A Hard Catch

[Paintedlady]

I am considering buying an 8 year old gelding who is trained, a good sound mount, but a very difficult catch. The story is that the owner who had him when he was a colt chased him around the field with his truck. Is this something that I am going to be able to over come? How would I do so?

[FehrGroundRanch]

You might be able to, but IMHO it's going to be alot of work. First off you have to make sure that the horse trust you and enjoys being with you. Alot of round pen work might help him come around, but it will be a slow process.

[myhillbilly]

You know what?? The horse I just bought a couple months ago (Billy) was the same way. He would come for grain, but as soon as he saw the halter or lead rope coming towards him, he would back away. Basically he needed to be "tricked" to be caught. I dont like to trick! When I brought him home I put him in a small pen. We had a couple issues at first. If he didnt want to be caught, I made him "run". Apparently that was much more work than gettting caught. After a few times he would come to me for his treat and then protest just a bit, but would let me catch him. I just basically brought him for grass, treats, and good brushes and put him back. Just so he knew it wasnt bad at all to be caught. 2 weeks ago he was put in a pasture. He now comes running to me and catches me!! It can TOTALLY be overcome, you just have to show love, trust, and safety.

[Paintedlady]

I went to look at this guy and he is a beautiful big gelding, but he has way to many issues for me to take on. But thanks for the advice. I have found the "run" technique very usefull in tricky to catch horses before.

[JezzaBella]

I have a mare I can't catch in her pasture, but in a smaller space I can after some lunging. I just bring a bucket, as I don't like to confine my horses in paddocks. I'll just have to keep bribing her with the bucket lol. I got a draft size halter on her which is a touch too big, sometimes she slips out of it and everyone gasps "Uh oh, Bella's naked!" Then I have to get her into an adjacent paddock with food, then out comes the lunge whip.

[Dare To Dream Horse Rescu]

We've had a few horses come in here that have the same problem, no way they're going to be caught. We put them in a small pen and then quietly send them away from us. I use a small 8 foot rope, coiled in my hand to send them away. I usually have to work at this the first day about an hour, but they do get tired of running and learn that if they come to me to be caught, they get to rest. The second day usually only takes 1/2 hour, by the third day, they may fuss a bit, but usually stand to be caught. I don't use a halter to catch them, just the 8 ft rope. After a week's time, I can't get rid of them, they just want to stay close to me. I don't do any other training with them when we do this, only catching. Their reward is getting to rest, along with lots of vocal encouragement and petting. The first couple of days, I'm as tired as they are, but the reward of having them come to me is worth it. Everyone that we've done this with I can now catch anywhere in a pasture.
Brenda of Dare To Dream Horse Rescue

[JezzaBella]

I never thought of trying it that way Dare to Dream, not doing anything else but catching. My mare is well under saddle now, do you think it's too late to try that tactic?

[Dare To Dream Horse Rescu]

It's never too late to do this. Any horse can learn new things. We've done it with well trained horses also. It's just a matter of patience and persistance. Good luck.

[Betamax]

We have had horses that were hard to catch. I just confuse them by going out in the field...giving pets and apples to those who come...and then hang out for a while...no pressure...just hanging out.
If you do this without the intention to catch them...soon they will be so curious of you that they come up to you and let you catch them.

Then...once you catch them....take them somewhere 'special'...like for a walk, or to graze somewhere where they don't go or whatever...just a good grooming...and then put them back. Sometimes they look at you and wonder.
It's not always the best idea to 'put them to work' each time you catch them of course...but if you take the time...make it always end on a positive note...then soon they come when you call, no matter how far they are out in the field.
I've always done that with mine...and no matter the age...with time it works well.

[FehrGroundRanch]

I give my horse treats and pets daily so they are all super easy to catch.

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