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My Join-Up® Experience

Cannot catch or touch my horse

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Hi,

I am not new to horses, but I recently bought a new Shetland mare that is a driving horse. I was told she is timid in the stall. I am having the hardest time catching her. At first, she would "wheel" and spin in her stall and have her butt facing you constantly. I have been working on it for two weeks... and now she is a lot calmer in the stall. But you name it, I have tried it. Sitting in her stall with my back turned away for long periods of time or just hanging out, turning away from her every time I get her to look at me, lunging her to get her to stand still and take a halter, flag work, etc. I have spent HOURS in her stall working with her. I started doing some work with her today where I turn and show my back as soon as I get her to look at me. This progressed nicely, but anytime I get close enough to touch her, she freaks out when I reach out my hand. I spent about 3 hours with her. 

She has an eye infection and I need to be able to catch her to treat her eye so it doesn't get worse... any ideas? I am despondent. She does ok once she is haltered and you can lead her, desensitize her, etc. She drives beautifully in a cart. But she does not want to be touched and I am assuming she was abused before because I can't see any other reason for it. Help!!