Difference between revisions of "Catch a Wild Horse"

Horses are naturally prey animals. As a result, it’s not always easy to catch them, whether for riding or veterinary care. While some horses may tamely accept a halter, others have a more wild disposition. Learn how to catch your horse safely and effectively. Only catch horses that belong to you. Do not attempt to catch a genuinely wild horse. In the United States, wild horses and burros living on public lands are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management.<ref name="rf1"> http://www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/92-195.htm</ref><ref name="rf2"> https://www.propublica.org/article/missing-what-happened-to-wild-horses-tom-davis-bought-from-the-govt</ref> Do not interfere with any wild horses.

#Catch the other horses in the field first. Some horses dislike being left alone. Or, your horse might have a special friend; if the friend is caught, she will let herself be caught, too.<ref name="rf3"> http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horse-care/horse-care-tips/solving-catching-problems-38733</ref>

#Carry the halter shank in the hand near the horse and the halter in the hand farther from the horse. <ref name="rf4"> http://4-hyd.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/43063</ref> Do not try to hide the halter; your goal is to calmly bring the horse under control, not attempt to trick the horse. You also don’t want to have to make a sudden move once you’re close and need the halter out.

#Approach the horse from the side and front. Always approach at an angle, never from directly behind or in front. Horses have blind spots in front of their noses, under their heads, and directly behind them. You want to avoid frightening them with sudden sounds, movements, or touch from those directions.<ref name="rf5"> http://nasdonline.org/1039/d000837/approaching-catching-and-haltering-horses-safely.html</ref>

#Be slow, quiet, but positive as you approach the horse. Don’t express any anxiety or nervousness.<ref name="rf4" /> Walk casually, without looking the horse in the eye. Stop every so often to pick some grass: the idea is to get the horse curious and interested in you, rather than frightened.<ref name="rf3" />

#* Speak to your horse.<ref name="rf4" /> Keeping a soft, gentle tone, use your voice to let your horse know that you’re approaching, especially if she can’t see you the whole time.<ref name="rf5" />

#* Rub your horse’s shoulder when you are close enough. This will give reassurance.<ref name="rf4" />

#Pay attention to the horse’s reactions. Slow down if she starts to move away.<ref name="rf4" /> If your horse’s ears are pinned back or rapidly swiveling, he may be frightened or overwhelmed. Move even more slowly and offer gentle reassurance. On the other hand, if his ears are forward and open, he’s interested, and you can keep progressing.<ref name="rf6">http://equusmagazine.com/article/how-to-read-your-horses-body-language-8577</ref>

#Ease the halter shank over the horse’s neck. Hold it in place with one hand and use your other hand to halter the horse, moving as slowly as possible. Hold the halter open to get it over the horse’s nose without tickling her or blocking a nostril.<ref name="rf4" />

#* Never tie a rope around the horse’s neck.<ref name="rf5" />

#Do not chase the horse.<ref name="rf7"> http://equusmagazine.com/article/what-to-do-when-your-horse-gets-loose-8634</ref> You will never outrun a horse. In addition, whether you are in a large field or a small corral, you do not want your horse to panic or bolt. If the horse is snorting or rearing, wait. Stand, talking quietly or rattling a treat to engage the horse’s attention and help him calm down.

#* If your horse is in a dangerous place, you can herd him by placing yourself so that, in moving away from you, he moves toward a safer place. You might be able to herd him into a corral of some sort, where he can more safely calm down and become approachable.<ref name="rf7" />

#* Know your limits. If you can’t catch this horse safely, let a more experienced horse handler lead the way instead.<ref name="rf4" />

#Start taming your horse from the time she’s a foal. Establish yourself as a member of her herd rather than as a predator.<ref name="rf8"> http://horseandrider.com/article/hard-to-catch-horse-23593</ref>

#* Touch your foal, speaking to her and getting her used to human contact and interaction, including being caught.<ref name="rf9"> http://naturalhorseworld.com/newsite/welcome-world/</ref>  

#* Intervening in the foal’s early hours, and especially following protocols that call for restraining a newborn foal in order to desensitize her, have not been shown to be effective.<ref name="rf10">http://research.vet.upenn.edu/HavemeyerEquineBehaviorLabHomePage/ReferenceLibraryHavemeyerEquineBehaviorLab/HavemeyerWorkshops/HorseBehaviorandWelfare1316June2002/HorseBehaviorandWelfare2/IntensiveEarlyHandlingofNeonatalFoalsMare/tabid/3118/Default.aspx</ref>

#Reward your horse. Give your horse a food reward when he accepts being caught.<ref name="rf3" /> If your horse is really reluctant, you might want to offer rewards for smaller achievements, too, such as standing still as you approach and allowing you to touch his neck.

#* Although your horse might enjoy getting his withers scratched, food rewards are more effective in training and in generating your horse’s interest in humans.<ref name="rf11">http://www.thehorse.com/articles/32101/study-food-rewards-can-improve-horse-training </ref> However, if you know your horse really appreciates a nice scratch or soothing grooming, try rewarding him with that as well.  

#* You can also try limiting his food and drink to a small corral for a week or two. Open the gate at random, unpredictable intervals, so that your horse learns to come running when he sees you.<ref name="rf12"> http://www.parelli.com/how-to-catch-a-horse.html</ref>

#Spend time catching your horse, rewarding him, and then releasing him. You don’t want your horse to associate being caught only with work or the veterinarian. Catching your horse repeatedly only to give him a treat will help to build a more positive set of associations with the entire process <ref name="rf8" />

#Make a light-hearted game out of approaching your horse. Once you’ve put a halter and lead rope on your horse, rub him with the end of the rope and make sure he’s feeling calm and happy. Then, stand at the end of the rope and start approaching him. Try different styles of approach – walking, skipping, jumping – and different speeds, seeing how many he’ll tolerate without flinching or moving. In between, rub and soothe him again.<ref name="rf12" />

#Establish a routine around catching all of your horses. Call them all from the pasture into a corral using a consistent signal, such as a whistle, and rewarding them for coming. Catch the most willing horse first, and give her a scratch or a treat. Then work your way through the horses until you get to the one you want.<ref name="rf8" />