How do you catch a horse and put on a halter?

Question

It might seem quite a simple question but i've never had to catch a horse or put a halter on and i just wanted to know how to do it for when i have to. :)

Any advice is appreciated. :D

Answer 1

I know how you feel. The first time I did it I didn't have a clue lol.

Practice putting a halter on a horse in a stable so you know how it goes on. Hold the long strap in your left hand and the buckle in the right and it should be the right way up. Put the horses nose through the loop (should be by your belly). Throw the strap over the horses head and fasten on the right side. Make sure it is not too tight - the horse should be able to open its mouth, but not loose enough to slip off the horses nose.

Once you get the hang of it your can catch a horse from the field, but you will have to be faster because in the field the horse will not hang around for you.

First you have to get the horse to come to you. You could use treats to bribe the horse or just approach them purposefully, don't hesitate, and approach them infront of their shoulders. If you think the horse will run away then you can either hold their forelock, or throw a lead rope round its neck. Then put the head collar on.

Hope this helps, good luck.

Answer 2

Depends on the horse...

Some will let you come right up to them.  Those are the easy ones.  You walk up...put the lead rope over their neck...and place the halter on their face.  The lead rope over the neck can be used to hold the horse in place until you get the halter on.

Hard catchers...you don't approach head on and make eye contact with the horse.  Kinda walk at an angle to them. and have your head tilted towards the ground.  So they don't see you 'hunting' them.  Also kinda have one shoulder lower than the other.  This is a non-aggressive body language for you.  Get next to the horse and pet it's neck...slowly placing the lead rope around it's neck.  Then you have something to control the horse until you can get the halter on.

Hopefully...yours is an easy catch.