Training Tip: Catching a Loose Horse

Question: While leading my mare, I had to let go of the lead rope because I got stuck in the mud. At first, she stayed close by me and nibbled on scraps of hay. However, as I approached her, she took off running and bucking and didn’t stop until she found more food. I did not chase her and acted disinterested in her as I approached her and she let me catch her. I took her to the roundpen, and she did great. Do you have any suggestions that I can put in my toolbox to catch her more quickly if this happens again? – stephaniegiesbrecht

Clinton’s Answer: It sounds like you’re doing a great job with your mare. The only advice I’d give you is to keep practicing what you’re doing. The roundpenning exercises are how you teach your horse to “catch you” and reinforce to the horse that you can control his feet without a halter and lead rope. Your horse learns that the most comfortable place to be is next to you.

It sounds like your mare has a good understanding of the concept of the roundpenning exercises and just needs more practice to make coming up to you when you cue her an automatic response.

When she took off running and thought about playing the “catch me if you can” game, you did a great job of not acting like a predator and were smart to use passive body language and act like you could have cared less about getting a hold of her. When you approach a horse directly with active body language, you just drive him away more.

With all that being said, from time to time, no matter how well trained they are, your horse is going to be a horse. Do my horses ever chump me when they’re feeling a little fresh? Yes. But because of their training, it doesn’t take much to get them back in line. The same will go for your mare. By the sounds of it, you’ve already got a great start.

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