Hi all, I need help. And not the kind that prescribes medication (although a glass or two of vino would probably help right about now). I have a 19 month old TBxQH gelding whom as a foal and even after weaning was easy to catch. He'd just stand there for cuddles and you could do ANYTHING with him. He grew up on a 5000 acre stud. He recently came to live with me and had to be trucked to where I now live (approx 2500km away). The night before he was due to go onto the hauler, he was put into yards along with a couple of mares that were part of Nemo's herd, just to keep him company as he had previously escaped the yards when he was on his own. Overnight he got cornered by a cantankerous old mare and got double barrelled repeatedly. In the morning when we went to catch him, he was a different horse. He was striking out at us, ears pinned back. After some time he settled and we were able to catch him no problems. This was 2 months ago.
Once he arrived to our new location I allowed him to settle before introducing him to my 2 year old filly. It would always take some time to catch Nemo but once I had the head collar on he was fine. 3 weeks ago my filly cornered Nemo for no reason other then he was sniffing a feeder that she wanted, turned and repeatedly double barrelled him, pushing him through the post and rail fence that divides a large shelter between two paddocks. After that if you so much as sneezed in Nemo's direction, he'd make a run for it. Over the last few weeks I've been able to get near Nemo. I can rub his neck; shoulders; face and head. But I cannot catch him to put a head collar on him. If I so much as get a rope around his neck, he starts half rearing; striking out; or simply turning his bum into me and taking off, ripping the rope out of my hands. While he is only 19 months old, he is currently approx 15.2 hh and solid. I have only been trying to catch him in an enclosed secure area but the yard is a funny shape. I have no access to a round yard currently (severe bushfire 12 months ago took out most of my property, leaving just my house thankfully), and since I can't catch Nemo, there's no point floating him to my local riding school as frankly, I can't catch him to get him onto a float (my float was also a fire victim).
I know Nemo has baggage. What I need is help/advice on how to be able to catch him. Once he's caught and has his head collar on, you can lead him anywhere etc he is a dream to worm and do anything to.It's just catching him. Help!
Wow, that must be hard, for you and him ! I hope you'll find a solution.
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You say you ty to catch him "in an enclosed secure area", any chance you could attempt a join-up in there ? To reassure him of your intentions when you'll approach him ?
Hi Laura,
Your Nemo is in distress, he has lost his childish self-security and his safe haven.
Now you can do a lot to become a new security for him, but I think it needs some re-organizing. Your filly seems to not be of real support right now, I'd keep them apart, but within sight for the time being. Even if you don't have a roundpen, due to bushfire etc., you can still do a couple of Join-Ups with Nemo in the pen he's in. Funny corners can be cut off with simple materials, like strawbales or anything from longlines to jumppoles etc. There are some lessons on this UNI about Join-Up without a roundpen, you'll have to work a little harder, but it is possible. Just imagine Nemo choosing you as his safety-being, that's all he needs right now, feeling a "sense of belonging" to your little herd of two beings, human and horse! Don't think of catching him, think of what you can offer him as the center of his world. he has lost just that, by moving into a new situation.
See all this as a great opportunity to build big trust between you, he'll catch you before you know it!
Please stay safe and let us know how you're doing!
Miriam
WONDERFULLY said, Miriam. Turn the tables on disaster and make chicken salad. GREAT ADVICE!!!!
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all the best Bud
Excellent advice from Miriam as always - I wholeheartedly agree. Stop trying to catch him, let him find you. Poor Nemo has had a tough time. Sometimes the more we try, the harder it gets.
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I have a suggestions that may help. Day 1. Take a chair into the field/pen (whereever Nemo is); get a book, sit down, ignore Nemo, read your book, be very engrossed in your book (but keeping an alert for your own safety of course!). Tap into his curiosity; if he comes to have "a look" at you, try not to get excited/relieved, just keep reading and 'ignoring him'. Just at the point where you think he is going to move away from you, quietly get up and move AWAY from him (not towards him). Leave the pen/field. Day 2 - repeat, Day 3, Repeat with a halter and rope in your lap, Day 4 halter and rope, no book etc etc. Do you get the idea? (Adapt the days/methods to suit). If it takes 30 minutes of you sitting reading a book before he even bothers with you so be it.
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It is a fascinating process, I did it with 6 horses in a field to see what would happen (I sat under a tree). None f them raised their heads but they were moving in arcs and circles but carried on eating. Within 30 minutes they were all stood round the tree with me! It's just a practical suggestion to go along with Miriams philosophy.
Vicci, you hit a just hit a HOME RUN. This exercise is also known as the CHAIR CHALLENGE, and is a miracle worker with horses who might be mentally unsure of themselves for what ever reason. They cannot deny their overwhelming curiosity to join our energy force. It compels them to investigate. This is a second cousin to Monty`s JOIN-UP procedure.
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.. Because it`s done at liberty, it causes a horse to make a decision, without coercion, about the human in the pen with them. The horse eventually accepts to invitation to share space peacefully. As a handler, the only thing we insist on is politeness on the horse`s part.
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Wonderful suggestion, Vicci.
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All the best Bud
That's very kind of you Bud, thank you