him and then walk again, sometimes with a head collar and sometimes not. You could also try some natural horsemanship/joining up if there is an expert local to you that could help.

Hope this helps.

Tina."