Hard to catch gaming horse...?

Question

she is an 8 y.o. paint. she is very smart, and won't come up to me (even for grain) if i have a rope or a halter. it is very frusterating, because i can't ride her very often when i know that i need to.

Answer 1

This answer will seem a little silly, but trust me on this.

Wear some crappy clothes so you don't mind if the get covered in poo. I also advise wearing some gloves. :]

Bring out some of her favorite grain in a bucket. As soon as the horse spots you, drop to your knees and start talking to her nicely and softly. If you see her tense up, you can even lay on your back and roll around for a second. Believe me this will catch her attention (and if anyone else is around, it may catch their's too! haha)

Now get back on your knees and start bringing up the bucket to her. If she runs then drop the bucket and go on your belly, or at least lower. Crawl in the opposite direction, and stay out of her way until she decides to investigate the grain.

As soon as her nose is in the dish. Start walking a little bit towards her. Stand upright, but keep your shoulders rolled forward and knees slightly bent. Hold out a carrot in your hand.

Make sure you don't walk directly toward her. Slowly take your time to go to her, but don't put a halter on if you reach her! Give her a pat and walk away. Walk up to her again, and then if she doesn't move then give her another pat. Leave the paddock for a while to let her think. Repeat at least for a few days.

It takes patience! Don't get frustrated and mad at her, but make a big deal when you can catch her in the paddock. Maybe bring her on little walks before you go to work. Make her look forward to seeing you! Good luck!

Answer 2

bring the horse (once caught) into a round pen or small fenced in area. Let the horse go(they usually run around cuz they r happy). Kinda get the horses attention and turn yur back to him and completely ignore him.the horse is curious of wat u r doin and sometimes comes to investigate. once she walks up(if/wen he does) do not turn around but instead walk away from her. After doin this for a little bit it will gain a little trust and ;let u catch her.

Wen u let her go and she doesnt finally calm down put yur back to her, and kind of move so yur in front  of her. Once she looks dont move.

Answer 3

You can either hang the halter and lead rope over your shoulder so it doesn't 'look' like you have one...*have done that before*  I also make sure the buckle doesn't jingle.  Had one horse that if she even heard the jingle...she was running.

I've had hay bale twine in my pocket, and when I reached horse, or it came up to me...then I slip it around their necks like a lead rope.

Mine are also taught to lead by the mane.  Can't tell you how much that helps sometimes.  This is good when you have a hard catcher.  If I can hold the mane...the horse stands still until I get something around the neck or head.

Your horse doesn't want to work and so avoids the halter and lead...which means 'work' to her.

Maybe catch her sometimes...and then just hand graze or groom her, then release her with a treat.  Not a treat every time...just when she goes back to the field.  That's the reward for coming....a release with a treat.  Don't always make 'catching her' associated with 'work.'

Also, don't approach head on.  Come from an angle and kinda droop your shoulders.  Don't make direct eye contact.  You are a 'predator'...she is 'prey.'  If you have the body language of 'hunting' her [eye contact and direct approach] she will run.

Many people make the mistake of punishing the horse for running once they have caught  the horse.  [Slapping, working the horse into a sweat, angry voices and stiff body attitude] The only thing that teaches the horse is that it was punished for being caught.  So, it will avoid getting caught.  Once the horse is caught...you have won...be kind and gentle and make the catching not such a bad thing...