If
you have a question for Cheski, send it to: Ask the Experts,
NZ Horse & Pony Magazine, PO Box 12965, Penrose, Auckland.
Alternatively, you can fax us on 09 634 2948 or e-mail us
at editor@horse-pony.co.nz,
remembering to include your postal address. Pen names may
be used, but anonymous letters will not be accepted. Letters
may be edited for length and clarity
Q : I have a four-year-old Clyde-cross gelding, who I have had for about five months. I am having problems catching him. He walks up to me in the paddock – if I have nothing in my hands he is fine, but as soon as he sees a rope, he bolts. He is in a paddock with my filly who hangs around and doesn’t take off.
I leave a halter on him all the time, but this morning he had somehow removed it. When I went to catch him, I was able to put my arms near his neck but as soon as he saw the halter he bolted. The only way I am going to get the halter back on him is to get him into some yards.
I spend a lot of time with my horses, grooming and feeding etc, so I don’t think it’s a riding thing. What do you think? Any advice would be appreciated. I have been riding and have owned horses for more than 30 years.
Lynda, Kawerau
A : Hi Lynda, the reactions of a horse that’s choosing not to be caught used to be able to activate my frustration and irritation emotions quicker than any thing else. I used to feel myself getting particularly riled if all I wanted to do was catch the little dear just to check under his cover to see if I needed to step up the groceries, and I found it particularly aggravating when the horse reacted as you’ve described above.
Thankfully, I can honestly use the past tense to describe my annoyance because now I am prepared to concede that if a horse doesn’t choose to be touched by me it’s because he doesn’t think I’m going to be a genuine buddy. I now realise that he’s exercising his divine right to decide who’s going to be his partner.
Have you ever avoided a situation where you might have to talk to someone you don’t want to? Ever slunk around a big shop carefully ducking and weaving to make sure that you aren’t engaged in conversation with someone you don’t chose to speak with? I have.
What lengths have you gone to avoid being touched by someone? You know those “lovely” people who insist on standing really close to and/or touching you?
Just writing that has reminded me of instances of panic that I’ve experienced (I have absolutely no justification for having been panicky – I haven’t been physically abused or threatened or anything like that) – I just hate feeling that I’m going to be trapped into having to communicate with someone when I’m not in right mind space.
Do you think there is any chance horses could feel the same way?
Why should they let us touch them? Because we “own” them?
The common comment on a horse like this is, “He’s difficult to catch but he’s fine once the rope is clipped up”. I’m sure he is. Once captured he’s learnt that the human response to his not obeying instructions is more trouble than it’s worth. He’s surrendered. You’ve caught him. You’ve won.
I think your four year-old is suspicious of your intentions. He is mistrusting because of what has happened to him in the past or because he’s of mistrusting personality and some equines (and humans) just are wary individuals. I’m not surprised to hear he’s a Clyde-cross as I have seen other members of this equine ethnic group react in the same way.
What to do? You need patience and absolutely no frustration. I doubt that he’s apprehensive of you but for some reason he’s concerned about what he’s going to have to do.
When we work with suspicious horses like your guy we are at pains to ask them the question “Why don’t you want to come to school today?” If they make catching a really big issue then when we’ve cornered them and a “surrender” has taken place we allow them to come to school to eat their lunch and their lessons of the day cover just two topics:
1. Can you finish this appetising little concoction in Position A?
2. How about this tasty morsel in Position B?”
I understand this to be called marketing.
We’re trying to sell the horses the idea that being attached to a human is a REALLY GOOD idea. To this end we are quick to divulge the WIIFH (What’s in it for him) benefits to the reluctant customer.
Aim for your young man to allow you to be connected to him; he’s going to get something to eat and there are no strings attached. When he will allow this, put on your best: “But wait… there’s more!” voice and sell the benefits of a couple of other FUN things he’s going to really enjoy.
You say that you don’t think it’s a riding thing because you spend a lot of time grooming and feeding but how do you KNOW it’s not a riding thing? Are you 100% certain that he enjoys your grooming and riding sessions as much as you do, or now you come to think about it, is he really happy and relaxed around you all the time?
I bet there’s at least one thing he does between the time that you clip up his lead rope and the beginning of your ride that make you now think, “Hmmm, perhaps he doesn’t really like that”. If this is the case, I guarantee something happens when you ride him that makes you think he needs some schooling.
I reckon if he needs some schooling, it’s because he’s finding something difficult. If he’s finding something difficult, could that be why he doesn’t want to “surrender” to you in the paddock?
Lynda, have patience and perseverance. Soften your thought process and commit to getting your guy to trust your honourable intentions. He’s concerned that you’re going to make him do something that he finds difficult. You might feel that other horses find this ‘something’ easy, but we’re all different and one individual’s ‘easy’ is another’s ‘difficult’.
As soon as you can respect, as opposed to belittle, his concerns about being caught, then sooner you will be on the road to understanding what his problem is. When you understand his problem you’ll instinctively put yourself in the right place at the right time with exactly the right mental energy to allow him to come to you for counselling.
