My Horse Is Hard To Catch

Question

I got my horse yesterday she is really hard to catch it takes about 20 minutes to catch her, will she ever be used to it she is a mustang

Answer 1

my uncle uses a method that works well and our horses do respond to it what he does is when it comes time for the horses to eat he puts them in their stalls and then when he comes back to the stall he stands there with the feed and waits til the horse comes to him and then he gets a halter and puts on them that's how he trains his and it works .

                       OR.........................

just try bonding with her and when you do catch her reward her and how big is the paddock or whatever she stays in because if its big then move her into a smaller area and practice catching her there before you put her in a bigger area

Answer 2

If you use treats then she will just expect them EVERY time. So i try not to that.

Also try not to creep up behind her. You will startle her and she could end up bucking in your face thinking that you are upto something.

If i were you i would try being really relaxed. Maybe hide the headcollar behind you.

If you really need to then you could offer her a treat the first 3 times you catch her. Then make it every other time you catch her. Then gradually make it less and less so she doesnt expect one every time.

Hope i've helped. Good luck :)

Answer 3

I take a bucket of grain out with me. But thats not really a good idea if there's other horses in the field with you.  Unless the other horses respect you. Just make it a pleasant experience for her. Most horses are difficult to catch because they associate being caught with work. Which all horses given the chance, would choose not to work.

Answer 4

So hold on...you bought a mustang & now you cant catch it....did you ever think you may need some more experience with horses before buying a wild one???

Anyways, let her come to you & when you let her go, make sure shes calm, even give her cookies after you take the halter off, then give her a pat & walk away from HER dont just let her take off running or she will learn that she is supposed to run away from you...otherwise sell her to someone who at lease knows how to catch a horse...

Answer 5

Try bonding.

Wow, does that sound stupid.

What I mean is, try lunging her in the round pen, and after you feel ready, drop the rope and whip completely, turn around with your back to her, drop your head and remain still. Curiosity will get the best of her, and she will eventually walk up to you, nudge you or something along those lines.

When she does, have a treat ready to give to her.

If you repeat this every day, she will grow to trust you more than ever and want to come to you.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

Horses have 2wice as many legs as us. Of course they're hard to catch.

Answer 7

Do not try to catch your horse using treats. If you do, your horse will not respect you. Your horse will get used to being caught if you speak to her using language horses understand.

Try reading this article:

http://www.train-horses.com/catchingyour...

http://nmhorse.com/Catching-Your-Horse.h...

When you DO catch your horse, use the hook-on exercise in the round pen, which is done at liberty and will help you catch your horse:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_MrQ8MXx...

David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...

Answer 8

Well, you could always try to get her a little better. Although she may never be perfect, she can always be better. It sounds like she is just a little green, and needs some attention. Try getting to know her better before doing anything crazy.

Answer 9

Don't use food! That's like a last resort! When you go to the pasture to take her out keep the lead relaxed and almost hidden. Be very casual when you go to get her. If there are other horses out there go and pet them first. Don't let her assume that if she comes out of the pasture she'll be doing work. If you have time ever maybe just go out there to pet her and hang out not take her out. If you begin to walk up to her and she slowly begins to move away stay at her shoulder (still at a casual like state, and stay at a walk. If you run after her she will just feel like running more because she's being chased! If she's running around like crazy the moment she sees you. Then maybe get out there ahead of time so that you have time to just let her run around she might stop far away from you and wait for you to pursue her... then run again. If so, then just stop the moment she starts moving away from you. Hope That helps!

Answer 10

Try using a reward system.  Get her used to coming when you call by giving her some fruit or vegetables when you do catch her.  After a bit she will get the message that if she comes to you she will get a treat.

Answer 11

IF SHE LIVES BY HERSELF AN YOU HAVE THE TIME TO TEACH NOT TRAIN HER THEN LEAVE HER LEAD ON HER FOR A WHILE, A LONG ONE THAT IT DONT MATTER IF SHE STEPS ON... THEN TAKE THE TIME TO JUST WALK TO HER BE ABLE TO TAKE THE LEAD AND MAYBE JUST GET HER TO TAKE A FEW STEPS LET GO WALK AWAY, YOU HAVE TO INVEST TIME TO GET RESULTS IT DONT HAPPEN IN 5 MINUTES AND RESULTS ONLY LAST THRU REPETITION. BE CALM AND DONT GET EXCITED ABOUT IT IF SHE BULKS AT FIRST, PATIENCE IS GRAND, ANYTHING CAN BE FIXED, BY THE WAY MUSTANGS ARE TEMPER MENTAL SO BREATHE AN  BE PATIENT

Answer 12

Well, she is probley expecting to be ridden. My horse did that to for awhile (on occasion still does). My horse stays in the stal all day and goes out at night, so he pretty much "defends" his outside time lol so I don't blame him to much.

When he used to do it and HAD NO REASON I would bring three treat with me and...

#1 approach him with the treat and give ONE to her

#2 put the lead rope around her neck and give her another

#3 put the halter on and give her the last one AND a HUGE pat :)

I eventually narrowed it down to only giving ONE treat once I put the halter all the way on.

If she is REALLY bad shake a food bucket with some feed and she should be willing to be caught just to be fed...but you don't neccasarily have to give it to her.

ALSO make sure you AREN'T riding her everytime you catch her :P I am sure they hate it if you only come to visit/catch them just to be ridden. Vary it up a bit. Catch her and hand graze her for awhile, then let her back out. One day just simply catch her and groom and love on her. Then another just simply go out there and pet her and love on her...give her a few treats if you like (though be careful because they get VERY greedy with treats really quick)

Good Luck...I know how frustrating it can be :P I was soooo ticked at my horse when he started that junk. I was like you brat you get treated sooo well and get all this good stuff and you run away lol. Once I relized the way he looked at being caught and just ridden I was like...no wonder lol. xD