Solving Catching Problems with your Horse Part 1
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.พ. 2013
- www.funhorsetraining.com
In this video I work with a horse named captain who has a history of being hard to catch. In the video I show you some great strategies that will help you solve catching problems with any horse.
Your way of explaining, your word choice, is easier for beginners to understand than that of many other trainers, thank you!
What I learned from my own difficult experience is this...act like the lead mare in the heard...if my horse walks away...I chase him away...as the lead mare does if displeased....horses hate work...so a few episodes of that...he is over it...and also the valuable tip...."he who leads the feet..has the upper hand"...quite simply...if the horse starts to walk away...stop...and wait until he/she stops....and approach...if he/she continues to walk..apply pressure....until he/she stops...and approach again...eventually the horse will stop and allow you to halter...worked for me....with one horse who is difficult to catch...now when I call him...he comes to me...occasionally he forgets...when he sees the halter....and back to the drawing board...and he responds....but very quickly....but now more often than not...he prefers to be "caught"...also if you allow the horse to think that something pleasurable may happen rather than work...ie: catch...groom...reward...release...the horse will be more amenable to being caught...am no "expert"...but this worked for me....cheers....
I am on 5 acres...
I like how you took your time and didn't try rushing the process.
I had to do a double-take of the thumbnail because it looked like the horse was on fire
i did too xD
We recently acquired an old pony mule who is very sweet but doesn't like being caught. I am really looking forward to applying these tips to training him. Thanks so much!
Don't get discouraged, a mule is NOT a horse........but some of the work is the same........
thank you so much for this video! I was able to catch my old wily Arab in the pasture within 15 mins without food or treats using this method. It works!
Thank you for not using food or treats. You have made a big advance in your horsemanship.
You are a fantastic teacher to the horse and the human. Thank you
Hi there. I have had a new horse at home for the last week and this afternoon I went out to put his cover on as the weather was crap, and I spent the next hour in the pouring rain trying to catch him. Noticing his cover had fallen off the fence onto the ground, I walked over to retrieve it...I turned around and he was following me! I was very confused to say the least! I came inside and watched your video. This evening I went out again to move him into a smaller paddock for the night...10 minutes later he was in his paddock eating his nightly feed. I suspect he has had a mixture of natural horsemanship and "old school" and I was sending him mixed signals which ended up totally confusing him. Thank you for your video...it has taught me to think from his point of view rather than my own...a refreshing change! I look forward to watching more of your videos 8-)
I’m a little late to the party but I followed your video and have had such incredible success! Thank you so much for posting this. We have an 8 year old quarter-horse mare that was charging my 13 year old daughter every-time she tried to catch her to ride. It turned into such a negative experience for her and definitely cut down on the amount of time she spent with her horse and riding her. I have followed your video and went out to the paddock about 4 times on the first day, 2 on the second and today I went in and called her name and she walked right up to me ready to be haltered!!! Amazing!!! I feel such a sense of accomplishment and excitement for the future of this horse in our family. ❤️
This video was so helpful! I’ve been told the concept, and have seen it in action before, but this video explained and demonstrated the technique in a way that made so much sense to me. I did this with the mustang we recently acquired for our therapeutic riding program. I’ve successfully caught her before, but other times she leaves the second she sees me. Last time I lost patience and gave up (I know, I know....bad move). Today I found this video and followed your method after removing the other horses so she was isolated (because I can’t catch her to separate her). Then I did exactly what you did, and it played out exactly how you showed in this video. I was beyond thrilled! Thank you for sharing your expertise!!
Thank you for this video....your explanation of this method was very helpful. I am getting used to a new location after living overseas for awhile and now have 2 new horses! They are getting used to a new location and learning to trust me all at the same time! Needless to say, I have been feeling somewhat overwhelmed, & so have they. This will help build trust & confidence between us.. Thank you for the easy to understand pointers. We look forward to more tips from you.
I loved this video. Thank you so much for it. I have been getting advice from others on how to catch my horse and it never felt right.. This looks like work but will last a lifetime. I'm sure this works on the horse trusting me more instead of her getting upset with me making her do things she doesn't want to do.
I like that you even take time to look at he Problem from the horses perspektive. Lots of people dont because they just mind their own business and how to get up to their goals as quick as possible. And we have been proven that was follow up really works. for ages.
thank you for easy to follow and understand video now i cant wait to put it to practice
Fantastic found your upload and put it in to practice. The first day not much luck it felt like nothing was going to work the second day can not believe it I was able to stroke her face and she followed me around she caught me. Thank you so much
+Penelope Humphries That's the way its done! awesome. Feels good to see them learn and get the break through doesn't it! Good job.
Thankyou so much! This worked so well for me and my mustang!
I have an impatient Arab who runs away a lot! This video helped me catch her and now she is coming to me without my trying. Thank you!
really well explained, thank you
Great advice
what a beautiful example. no man running trying to catch horse, no screaming, no throwing hands at the horse saying "come here stupid donkey" or whatever, no blasphemies to the animal... just a nice and quiet walking around until the horse thinks "ehi maybe he's not trying to eat me, maybe it's ok to go towards this weird two-legged animal walking around behind me and walking away if i make direct eye contact". Then a friendly scratchy on the head and on the neck always satisfying in a can't-reach zone of an animal. And peace.
Good video - thank you!
Good video. It's truly unfortunate that most horses are significantly brighter than their owners.... as evident by some of comments posted in response to your video. Keep them coming.
the night never heard of the follow up method.
So true.
Thank you.
Thanks for the Video
just want to say what a good video and thanks for being so patient.
I have STRUGGLED with a horse for a month now to catch him...tried this and in 20 minutes HE WAS FOLLOWING ME!!! This really works!!
Fascinating! :-)
Thank you for this! Very clearly presented and easy to understand. This is roughly the technique I use to catch my mare, but I see several places I can fine-tune things. Very helpful!
Since developing a fly allergy, my mare no longer wants to be caught. I'm terribly saddened by this. I have to regularly do things to her she doesn't like: fly spray, ointment, etc. She doesn't care that I'm trying to help -- she just doesn't like it!
So, my question is, how can I help her remember more of the good stuff???
Very nice approach ... wish you were in the U.S.!
+Emily Corwith I am in the process of trying to organise some clinics over in U.S. At this stage I'm in the process of organising 2 clinics in Pahrump, Nevada. But I would be open to the possibility of running clinics at other locations : )
Great video. Thank you! I used this method today on my 14yr old gelding, Rio who has always been hard to catch. I separated him from the other two and put him in the round pin. He would stop and give me two eyes and stand watching me. I walked away and he would keep his eyes on me but every time I made any move towards him he would start running around the pin. This went back and forth with me never getting closer than four feet. We did this for about 40 mins. Should I keep on till he follows me
I understand all these principles and my horse comes to me in the field and is happy to be close, and will follow me wherever I go, until he sees the halter (or even a rope on its own) and then he just retreats a couple of metres away but still stays turned towards me. It is the actual sight of a rope that he can't cope with. I believe he was treated harshly in his youth, when he was being broken, but for the last five years he has been treated with respect and love, and yet still he can't get over that initial barrier. Once caught, he is the politest horse you could want,although I always feel his tension. I want to gain his total confidence. I have loads of time so I am not in a hurry, but even after three years he still has issues with being caught. I let him into the yard and he puts himself in his stall so I am able to approach him in that confined space without a problem, but I would really like to be able to catch him in his field. Any ideas?
There is a process to it. Break the goal down into very small steps. Get the horse confident with all of the steps. Then put it together. But you must be viewed by the horse as the fair and trusted leader first. And you must know the horse's language (body language). Then you must be an effective communicator to the horse. Then you will have great success.
Great video... have you got any advice for using these techniques in a larger yard/paddock.. I have a 7 mth old unhandled colt who difficult to catch but I have no round pen or small yard. I can get him to face up but he won't follow or let me approach him.. I can catch him while he is eating and he is very quiet once caught.
First of all, I want to say this video is fantastic! This is the best horse catching video I've found on the internet. However, I have one questions. I have a fairly strong willed mare. Shes always been the type to follow me around like a dog. However, as soon as I lift up the halter/rope to catch her she slowly walks off. She doesn't bolt or anything just turns her butt towards me, makes a circle and comes back. She will always turn back and follow me but again when I attempt to lift the halter the same thing happens. I can rub and pet her all over her I just cant put the rope around her neck. When she walks off like this should I be putting pressure on her because she stops and look at me right away? Any advise? Thanks!
Thank you for this video. I'm currently working with a 13 year old Arab Mare you is buddy sour. She often lets me catch her and her buddy has been respectful (albeit downright grief stricken evidenced by her caterwauling and carrying on when I take her out to walk around the ranch). Today it was hot by Pacific Northwest standards and she didn't want to be caught. She allowed me to take my time to get close, and welcomed me into her space. We even stood for several minutes quietly scratching and rubbing, but when I asked her if she wanted to visit outside the paddock she said no. It was no big deal, but I don't want it to become a habit. Would you please make a video about how to get a horse out of the pasture with respect? Thanks so much.
Wow patience is key very hard for the average person.
Thanks for the video. But, wish you had started with a fresh horse, instead of after you had already caught him at least once. Kinda what, they have to deal with everyday. As it turns out, we still got some good advise. :)
Thank you for your comment, will have more videos on the way regarding working with a horse that hasn't been caught before. But in principle you would do all the same things, the only difference being the amount of time that you spend on each step.
+AmericanProspector : Hello, basically its all the same with a "fresh" horse as well. I have a 24 year old mustang that has NEVER been worked with or "caught" and because of his age I am not going fast with him but approach and retreat and having them learn that they get to "rest" when they are with us and or with 2 eyes on us is what we want. My Mustang is wanting to be with me "caught" more and more and he is walking up to me not just because I have grain but because he knows it is good with me and hard without me. I really hassle them if the turn into the fence though because I don't want them trying to escape me I want them looking to me for relief and direction. So even if your horse has never been touched or handled this will work. I tend to put a bit more pressure on my horses especially if they are disrespectful but I do like the way this young man is working with Captain. Well done young man, I have enjoyed watching your video and you have confirmed again that my training that I have gotten and have given is indeed sound and works with each horse although they are all different they learn primarily the same. Thanks again.
horses tend to react best at 12 'o clock at a circle, also when changing directions. senden from a perspektive at a round pen where 6 oder clock is the entrance.
Great video but how do you do this in an 11 acre field with 4 other horses getting in the way and the horse you want to catch just goes off to the oppersite side of the field each time you get near him
Pressure and release. Use you body language to effectively communicate with him. Move his feet. Change his direction. You are in charge of your horse's movement, not the horse. That will establish your leadership status. He will then want to be with you respectfully.
In the thumbnail it looked like your horse was on fire but it was just the sun XD
how do you get your house in the pin
My mare will do that in the round yard, but as soon as she gets into her paddock (4 acres with hills and patches of trees everywhere) she knows she can outrun me and can still be naughty about catching :/ any ideas??
hello. I have two 3 month old colts. can this method be good for them??
Yes certainly, are they hard to catch?
+BLSHorsemanship yes they are, they like to wall away as I walk up. was just wondering because lunging isn't good for them till they are 1
Does this technique work if the horse run with other horse.This particular one is hard to catch.
Its much easier to apply the technique when the horse is on its own first. I have found that once you have it working really well for you in a round pen you can move to bigger areas. But it does make it much harder with other horses in the equation.
It seems like a really good method but the problem I see with it is, sometimes we want the horse to longe, or move around the round pen and when that's the case we want to drop the pressure once he's moving. Won't the horse get confused about which of the two you are wanting from him?
Hi Ebony, what I find is that when you ask the horse to circle there is a different intention behind the outcome you want and you reward the horse for different things. Once the horse knows to come in when you step back then you can ask him to circle and then ask it to come in with a different cue.
what shall i do my pony hates the leadrope and halter plz help me!
Can you rub your pony with the halter and lead?
i will try
+GGluver1 Don't be shy with it. Don't try to hide it from her. have it at the end of your hand reaching out and use this same idea...when she has no eyes on you, keep the pressure on and when she looks at you take the pressure away by dropping the your had and the lead rope to your side. pretty soon she will relax and stand still then you can start rubbing her with it and making the halter an extention of your arm and hands that make her feel good when she getting pet/ scratched by you.
Sounds Like you need to get her moving forwards more freely at a canter with just a saddle on, preferably in a round yard or somewhere that you can turn her loose. Give that a try and let me know how it goes..
There is way more happening in this video than teaching your horse to catch you. This training is very important regards keeping your horse trained. I read a comment below about a horse charging at the 13 year old. We reason might be because she has not been moving her horses feet like this or in another method. A horse NEEDS a leader we need to be the leader for our horse for many resons but one, the horses can become dominant if we dont be the leader, which could end up dangerous, worse case senario
How can I do this without a pen? I only have a field with other horses.
It becomes more of a challenge, but can be done.
I though this was how to catch a horse on fire by the thumbnail D:
What to do I can’t even catch my horse to put a halter on
I can not actually catch my horse out of the field and I don't no what to do does any one have any advice
You will be able to do so once you and your horse do it well in the round pen. Then a larger area. Then a still larger area. Then in open pasture. But you must be skilled in communicating with your horse through body language. No verbal. No constant clicking. Just body language. And you must be viewed by your horse as the fair and trusted leader.
my horse pins his ears down and threatens to kick me when i try to catch him? do you know what i should do? he does not listen to food
Does he do it every time you catch him? whats he like once you've caught him, is he still aggressive or defensive?
If that is the case, then the horse does not view you as a leader and is heading down the road to becoming a dangerous horse. You need to change your behavior around your horse now, so your horse will change for the better.
Can you do a video on how to stop a horse from crow hopping?
Not sure why I have been given the name mrslippyfist18?
This problem has now become two. When I go to mount up he pulls away & the whole thing starts again. I will try this.
He is saying 'no'. You want him to say 'yes'. That takes the horse viewing you as the fair and trusted leader.
Ya I figured that out...thank you though.
When you do it right, you do not need to 'catch' the horse. The horse will come to you.
BS
The thing is... what if the horse is in a field with more horses and it get's behind them because the other horses kick and it knows that you will not come? That's tricky >.
My horse just started running l, sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't ... I think he knows he's being onry
People need to have a horse that comes when asked, the first time, for many reasons. One day a group of riders had gone to the horses park, and let our horses (they all knew each other from daily rides) loose. All of a sudden, and I MEAN sudden, a car slammed to a stop, two cops with guns jumped out and started to run through the park, along a wall.....obviously someone on the other side of that wall had a gun as well...........I called my horses, they came, we left the arena and went down the street to safe space before the helicopter arrived with blaring voice telling the criminals to come out........and surrender. My friends, NOT so much, the kids at the tennis court, that I had warned their coach, were gathered and down the street when their horses had to be left to run around with cops, helicopter and huge voice from the sky and people with guns on the other side of the wall. Whether on the trail, or in the arena.......your horse needs to come when called, with NO compromises.
Rubbing. That is fine. But don't forget to give the horse release of pressure. Yes, rubbing is pressure. The horse learns on the release of pressure.
Ive always run horses a bit, then called them and if they came or made effort to begin to come to me I rewarded... Is that approach NOT a good idea? just got a new mini mule that had been abused and tied with a rope tightly for good while. Ive got halter on him, he will come in a 12x12 pen and will let me handle him. he is not keen on or letting me put lead rope on him though. goal is to be able to turn him out into an acre small pasture very soon. He needs to run and exercise,, get out some pent up energy but catching him without feed or treats is the goal.
Yes that sounds like a fairly similar approach. I think the key is to make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult but not impossible. Your not trying to make it hell if they don't come to you your just making a bit more difficult for them to be somewhere else mentally and physically. Its sounds like consistent handling and desensitising will help you the most to gain your Mules trust. but if your going to use this approach then start in a small yard or round pen first and then only progress to a bigger one when they are going really well in the round pen.
My horse doesn't let me catch her when I walk up to her in the 30 acre pasture, but instead she runs full speed to the gate and waits for me there. I can't decide if she doesn't want to be caught, or doesn't want to have to walk slowly behind me on the way back to the gate, so she decides to beat me there.
Intersting... do you feed her at the gate?
I board her and never feed her myself, but the barn owner feeds her at the gate I think.
That definitely sounds like that might be the case : )
She associates you as “Barn person(s)which of course equals feed. She knows the field is for horses, I’d almost bank no one spends a lot of time in the fields if you check. I always teach 3 things that are the main basics in “association & personal connections” for behavior...
1st Areas) the Stall, Barn or any close quarter work areas (aisleways, wash stalls etc) are for the human & their horse to be equal meaning respect clearly goes both ways
2nd Areas) the Paddock, Round Pen & Arena are the humans area but respect is on the horse to you cuz it’s time to learn & work 3rd Areas) the Field & Turn Out is theirs where your to respect them BUT there’s a understanding the majority of respect is on you to them, your now in “their natural safe place”.
Spend some time in the field, let her bond with/ you there as her “human herd equal” but don’t be bullied as if a lowest horse in the herd if you understand that. Make her curious of you, why your there & even jealous of the attention you pay to the other horses, yes snacks, treats & lovings go a long way here.
Bring her in & work in a round pen where you teach her to “join up” remember this is Area 2, respect changes directions. I always teach “your the Boss, you don’t have to be a “mean” 1 but you do have to be the Boss, it’s their turn to listen.
There’s a lot to teaching how to get your horse to bond w/ & respect you as “theirs” & encouraging them to build that “want” to be w/ you.
What this guy doesn’t explain better (what little he does mention he shoulda led w/ in the 1st 5+ minutes that almost made me stop watching) is the “pressure” he’s applying to the horse is to teach your not a threat, your wanting to be w/ them, that, that’s a good thing & rewarding connective wise it’s not gonna result in work if they avoid you...it’s a good thing to be more human it’s a dif type of herb member that gets me on a special level. As long as your horse gets their way & stay evasive & see you as “their” object your the help, you equal food that’s all) not their equal they’ll just blow you off.
They want them to want & need you & nothing’s more rewarding then when they decide they “want” you 😊 just like they want & need their Alpha horse in the field.
Sorry so long, hope that helps you in the direction you need to head in & I didn’t be so brief as to skip to much. TH-cam some videos about “joining up” & in general bonding w/ your horse 1’s. There’s a lot of vague or run on videos that’ll just confuse you but everyone has their preference on what trainers think like or can explain it well enough to get you going. Lol, some of these videos make me wanna yell at them cuz they just are overbearing to the horse & demeaning to human & the horse.
She is moving your feet. She is in charge of you. She is higher in status, in her mind, than you. You want the opposite.
I think the horse was giving the indication, you may approach me, but human didn't take it.
You can tell when people have catching problems when they leave the halter on the horse.
Among other clues.
Whenever I try to canter with her.
When is the horse crow hopping?
I can get close to my horse. When I go to hook the lead line, he snaps at me & runs away. I walk away, he runs at me & rears when he is close to me. I make him back up. Over & over we do this. Until he has run enough. Then I can hook his line & lead him no problem. It is a game to him.
Not good. You want the horse to do as you ask with your body language. You want him to view you as the fair and trusted leader. A horse will not disrespect the herd leader. You need to be that 'herd leader' anytime you are in with the horses.
This was 2 yrs ago...today he is training in dressage.
My horse is like that, because everytimes hes caught hes going roping!
so after 3 days my horse is worse than ever! Don't know how long its supposed to take but it sure doesn't seem to work to me!
What are you doing and what is your horse doing?
You are not doing it right.
You don't catch a horse. You let the horse catch you.
I like the HORSE but u talk to muck
Dulce Madera learn how to spell then you can talk.
hes clearly trying to teach people you asshat. atleast hes explaining whats happening and also patience is the key.
HI Meredith,
You need to gradually transition from the round yard to a bigger area such as an arena or a paddock the size of an arena but only when your horse is really solid in the round pen. Once solid there you can make the transition into bigger areas and practice the same principles.