Catching

Dear Cherry,

My traveling horse is prone to need to be followed around for about 2-3 minutes to get caught. Any ideas how to correct the problem? My grandpa had a horse that would come to his whistle. That would be much nicer.

Thank You! - TJ

Hi TJ,

What happens if you don't follow the horse around but just stand still - does he show interest in turning and looking at you or does he turn away? Maybe you are approaching him as if you are in a hurry to catch him and that tends to drive him forward.

The best method to use if the horse is moving away from you is the walk down method. You start in a small space such as a stall or a small pen and you walk toward the horse's shoulder, not looking him in the eye. When he stops, go up, scratch him on the neck or withers, then walk away from him. Do this over until you can just walk up to him in a small space. He will learn that every time you approach him, you do not necessarily catch him and work him.

Gradually move to larger areas. Repeat the procedure.

This is really the oldest, time-tested way - it does take time and patience. If you discipline the horse when you finally catch him, it will teach him to not be caught in the future. So even if you are irritated that you had to walk for 3-5 minutes before he finally stopped, resist the temptation to give him a scolding or a jerk on the halter. Instead, give him a scratch and walk away.

If you have a round pen, you can free longe the horse until he's got the edge off him and then tell him "whoa" and then walk up to him. If he moves away from you, you can exercise him some more.

Pretty soon the horse learns that being caught is his best alternative and nothing bad is going to happen once he is caught.

Have fun.

Reference: How To Think Like A Horse

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Leading

Hi, Cherry

Just came from your home page and your articles. Thank you very much. Read all of your pages pieces of your books.

I have trained a few horses, they all knew how to lead. Then I took it from there up driving and riding. Last August, my boyfriend and I purchase a 3 year old filly Icelandic Horse. Last Nov. I started to get to know this filly, like brushing, picking up her feet, teaching her to back up, and a little bit of lungeing.

Then Winter came and still here. My boyfriend try to lead her around the pasture, she would not move. But she would lead little bit with me when I carry a riding crop. When I first starting leading her, I would tap her with the crop, when she would take a step or two I would pet her and tell her GOOD GIRL. Then we would try again, for about 15 minutes, last year. My boyfriend said, he does not want to deal with a horse that does not know how to lead. I told him, that we both have to trained her together so she will do whatever anybody wants her to do, and not for a women handler/rider.

Do you have any knowledge of training the Icelandic Horse. this breed is a gaited horse. I know, my mare has to walk before she can ride. Any help would be very greatful.

Thank you, - Anne
P.S. I plan buying all of your books.

 

Hello Anne -

I have never worked with any Icelandic horses but I have worked with many kinds of horses and they all tend to respond the same way.

You must make it clear to her that she has to move forward. Rather than using a crop (which is short), use a long in-hand whip, about 40" long. Carry it in your left hand with the rest of the lead rope. Use your right
hand on the lead rope about 8-10 inches from the halter. Look straight ahead, not at your horse. Tell her "walk on" with an inviting, encouraging tone and if she doesn't move, instantly tap her on the hip with the whip and say "walk on" again.

Keep facing forward and stay next to her shoulder and start walking yourself. If you look at your horse, it tends to stop her.
Once she gets going, keep walking briskly and tap her if she even thinks about stopping, saying "walk on" as you do. Pretty soon, she will associate your voice with the command and you won't need to tap her. Try not to do a lot of other talking or it could confuse her.

It is best if you don't stop and praise and pet her after only a step or two because what you are praising her for is stopping! You should praise her with your voice as the both of you are walking - you don't need to pet her.

You would gain much from How To Think Like A Horse

and also from 101 Longeing and Long Lining Exercises
which has a complete set of in-hand exercises that your horse would benefit from.

Good luck.