Catching Horses

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Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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  • January 22, 2013 at 11:28 pm #44444
    NB axemen
    Participant

    Been using the horses pretty regularly since November as I was getting them in shape for sleigh rides this winter.

    I always put the horses out on pasture without their halters.

    Recently when I go to get them hitched up, my mare won’t come to me…she plays a little game and won’t come put her halter on. I had to use hay and now oats to entice her?

    She must know that hitching up means work or something.

    Anything I can do to make this easier?

    thanks in advance for the help

    January 22, 2013 at 11:37 pm #77078
    carl ny
    Participant

    I know I’m gonna get hammered for this,but here goes. Sounds like a woman…LOL
    Actually,I have the same problem with my Appy. riding horse,and yes it’s a mare….

    carl ny

    January 23, 2013 at 1:25 am #77075
    Big Horses
    Participant

    We tie up every night for feeding. Works wonders…you don’t come to be caught, no grain.

    January 23, 2013 at 1:26 am #77079
    Eli
    Participant

    When you approach her and she walks away you do the same in the opposite direction, when she stops do the same thing over repeat a few times and you will be able to catch her. It may take a few times but it worked for me. My horse was impossible to catch and my daughter would catch her like this. I would chase my horse for an hour. And she could catch her in no time. So finally I gave in and did it her way (natural horsemanship) and now she is easy to catch. She is into Parelli and this kid has amazing horse skills. She is 15 and breaking her 3rd horse. Eli

    January 24, 2013 at 5:29 pm #77073
    Donn Hewes
    Keymaster

    I know it sounds a little lazy, but this is one of those times when I like to suggest using the search at the top of the Page. There are a few longer descriptions of the process Eli is referring to.

    February 6, 2013 at 2:04 am #77074
    grey
    Participant

    When I bring a horse in, there is nearly always (say, 90% of the time) some kind of snack in store as soon as they get in the barn. Usually we go straight for the tie stalls where there might be a bit of hay or a few alfalfa cubes or a scattering of oats in the manger. I might start the pre-harness grooming in the tie stall, then later move the horse into the aisle for harnessing. Or I might leave them to stand in the tie stall while I go other chores. They know there is work in store but the immediate short-term enjoyment of even a small snack is still sufficient to overcome any reluctance they might have about giving up their leisure time and clocking in to work.

    February 6, 2013 at 10:44 am #77077
    NB axemen
    Participant

    thanks for the suggestions…
    I tried what Eli suggested and she eventually gave in…

    I usually grain them in the am and then harness right after I get home from work, but I might have to hange my routine a bit…

    February 7, 2013 at 12:06 am #77076
    njfarmer
    Participant

    Instead of “rewarding” the problem mare when she decides to come to you. Reward her team mate for doing the right thing in the first place. Food works to get horses to come, but I would be concerned that I was “rewarding” bad behavior. Horses are not dumb animals. We just have to be smarter.

    February 7, 2013 at 1:00 am #77080
    Eli
    Participant

    It may take a few times but it worked for me. Now my horse is easy to catch.

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