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Catching the hard to catch
Posted by S D Mannies at 2015-01-14 19:15:14
My new team is very slow to respond to calling them and very hesitate to come in the barn for grain, all there hay is feed outside,free choice and all they want. (Low quality grass) So using there feed for leverage isn't going to work very well. Round pin outside full of ice and snow. I don't have very much room indoors to work on this. They are only running in 5 acres now ,but I'll be letting them out in 20 acres in the spring and I need to get it under control. They are not extremely bad, but they could be a lot better . I have to go out with a bucket from time to time and get them. If you have any tricks or advice you would like to share, I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks shanen
Response by KC Fox at 2015-01-14 23:05:42
what about there water? that may be your only thing they need you for so water them out of a bucket when they come to you. If your not using them every day they don't really need grain.
Response by Hooker1r2 at 2015-01-15 01:39:18
Get Linda Tellington-Jones book "ULTIMATE HORSE TRAINING.....", at least go on her site and forum. Loads of info to help with a variety of issues.
Response by Gary at 2015-01-15 06:00:48
The word new to me is the key to your post. My horses are kept about the same way as yours. I steadily at first did the grain every day in the barn. I also added a little brushing, petting, & putting halters on, as they received there grain. It took a few months to turn them into absolute pests. Every time they see me go into the barn they are in my back pockets. I have now cut back to graining them about everyother day or when it is very cold or after they have been used. I have to keep telling myself the old saying "Rome was not built in a Day"
Keep doing what your doing,it will come around.
Response by S D Mannies at 2015-01-15 07:03:08
K C ,the water is also outside,it's a spring feed pond that never freeze. Gary , I have had them 4 months, don't work them every day, but handle them every day, kept them up for the first 60 days. We are still working with them, just not been able to get over the hump.
Shanen
Response by Felt at 2015-01-15 08:10:21
Gary has the key. My horses don't know they can be fed (or get horse treats) without their halters on.
Response by Don McAvoy at 2015-01-16 07:13:16
Straw out side hay inside.
Response by Dale Wagner at 2015-01-16 11:39:47
I'd send the dog after them.
Response by Cheri at 2015-01-16 20:23:00
If they have some age, they may not get over it. Old habits die hard.
Response by Charlie T at 2015-01-18 07:54:01
Every horse and donkey I have trained has at one time not wanted to be caught. If they are easy to catch it just means that you are in the same category to them as a feed bucket. It doesn't mean anything else. In my experience this stuff gets better over time, when I'm not expecting it. Keep doing what you're doing, it will get better in time. Good luck!
Response by Hard Paul at 2015-01-20 07:44:18
I think Dale is right on this one. Though I don't let my cowdogs chase horses, I make it real uncomfortable outside so they want to come in. I used to feed, then go out and crack my whip. If they didn't come in (which they won't to begin with) I would have to go chase them in. Gets to where they know if they hear the whip they HAVE to come in or be chased in with it. Now I have a motor bike to irrigate with so it is my wrangle horse, but knowing the inevitable they usually come in when they hear it start. That beats chasing them around 20 acres afoot.
Response by KC Fox at 2015-01-20 20:42:21
I have run in the horses with a jeep, dirt bike, snowmobile, anything with a motor and another horse. they were all wild rides at times esp when I rolled the jeep. the best horses & mules come in when you call or whistle. got so with the bike and snowmobile just start it up rev the engine up shut it off there all going to the corral.
Response by Mptclinics in IL at 2015-01-23 09:02:44
Every horse loves some type of treat, but because they are prey animals, they will not be enticed to eat any treat if they feel threatened or uncomfortable. I have trained many a horse to come when called, but all have their rare day when they feel like a gallop first. It sounds like you need to do a bit of "conditioning" work to get them more accustomed to your approach, and to you being a good thing. There are several options to do this, but the horses need to learn that being beside you is the safe spot.

Once you get to that level, you need to make a regular habit of doing different things when you approach, but always something that ends on a really good note. Sometimes, just walk out, pet, walk away. Sometimes, walk out, halter, give a treat, remove halter, walk away. Sometimes, carry a brush, walk out, brush a few strokes on their itchy spot, walk away. Sometimes, when you are confident they won't run off, pick up a hoof or two, play with their tail, then pet, and walk away. Although the action you do may not be consistent, they become conditioned that you are safe, usually bring treats or soothing touch, and SOMeTIMES, they get haltered and brought to the barn for harnessing.

We grain morning and evening. In the summer, we harness after their morning grain! So catchng is never a problem. Since winter set in, we tend to feed them and release them back out to pasture until later in the day, when I won't freeze solid. They quickly learn that when they see me coming mid-day, it is to catch and harness. They aren't so eager to come or be caught. However, as long as I'm careful to go out and just love on them or do other things, then it keeps them guessing, keeps them looking forward to seeing me, and there is never a chase.

Horses are smart. We just get to witness it most when we don't want to deal with it.
Response by Ryan Crist at 2015-01-25 20:28:22
I've noticed w/ my three Belgians that if I just walk out in the pasture to pet them once in a while they seem to feel less threatened by being "caught". They start letting their guard down and actually do come in just because of the attention. Just a thought.
Response by S D Mannies at 2015-01-27 22:30:10
Thanks to all
we are making progress, a little slow,but progress
shanen

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