cant catch horse - any ideas?

[Centyfield_Mica]

Ok Guys I need your thoughts on this.

A lady on our yard has recently bourght a lovely middle weight cob which is really sweet. The owner is sweet too. Shes had her for about a month.

At first the horse was fie to catch, would come to call etc. The horse has gradually become impossible to catch.

Ive helped her on a few occasions to catch the horse in the winter field and even though it took about 20mins we could get close enough to slide a lead rope around her neck and then slowly the headcollar. We would send her away then invite her back and she would come. She has certainly never been grabbed or hurt with this owner, I dont know about her past though.

Now she is in the summer field we cant even get close. 3 hours yesterday and we were unsuccessful. We even tried a bucket of feed and treats.

The problem is the field has around 6 other mares in (who all quite happily wanted to come to us and stand eating while we have tried to catch the said horse) and cant bring them in as they are all owned by different people.

the horse was due for shoeing yday and the owner is heartbroken about the prospect of no summer riding.

Any ideas how I can help her?

 

[Tanyajayne]

Bryony is impossible to catch when the spring grass comes through. Well by impossible I mean on my own it can take me 20 mins to hours. Now me not being the most patient of people have had to come up with a fool proof plan - just don't tell Bry, she hasn't clicked yet.

1. I either leave her in a headcollar and go in the field with treats or a lik-it and grab the headcollar while she is preoccupied with the food.

2. She is in a field with just one other horse who she has a great bond with. I catch the other horse and the Bryony comes to me to have her headcollar on as she doesn't like to be left in the field on her own. Then I just let the other horse go. Could this be possible for your friend?

 

[eml]

Unfortunately at this time of year the most cooperative horse can turn into a nightmare to catch! We spent an hour yesterday trying to persuade one that the carrots we were proffering were more attractive than the grass!

Apart from a fieldsafe headcollar I have no words of wisdom if you cannot catch them all together.

Is there any chance of getting together with other owners to agree a time everything comes in for a feed and a rest so at least the lady can then keep hers in if needed for things like farrier??

 

[Yann]

When you've tried to catch her what are you doing? Even the horriblest to catch horses will usually respond to pressure and release within an hour or two in my experience, especially if they're nice

 

[parsharainbow]

Unfortunately at this time of year the most cooperative horse can turn into a nightmare to catch!

Totally agree, one of mine is exactly like that once the grass comes through, its so frustrating

 

[incognito]

Soooo frustrating, we had a little pony who became a monster at this time of year.
In desperation I got 2/3 friends to come into the field with me, I took a long length of electric fence tape, we took an end each and walked him into a corner, when he was "trapped" in a big triangle I went in with the head coller and a treat, had no problems catching him... take heart because he got really good at it, I just used to walk in with the tape rolled up in my hand, he would see the tape, stand still and have his treat, head collar on ....job done.

 

[Peanut]

My normally easy to catch mare sometimes becomes difficult at this time of year and I do find that using NH methods work every time. As soon as you change the rules and take charge of the game by sending her away and most importantly continuing to do so without letting her stop to graze, she loses all desire to run away and is happy to be caught. Personally, I would pursue this method maybe with the help of someone who is experience in this. I find it so important to remember that horses speak body language.

 

[Centyfield_Mica]

Hello thanks for the replies,

I too suggested leaving a fieldsafe headcollar on but we have to catch her first!

Yann - At first the pressure and release worked a treat in the winter field and thats how we always caught her! This horse is EXTREMELY sensitive and I have to really lower my energy to get anywhere near her (practically sleep walk!!!). Although in the summer field the other horses dont help as when I get about 10 feet from her another horse will send her away. When watching the others they all move her around. She looks in at me (my eyes are on the ground - body language passive) and when I catch her eye to invite her in she looks like she is about to then moves off.

She isnt particularily pally with any of the others and hasnt formed a bond with any yet.


PS - your right treats are no patch on lovely new grass!
So exhausting!

 

[Yann]

How did you apply the pressure and release? When she does move off are you actively sending her on (without overdoing it of course) and then making her change direction as much as possible? The moment she stops to look at you I would drop the pressure and walk away a few steps, wait and then resume a polite approach with submissive body language in arcs. Repeat the send off if they move away and so on. Apologies if that's what you've already tried, but this has never failed to work for me with a horse that's merely deciding not to be caught as opposed to being nervous or having previous issues. It may well be a shortcoming on my part but the best I usually get is a nice stand still as opposed to any type of join up. However it does seem to give a solid result, and if the horse backslides at any point it only takes a few minutes to remind it

 

[Bobbin]

Just count your lucky stars it doesn't pretend it wants to be caught and then when it gets a meter from you turns and double barrells you like my last horse did

If Bry or Molly ever want to play the 'I don't want to be caught game' I just send them away away and away. Never let them stop. I have spent an hour sending Mol and one of her mates away untill they gave in and they will give in and probably not do it again for a while. Bry doesn't last as long so normally gives up after about 10 mins

 

[Centyfield_Mica]

Yann - Yes thats exactley what I did. At first I sent her away and continued the pressure - she was really responsive when I blocked her to change direction - the problem I had yday is that she would stop with her bum towards me about 10 feet away - in order to invite her in I needed to get to her head and looking at me so I would walk arcs around her but she was so sensitive that one move from me and she moved off again. On the occasions I could do some good arcs she looked like she wanted to join me but then another horse would get in the way or move her on - so frustrating.

I think you are absolutely right she does seem nervous of being "caught". From further investigation one of the so called knowledgable girls on our yard "grabbed" at her headcollar a few weeks ago to bring her in resulting in the horse pulling back in fright (nearly snapping the girls fingers) to which the girl yanked at her head. I was so annoyed - this wasnt even the owner it was someone who was "helping". They have obviously aggravated the situation and now alot more worlk is needed.

If we could just get her in we can start doing some work with her.
Ive been chatting with my like minded friend and we are going to bring all the other mares in (we've contacted most of the owners) for a few hours and see if we can get her in on her own on Saturday. I'll let you know how it goes!