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| Please someone tell me how to fix hard to catch horses!!
My gelding was always the first one to run up to you, you could holler in a 30 acre pasture and he'd come running! I turned him out with a new horse to the farm (she runs) and now 2 weeks later, my gelding is running.
He's NEVER done this before. and by god it is SOOOOO annoying.
how do i fix it? lately hes been just walking away to the very end of the pasture and stopping but every now and then he'll run. He's been moved to our smallest pasture, maybe an acre. by himself. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
 
| Sale them....
Thats always been my solution 
I can't stand one that won't come when called or stand to be caught. I give lots of TLC and treats and if they don't love me after I spend quality time (meaning catching them to be loved on, therapy time, or feed) then they can hit the road.
BUT since this is a new thing you may want to look for soreness issues. Are you only catching him up when you want to work him? I wouldn't come either if that was the case LOL | |
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| astreakinchic - 2017-02-06 8:11 AM
Sale them....
Thats always been my solution
I can't stand one that won't come when called or stand to be caught. I give lots of TLC and treats and if they don't love me after I spend quality time (meaning catching them to be loved on, therapy time, or feed ) then they can hit the road.
BUT since this is a new thing you may want to look for soreness issues. Are you only catching him up when you want to work him? I wouldn't come either if that was the case LOL
LOL!
Normally i would totally agree. Mine dont have my zip code very long anyways, but i really do like this gelding so im willing to put up with it a while longer to see if it works itself out. Our old house, the barn was hooked to his pasture so, if anything he was always caught back then to be rode.
Now, at the new house he has to be caught to do anything, feed, trailer etc. And even when we first moved he was fine, always came when i called, whether it been feeding time, or riding time. but literally after a week and a half with that mare who runs, hes running. so i dont think its that, because he doesnt know if hes being caught to be rode, fed, trailered, etc.
Another note, he just went to the vet not even a month ago before our season starts.
Also.. i do believe he is treating this as a game, like he laughs as i try to catch him. running around with his tail up, snorting, all that good stuff.
Edited by Barrelhorsehelp1 2017-02-06 8:30 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | I took some baling twine one afternoon and repeatedly caught a mare, gave her a bite of feed and turned her loose for about 2 hours. After that she came right up to me to be caught. Even met me at the fence every day.
I waded the twine in my hand and walked out to her like I was just going to give her some scratches. Got my arms around her neck and pulled the twine around. After three or four times of doing that I switched to the halter. It worked really well for her. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 380
| My mare did this recently. She usually comes when called and the best solution is to make them run until they beg to stop. But her issue was caused by all of the ice. She just did not want to walk on it to get to the barn. Can't blame her, it was awful. I put front shoes on her and she stopped avoiding people catching her. Now that the ice is gone she is back to happily walking up making happy nicker noises.
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| SloRide - 2017-02-06 8:36 AM
My mare did this recently. She usually comes when called and the best solution is to make them run until they beg to stop. But her issue was caused by all of the ice. She just did not want to walk on it to get to the barn. Can't blame her, it was awful. I put front shoes on her and she stopped avoiding people catching her. Now that the ice is gone she is back to happily walking up making happy nicker noises.
The last two days thats what ive been doing, chasing him with the golf cart (i couldnt run and keep up with him in this big of a pasture) and whens sweating and foming he FINALLY stops. Then i still ride him. (this is what i was told to do by a couple people) granted, he didnt run last night when i had to catch him to bring to the barn but i left a break away halter with a thin lead on him.
I dont want to have to chase him to a sweat just to ride, and i sure dont wanna have to keep a halter on him 24-7 but these pastures are to big and i cant chase him for hours.
its something he JUST started doing like maybe been doing it a week and a half now.
Should when i chase him down ride him?
my game plan was when he finally came to me or didnt run i was gonna bring him out give him some grain and cookies and just a good grooming and NOT ride at all! | |
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 Half-Eaten Cookies
Posts: 2076
Location: Fort Worth / Springtown | I have a pony who was CURED after I watched a segment of Julie Goodnight on a DVD trial that AQHA sent out. I even helped a little girl with the method. I gleaned most from Julie and in another tactic that I gleaned from someone else for this very hard to catch pony.
Julie explained some of the different personalities and reasons they do this (in your case, a game). You can google some of her explanations, or find a DVD, to learn a little more detail and see it in action with a horse that sometimes would take 2 hours to catch...and during the video went down to a very small amount of time.
Some key points - Don't look in their eye, look at their shoulder. Have your demeanor say, "I'm going to catch you, even if it takes all day." If they stop or turn their head toward you a little, take the pressure away (you've got to be quick about seeing the positive signs they are giving you), by turning a way, walking off a few steps, doodling with your foot in the ground, casually begin to approach them again - not square in your shoulders, but slightly turned. If they start to move away, you encourage them to go, like it was your idea, not theirs. Sometimes, keep them going even when they stop - you are in charge, but also they realize it is more work to do it their way. Our pony was really hot and sweaty the first time - I had him in an acre pasture, his circles around me got smaller as he tired. Julie doesn't recommend this "training" in a small round pen, she wants you to give them some space....
Nowadays, our pony might even try to walk away at first, but he quickly stops and turns towards me, like he remembers what happened the few other times and that it's no use. Of course he gets lots of Nicker Makers - all my horses do, but if they are in pain, that's not enough, so then you do try to address all the reasons they might be doing this, of course.
Edited by txbredbr 2017-02-06 10:21 AM
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I would separate the two horses, chances your problem may be solved.
Horses are herd animals, the mare is probably the alpha, when she runs he follows.
As for chasing with a cart, I would stop this Immediately. Had a horse that was chased in with a quad all the time before I got him, he was afraid of quads so much if there was a quad in the arena it would affect his run. If I was riding on the trails he would become fearful. We tried to desensitize, and it never worked.
John Lyons, and Ray Hunt both preach you chase the horse, you need to be on equal ground with the horse, and you cannot switch out people. You need to chase them till they put their head down lick their lips, stop chasing when they do this, Pat Parrelli has some good points too, never walk in a straight line up to a horse, always half circles, even resting a leg show the horse you are relaxed.
All three have videos, they are good watching. | |
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Half-Eaten Cookies
Posts: 2076
Location: Fort Worth / Springtown | cheryl makofka - 2017-02-06 9:56 AM I would separate the two horses, chances your problem may be solved. Horses are herd animals, the mare is probably the alpha, when she runs he follows. As for chasing with a cart, I would stop this Immediately. Had a horse that was chased in with a quad all the time before I got him, he was afraid of quads so much if there was a quad in the arena it would affect his run. If I was riding on the trails he would become fearful. We tried to desensitize, and it never worked. John Lyons, and Ray Hunt both preach you chase the horse, you need to be on equal ground with the horse, and you cannot switch out people. You need to chase them till they put their head down lick their lips, stop chasing when they do this, Pat Parrelli has some good points too, never walk in a straight line up to a horse, always half circles, even resting a leg show the horse you are relaxed. All three have videos, they are good watching.
That is a very good point about the wheels - I never have them, so no experience, and no knowledge.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1163
Location: Sapulpa, OK | set up a round pen to feed them in. Feed them in it everyday and close the gate each time you feed for a few days. They will come into the pen to be fed.
?I always reward good behavior, so if they come up to be caught, they get treats, alfalfa etc. They will run over you to get caught....lol
Nothing worse than a horse that won't be caught..... | |
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 Mouhahaha
Posts: 1786
Location: British Columbia | I have one that is awful, I set up multiple 24 x 20 pens and keep everyone on a routine now. Feeding times are in the pens am, lunch and pm. Now I just make sure to catch her or keep her closed in one of those pens if I know I'm using her that day.
It was an expensive solution but it worked. As far as cracking the habit, I don't see that happening. Those littler twerps sure like hold onto that one.  | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 380
| Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2017-02-06 9:22 AM
SloRide - 2017-02-06 8:36 AM
My mare did this recently. She usually comes when called and the best solution is to make them run until they beg to stop. But her issue was caused by all of the ice. She just did not want to walk on it to get to the barn. Can't blame her, it was awful. I put front shoes on her and she stopped avoiding people catching her. Now that the ice is gone she is back to happily walking up making happy nicker noises.
The last two days thats what ive been doing, chasing him with the golf cart (i couldnt run and keep up with him in this big of a pasture ) and whens sweating and foming he FINALLY stops. Then i still ride him. (this is what i was told to do by a couple people ) granted, he didnt run last night when i had to catch him to bring to the barn but i left a break away halter with a thin lead on him.
I dont want to have to chase him to a sweat just to ride, and i sure dont wanna have to keep a halter on him 24-7 but these pastures are to big and i cant chase him for hours.
its something he JUST started doing like maybe been doing it a week and a half now.
Should when i chase him down ride him?
my game plan was when he finally came to me or didnt run i was gonna bring him out give him some grain and cookies and just a good grooming and NOT ride at all!
I would ride if I had to, but sometimes just catch and release with praise for good behavior. Someone mentioned separating him. That would help. Horses can get heard bound and that can make them hard to catch too. | |
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| cheryl makofka - 2017-02-06 9:56 AM I would separate the two horses, chances your problem may be solved. Horses are herd animals, the mare is probably the alpha, when she runs he follows. As for chasing with a cart, I would stop this Immediately. Had a horse that was chased in with a quad all the time before I got him, he was afraid of quads so much if there was a quad in the arena it would affect his run. If I was riding on the trails he would become fearful. We tried to desensitize, and it never worked. John Lyons, and Ray Hunt both preach you chase the horse, you need to be on equal ground with the horse, and you cannot switch out people. You need to chase them till they put their head down lick their lips, stop chasing when they do this, Pat Parrelli has some good points too, never walk in a straight line up to a horse, always half circles, even resting a leg show the horse you are relaxed. All three have videos, they are good watching.
This is OP..
He is seperated, has been for about 2 and half weeks now. Sense the running started. There is another horse acorss in the next pasture he can see but not touch or bump noses with etc.
So far he hasnt ran from me while turned out alone, besides once. Where i had to corner him with a friend and caught him. Otherwise, he just walks away to end of the pasture, stops and lets me catch him. But i kept a breakaway halter on 24-7 with a line line to catch. i know without it on, he'll run.
As far as chasing him with the golf cart, hes fine. i catch him and pony him with the golf cart to the barn lol i just cant chase after him on foot, theres no way. Even with 1 or 2 more poeple to help. | |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| Mine get caught morning and night to eat. you don't get caught, you don"t eat. They learn pretty fast. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | Good round pen work and reminding him that you are boss. Make him follow you. Reward him with something he likes!
It only took one good, one hour chase on the 4 wheeler for my guy to never run from me again. In the middle of a very HOT Georgia summer he decided he didnt want to be caught. So he was chased! Stopped several times to let him think about it but he was relentless lol. After an hour had passed he finally let me catch him. He went straight to the patience poll for a few hours. That was probably 5 or 6 years ago now and hes never ran since! lol. Now I whistle and hes the first to meet you at the gate out of a 30 acre pasture. On days that I knew I wasnt going to ride him, id go out at catch him, make him follow me to the gate, give him a treat and turn him loose. Just to remind him that he isnt going to be worked every time he's caught.
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| YES.. MINE ARE CAUGHT MORNING AND NIGHT TO GET FED, I ALSO IF THEY DONT WANT TO GET CAUGHT LEAVE THEM. BUT HE ISNT ONE OF THOSE HORSE EASILY PERSADED BY FEED AND TREATS. 
I CAN FOR SURE TELL HES DOING IT AS A GAME, HIS WHOLE DEMINOR SCREAMS "HA-HA, YOU CANT CATCH ME"
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 516
| Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2017-02-06 1:22 PM
YES.. MINE ARE CAUGHT MORNING AND NIGHT TO GET FED, I ALSO IF THEY DONT WANT TO GET CAUGHT LEAVE THEM. BUT HE ISNT ONE OF THOSE HORSE EASILY PERSADED BY FEED AND TREATS. I CAN FOR SURE TELL HES DOING IT AS A GAME, HIS WHOLE DEMINOR SCREAMS "HA-HA, YOU CANT CATCH ME"
We've had a couple horses over the years that thought it was the most fun game to run away. They didn't think it so much anymore after they got their butts ran off quite a few times. You should see the look on their faces when they're all sweaty and huffy and we bring them in, give them grain, and let them go. Priceless. | |
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| Barrelhorsehelp1 - 2017-02-06 1:22 PM
YES.. MINE ARE CAUGHT MORNING AND NIGHT TO GET FED, I ALSO IF THEY DONT WANT TO GET CAUGHT LEAVE THEM. BUT HE ISNT ONE OF THOSE HORSE EASILY PERSADED BY FEED AND TREATS. I CAN FOR SURE TELL HES DOING IT AS A GAME, HIS WHOLE DEMINOR SCREAMS "HA-HA, YOU CANT CATCH ME"
I do not go out to the pasture witha bucket of feed. Everyone gets caught before the fed comes out. You think it is cute to run, you don't get fed. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 338
Location: NE TX | Just now getting my mare to where I can catch her. I've owned her for almost 4 years now and in the beginning she wouldn't let you catch her but you could toss feed in her stall and she would follow you in and eat and you could lock her up. In the last year she got to where that wouldn't work anymore and we had to get sneaky. She would go into her stall after you walked out but the second you went to shut the gate she would wheel around quick as lightning and bolt out of there like her tail was on fire and a mountain lion was after her fire filled tail.
This past fall it got to the point where we were chasing her for an hour in a 3 acre pasture to tire her out before we could catch her. Feed wouldn't work, treats wouldn't work, her buddies didn't work.
I can say now I AM A BELIEVER in the Clinton Anderson/Downunder Horsemanship method! In the last 2.5 weeks I've gone from chasing my horse every night for an hour, to now she will stay put and face me if she isn't already and let me walk into her pasture and halter her and take her into her stall to eat. If I am just coming to feed and not ride she follows me to the feed room then follows me eagerly to her stall and eats.
She is completely different on the ground now. | |
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 Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5409
| I had one horse that I put in a round pen and did the pressure and release on. Push push push then stop and raise my hand in the air, if he stopped and looked at me any at all I stepped backwards. As soon as his attention was of of me I pushed him again. He was hot and tiried but I got him to where I could catch him in the pasture with other horses by just throwing a rock or something to get his attention then raising my hand all in about 2 hours one day. He would come walking or trotting up to me. Main thing is if they ever don't give you the attention put pressure on them. | |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | cheryl makofka - 2017-02-06 7:56 AM I would separate the two horses, chances your problem may be solved. Horses are herd animals, the mare is probably the alpha, when she runs he follows. As for chasing with a cart, I would stop this Immediately. Had a horse that was chased in with a quad all the time before I got him, he was afraid of quads so much if there was a quad in the arena it would affect his run. If I was riding on the trails he would become fearful. We tried to desensitize, and it never worked. John Lyons, and Ray Hunt both preach you chase the horse, you need to be on equal ground with the horse, and you cannot switch out people. You need to chase them till they put their head down lick their lips, stop chasing when they do this, Pat Parrelli has some good points too, never walk in a straight line up to a horse, always half circles, even resting a leg show the horse you are relaxed. All three have videos, they are good watching.
This. I think doing some Clinton Anderson/Parelli/what have you roundpenning would really help for catching in the future. It shows you're boss, listen to YOU and not the mare. | |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | I had one that we had just brought home (a 2 year old) that was easy to catch in her familiar surroundings, but hard to catch once we got her home (I think it was more scared/unfamiliar than anything). So, it took me about 3 times of going out, putting the halter on, giving her a treat, take it off, put it back on, a treat. Now I can catch her anywhere, no matter the size pasture, without a treat.
Then I have my good mare...wouldn't sell her for anything...she can be persuaded by food (okay she loves food, but she knows when you have a halter, LOL). I just deal with it. It might take me 5 minutes on a bad day to catch her, but she has always been like this (she's 16 y/o this year), and if that is the worst thing she does (and so far it has been!) I'm good with that. There isn't any training her out of it. If she's by herself, she's better, but she's not really bad when she's with other horses. | |
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  One Hard Core Mom
Posts: 26461
Location: Dassel MN | they drive me insane! gah~ one of the worst things in my book. ive been known to sell one for that reason alone lol!?it was that or shoot her! she drove me nuts. each time you wanted to catch heryou better have at least 3 hours to kill, if you kept her up she would tear stuff up to get back out. tried everything and then some nothing ever worked, she was a pain in the ass till the day she died. | |
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Hard to catch horses!!!! ugh!