Tips for Catching A Horse

by Lisa Woodland

We have all experienced the frustration of trying to catch a horse that doesn't want to be caught.


Here are some great tips for doing so.

• Keep a matter-of-fact attitude. If the horses senses your frustration with him he is not going to come to you.


• Identify dangerous areas and mentally fence them out of bounds. If you have someone helping you put them near these areas and have them stand still unless the horses comes towards them.


• Then, shoe the horse away.


• Plan to approach the horse from either the left or right, not head on. Horses feel threatened when they are approached head on they know they are about to be attacked.


• Approach the horse, but stop before he moves. This gives you the control not the horse.


• Kiss to get the horse to look at you. Quit kissing when he does.


• Control the horse’s movement and direction, working toward getting him to look at you longer and longer. This is the same manner in which the head or boss horse uses to kick the other horses off its hay.


• Step to the side to encourage him to turn to face you. Continue doing that, moving closer to him until you can pet and halter him.

Don't

• corner them


• give them grain or treats


• rope them


• run them until they tire

We are all guilty of doing theses things to catch our horses and though they work on occasion this is not the safest or most effective way to get long lasting results.