Hard to catch horse?

Question

my horse is just a brat about being caught in his pasture. He's not severely hard to catch, he'll just try and play games and I dont like it. He'll walk a few steps away. look back at you, turn his butt your direction. saunder off in another direction, act like hes distracted by another horse then they walk off together. and after about 2 or 3 minutes he turns and looks at me, waits, stands and i halter him and bring him in. I'm tired of it! why wont he just let me catch him in the first place? all the other horses walk right up to me and will hardly leave me alone, why does he try to avoid me? any help?

Answer 1

Every morning, I turn all of the horses out/bring them in at my stable. Here's some tips:

First thing is, leave the halter on. This makes it easier and faster to catch your horse.

Secondly, I think it is perfectly alright to use bribes. For the first couple times you go out to catch your horse, crinkle a mint wrapper or bring out a grain scoop and shake it. The noise will attract his attention. Just give him a little bit. After the first few times you use bribes, begin only bringing them every other time, or every few times, and eventually you'll be able to ween him off of them completely.

Third, always praise him when he comes to you.

And one last thing: If you have been, try not to get on him right away after you've caught him. He may begin to associate working with being brought in from the pasture. Also try to make sure he has something he can do in his stall - a "jolly ball", hay, salt block...this way, he won't mind being in his stall as much.

I hope this all helps, and good luck catching him!!!

(p.s. - he's only avoiding you because he doesn't like the fact that you're separating him from his friends. if it's possible, turn him out in a pasture where he can't see the other horses. if that still doesn't work, just follow the steps above!)

Answer 2

After reading the other answers, the only thing I can see left to add is,,,

Don't ride him everytime you catch him. Go out and just catch him and touch him and call him a knot head or whatever little term of endearment you use, then walk away. Leave him standing there wondering what just happened!

The other horses come right up to you because you never ask anything of them.

He does this to you because he associates you with the "ride" only,, change your pattern, start "catching" him for something he will like. Walk up to him, give him a treat, pet him, brush his neck,  right out in the pasture, and then walk away. Stuff like that, I bet he will be following you back to the barn before long!!  It will take time to re-train his thinking, but well worth it .

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

for some reason every time my horse doesnt have his halter on he runs away but when he does he is easy to catch.maybe you should keep your halter on him.

                            hope i helped

Answer 4

alright- im getting to be the queen at this.. my horse is a little brat like that to. put him out in a different pasture without any other horses.  if he doesn't want to come up to you takea whip ( lead ropes work too ) and act like you are going to lunge him. don't chase after him but once he moves and stops goup to him again and make him move his feet. ( don't stoop to bribes then you'll have to bring grain everytimeyou go out to see him ) keep wrking the horse until hes tired or stops for awile. if he leans down o eat grass start working him again. once this is all finished and he doesn't want to eat anymore walk up to him and rub him. and retreat. do this and again walk up to him and then put the halter/lead rope on and walk him around. don't take him straight for a ride or to the barn. don't follow ruteen. mix it up. lunge him. walk beside him. stop and let him eat. then let him go. and do this over and over. next put he and 2-3 other horses together. when the first two horses come up ( if he doesn't follow ) praise them and give them grain and love then leave them where they are.. don't punish them.. punish the one whos stubborn lol. do the same thing you did in the pasture with him alone. keep addd more and more horses. soon your horse will obey.. they get tired too you know lol! don't give up though! you shouldn'thave to hide things or bribe you want that horse to walk right up to you without you holding ten things secretly.

emai lme ifyou have any more ?s

Answer 5

hang your halter from your back pocket and walk out to him with a treat. give him a reason to want to come to you. i've had the same problem. mine didn't want to be ridden...lazy :) so I had to bribe her.