Uncatchable pony ...

[Millie1]

Ladies of the Tackroom, do you have any bright ideas please? We bought a pony last autumn, quiet as a lamb and really gentle but uncatchable! It was okay during the winter cos we just closed the yard gate, opened the field gate and she went into her stable. For various reasons, we're only just returning to riding now but we cannot catch her. The usual food treats don't work - she'll sometimes, not always, take a carrot/polo and duck off or will stick her head in a bucket but as soon as I try to slip a rope around her neck, she wheels round and off she goes. I've grown up with horses and ponies and have had hard to catch ponies before but have always got them with a bucket. Her field just now opens onto the road so there's no yard to let her into .... mind, we tried that this morning before moving her and she would not come in. Too cute!

Any suggestions please as I don't want to spend every morning for the next two months chasing around the field after her.

Thanks

[Mirage]

Dpony had a rep as being hard to catch sometimes,mainly when in a big field with a lot of grass.For 6 months we never had a problem,until one day she just would not let me near her.So I decided to walk her down,I got a lunge line and followed her around,every time she stopped and tried to graze,I moved her on.She REALLY didn't like it,she was aiming cow kicks in my direction and pulling faces,but it only took me 20 minutes before she gave in and let me walk up and put her headcollar and leadrope on. I had expected it to take far longer and was lucky enough to have time on my side,but no way was I leaving that field without her.

We have never had a problem since,she normally meets me at the gate,if she does walk away from me,a quick growl brings her back.It might take longer with a pony that has learnt that people go away if she persists,but once she knows that you won't let her do what she wants,ie graze,and that you'll keep her moving,she'll most likely give up.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[BonkeyMollocks]

I have a shitland that is a bugger to catch in the field. On concrete or in the yard he is a dream .

The only thing that works for me is herding him into a catch pen (small pen made from tape and stakes) and then catching him in there. Sometimes he is a angel and does exactly what I want and sometimes he is a complete and utter shit normally when I have to catch him for a various reason and runs riot round the field for a few hours before he gives in.

I agree with the 'don't let them stop method' . Its worked for a few people I know not me . Usually much easier in a smallish paddock so they can't get to far away from you that you can't move them on.

Good luck.

[BonkeyMollocks]

Should add, that now said shitland has moved fields. This one attaches to a yard which he is free to come in and out of as and when he likes.

The horse who he is with is fed at the same times everyday and he will come up with her and eat the crumbs and is very happy to be caught then without fuss.
So I wonder if routine has anything to do with it??

[Millie1]

Thanks! Hadn't heard of the 'move 'em on' method so I shall try that tomorrow, weather permitting. Field is about 3/4 acre so not too big but big enough for her to get well out of my way! Failing that, I'll get organised with posts and tape!

[AlpinePony]

Yep, I'm with the others - it might take a red-face and sweaty-pits (yours), but keep the bugger running, do not allow them one solitary blade of grass!

[frostyfingers]

Keep them moving worked for me to0 - eventually dpony just turns round and walks towards me. It may be worth looking at leaving a headcollar on (make sure it's suitable for turnout, and will break if it gets caught) to make it a bit easier too.

Catch her every day as well, even if you aren't intending to use her - bring her in, reward her and turn her out again. Repetition and bribery usually work!

[Millie1]

Okay, so a 10 year old has put me to shame! DS1 was bored (how can you be bored on the first day of the summer holidays?) by 9.15am this morning so, to get him out of my hair give him something to do and buy myself half an hour to wash my hair, I sent him out to try and catch her. He had her within 2 mins and was as cool about it as only a 10 yr old boy can be - proud of himself though! She came straight over to him. They all got riding and grooming her so same again tomorrow with polos tom reward.

She is, however, as fat as a house, so both she and I could do with moving her about the field!

Thanks everyone.

[AlpinePony]

We used to get my dad to get them. He'd ambled over, put the headcollar on upside-down and job done. :(