http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/2008/04/fridays-discussion-whats-your-training.html?commentPage=2
Nothing beats good old fashioned "walking down." I.E. you go out there when you have a lot of time on your hands and just walk after him. Don't chase, don't beg, don't plead :-) Just walk and try not to let him stop and rest. He will run, run, run away from you but eventually he will just get tired and give up. That's what you want. You catch him, give him a treat, and it won't take as long the next day. I have had it take 45 min - 1 hour but I have never had it not work.
From fhotd member 4H&H (in FHOTD blog comments)
http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/2008/04/fridays-discussion-whats-your-training.html?commentPage=2
I want to add to FHotD's post.
When you are walking him down, if he stops and LOOKS at you, stop for a moment. When you feel like he might stand, approach towards his shoulder. If he starts to move off, try to direct his movement by sideways movement on your part. (think a cutting horse, working a cow)
Then, when he stops and looks at you again, stop your movement. If he looks away, but doesn't move his feet - kiss or wave your hand at him. If he moves off, you move off again - if he looks at you again, stay still until you feel like he is relaxing. Then approach towards his shoulder.
I totally agree, try not to let him stop and rest if he is not paying attention to you.
It does really work.
Worst horse I ever had took about 45 minutes.
Worst horse I ever had (that I worked regularly) took about 35 minutes the first time, 20 minutes the second time, 10 minutes the next time, and just a few stops & approaches the times after that. This was a horse who belonged to a customer of my farrier. I went to catch & hold him, and so I was only working with him every 6 weeks, and there was still a noticeable improvement. The owner typically would catch with feed, but I didn't have that option (the feedroom was kept locked), and I don't like to use feed anyway - I think it's a crutch.
Don't walk straight to his head. Walk toward the shoulder. Use your body to control his direction.
From fhotd member 4H&H
http://fhotd64476.yuku.com/topic/4553?page=4
Timing is VERY important - it's the key.
Body language is important, too. Don't try to sneak. Be very matter of fact.
I think what happens is that the horse actually begins to think that he's already haltered - because you're always there, and are 'directing' his movements to some extent.
From fhotd member ponypimpmomma:
http://fhotd64476.yuku.com/topic/4553?page=9
I will "walk a pony down". It's not chasing and it doesn't tire me out.
If I have one that for whatever reason has suddenly decided it won't be caught that day I can get them easily (within five minutes) by walking them down.
Normally they will want to be where other horses are or if the others are in they will sorta want to be in the gate area. I just walk toward them, if they walk away I kinda follow or just walk around them blocking their ability to run off very far. They move, I move around them. If they run from me I let them go and run back to the area I'm in then start "walking after them" again.
What happens is they just realize there will be no peace. That I will walk around and be present until they just stop and let me catch them. Works like a dream though we rarely have this issue. Normally it's new ponies who haven't figured out the routine and that being caught is fine nothing bad will happen.
I will "walk a pony down". It's not chasing and it doesn't tire me out.
If I have one that for whatever reason has suddenly decided it won't be caught that day I can get them easily (within five minutes) by walking them down.
Normally they will want to be where other horses are or if the others are in they will sorta want to be in the gate area. I just walk toward them, if they walk away I kinda follow or just walk around them blocking their ability to run off very far. They move, I move around them. If they run from me I let them go and run back to the area I'm in then start "walking after them" again.
What happens is they just realize there will be no peace. That I will walk around and be present until they just stop and let me catch them. Works like a dream though we rarely have this issue. Normally it's new ponies who haven't figured out the routine and that being caught is fine nothing bad will happen.
