How to Catch a Horse
Approach the horse from the front and slightly to one side., Start walking toward the horse slowly., Hold your arms down., Don’t make any sudden movements., If the horse runs away, don’t go running after it., Reach out slowly to pet the horse on the...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Approach the horse from the front and slightly to one side.
She should be able to see you coming.
Sneaking up on the horse from behind can startle it.
Make sure you have your rope, halter, and maybe a treat with you before you go out to catch your horse.
Talk to the the horse as you approach.
Use a quiet calming tone to let her know you are coming and that you don't mean her any harm. -
Step 2: Start walking toward the horse slowly.
Take easy deliberate steps.
Don’t rush after the horse or it will get scared and run away from you.
If the horse seems startled or if it turns away, stop and wait for her to settle down before advancing again., Don’t approach with the halter outstretched.
This will startle the horse.
It may recognize the halter and panic.
Also, keeping your arms down will make you appear more neutral and less threatening., Waving your hands or advancing too quickly toward the horse will cause it to run away., If the horse does get spooked and makes a run for it just stay where you are.
Chasing after it will only startle it even more.
Instead, wait for it to stop.
Give the horse a few minutes to feel safe again, then start advancing slowly and try once more. , Be gentle so as not to startle the horse.
Your main goal here is to come off as nonthreatening as possible.
Use smooth even strokes.
Give the horse time to get used to your presence., This is called giving the horse “release." After you have spent a few seconds caressing the face or neck, step back in full view of the horse.
Stand with a nonthreatening pose, arms down, feet together, to show the horse that you mean it no harm. , After you’ve given the horse some “release” step back toward it and start caressing the face and neck again.
This way you are building trust with the horse.
Swat some flies out of the horse’s face if there are any.Try talking to the horse in a calm voice.
It may not know what you are saying, but the sound of your voice can show you mean it no harm. , Keep this pattern up for about four or five minutes.
The horse should start to calm down.
Each time you advance to pet it again, spend a little more time with it.
You’ll know the horse is calm if it lowers its head to receive your caress or if it continues to eat or remains relatively still while you are touching it., Once the horse is calm, approach it one last time.
Pet the face and neck and as you do, slide the halter onto the horse's nose.
Bring your other arm up around the neck to secure the clasp around the back of the head.
After it is secure, continue to pet the horse and keep it calm., The halter should be snug but not so tight it is digging into the horse's face.
There should be enough slack under the horse's face so that you can slip two fingers inbetween the horse and the halter without much resistance. , Once the halter is secure, let some of the slack from the rope hang between you and the horse.
Tugging too hard or pulling the horse with too much force will anger or startle it., Pull lightly on the rope, just enough so that the horse can feel the pressure and understand that you want it to follow you., When you can, go out into the field with a treat or some grains and visit the horse.
Approach it slowly, feed it the treat, and then walk away.
The horse will learn that being approached by a human is not always a threatening thing.
Then, when you do want to go out and catch your horse, she will be more open to having you approach her., When you do catch the horse and bring it in to do some work or saddle it up for a ride, make sure you are doing everything you can to make it pleasant for the horse.Bring her some treats.
Feed her some grains after she gets caught.
Give the horse a thorough grooming.
Vary up the work to keep your horse interested.
Praise your horse when she does something well. , The more often you take your horse out, even just to lead her down a short path or give her a new area to run around in, the more likely she is to be willing to be caught. , It’s important to create a relationship with your horse and to give her time to play on her own and with other horses.
Take your horse for an easy trail ride.Spend some extra time grooming and pampering your horse.
Give her treats.Let her out with other horses she enjoys being with. -
Step 3: Hold your arms down.
-
Step 4: Don’t make any sudden movements.
-
Step 5: If the horse runs away
-
Step 6: don’t go running after it.
-
Step 7: Reach out slowly to pet the horse on the face and neck.
-
Step 8: Step back after a couple of strokes.
-
Step 9: Pet the horse again.
-
Step 10: Repeat petting and giving the horse release.
-
Step 11: Slide the halter onto the horse.
-
Step 12: Don’t strap the halter on tight.
-
Step 13: Avoid tugging hard on the rope.
-
Step 14: Lead the horse slowly.
-
Step 15: Visit your horse in the field often without intending to catch it.
-
Step 16: Make getting caught easy and enjoyable for the horse.
-
Step 17: Take your horse out often.
-
Step 18: Let your horse have fun with you and on her own.
Detailed Guide
She should be able to see you coming.
Sneaking up on the horse from behind can startle it.
Make sure you have your rope, halter, and maybe a treat with you before you go out to catch your horse.
Talk to the the horse as you approach.
Use a quiet calming tone to let her know you are coming and that you don't mean her any harm.
Take easy deliberate steps.
Don’t rush after the horse or it will get scared and run away from you.
If the horse seems startled or if it turns away, stop and wait for her to settle down before advancing again., Don’t approach with the halter outstretched.
This will startle the horse.
It may recognize the halter and panic.
Also, keeping your arms down will make you appear more neutral and less threatening., Waving your hands or advancing too quickly toward the horse will cause it to run away., If the horse does get spooked and makes a run for it just stay where you are.
Chasing after it will only startle it even more.
Instead, wait for it to stop.
Give the horse a few minutes to feel safe again, then start advancing slowly and try once more. , Be gentle so as not to startle the horse.
Your main goal here is to come off as nonthreatening as possible.
Use smooth even strokes.
Give the horse time to get used to your presence., This is called giving the horse “release." After you have spent a few seconds caressing the face or neck, step back in full view of the horse.
Stand with a nonthreatening pose, arms down, feet together, to show the horse that you mean it no harm. , After you’ve given the horse some “release” step back toward it and start caressing the face and neck again.
This way you are building trust with the horse.
Swat some flies out of the horse’s face if there are any.Try talking to the horse in a calm voice.
It may not know what you are saying, but the sound of your voice can show you mean it no harm. , Keep this pattern up for about four or five minutes.
The horse should start to calm down.
Each time you advance to pet it again, spend a little more time with it.
You’ll know the horse is calm if it lowers its head to receive your caress or if it continues to eat or remains relatively still while you are touching it., Once the horse is calm, approach it one last time.
Pet the face and neck and as you do, slide the halter onto the horse's nose.
Bring your other arm up around the neck to secure the clasp around the back of the head.
After it is secure, continue to pet the horse and keep it calm., The halter should be snug but not so tight it is digging into the horse's face.
There should be enough slack under the horse's face so that you can slip two fingers inbetween the horse and the halter without much resistance. , Once the halter is secure, let some of the slack from the rope hang between you and the horse.
Tugging too hard or pulling the horse with too much force will anger or startle it., Pull lightly on the rope, just enough so that the horse can feel the pressure and understand that you want it to follow you., When you can, go out into the field with a treat or some grains and visit the horse.
Approach it slowly, feed it the treat, and then walk away.
The horse will learn that being approached by a human is not always a threatening thing.
Then, when you do want to go out and catch your horse, she will be more open to having you approach her., When you do catch the horse and bring it in to do some work or saddle it up for a ride, make sure you are doing everything you can to make it pleasant for the horse.Bring her some treats.
Feed her some grains after she gets caught.
Give the horse a thorough grooming.
Vary up the work to keep your horse interested.
Praise your horse when she does something well. , The more often you take your horse out, even just to lead her down a short path or give her a new area to run around in, the more likely she is to be willing to be caught. , It’s important to create a relationship with your horse and to give her time to play on her own and with other horses.
Take your horse for an easy trail ride.Spend some extra time grooming and pampering your horse.
Give her treats.Let her out with other horses she enjoys being with.
About the Author
Edward James
Edward James has dedicated 4 years to mastering lifestyle and practical guides. As a content creator, Edward focuses on providing actionable tips and step-by-step guides.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: