
Warning! Difficult-to-Catch Horse!
There are many reasons why some horses are reluctant to be caught or even run away at the sight of a person. Sometimes catching such a horse can take hours. People try different tricks, like cornering the horse in a smaller space, approaching with a treat bucket, hiding a lead rope, or sneaking up from behind another horse. People are naturally creative, and horses are no less inventive at dodging situations they’d rather avoid. These tricks may have worked for us once or twice, but it’s important to remember that they don’t solve the root problem. In fact, they can make a horse even more resistant to being caught. Let’s try to understand why the horse is behaving this way, and don’t let anyone convince you it’s out of spite!
Some horses will allow us to approach them—unless we have a halter or lead rope. This suggests that the horse might not mind the human presence but associates the lead rope with something unpleasant. Sensitive horses don’t need much for this association to stick. One approach to counter this is to help the horse start seeing the halter or lead as something positive! Perhaps until now, the horse has learned to distinguish when a person is just saying hello and when they’re coming with a lead rope, which means work. Let’s turn that around! Make the halter something pleasant by using positive reinforcement (R+):
- The horse allows you to touch its neck with the lead rope—reward it.
- The horse touches the halter with its nose—reward it again.
After sessions, give the horse time off from training so it doesn’t start associating these lessons with inevitable work. Keep the intensity of each session realistic, as horses dislike rushing, and training should feel positive, not pressuring. At the next stage, let the lead rope mean a pleasant walk, some scratching, or anything the horse enjoys. When the horse’s aversion to the lead has lessened, start mixing it up: sometimes leading to the arena, sometimes to a nice patch of grass. Let them stay curious about what’s next.
If a horse walks away as soon as it sees a person in the field, try handling it similarly to the lead rope approach, but start at an even earlier stage. A horse moving away gives us valuable information about how close we can be while staying neutral. For some, it’s three meters, while others react from thirty! This awareness lets us practice moving closer and then backing off, desensitizing the horse to our presence. Find the balance between a neutral stance and a gentle approach. Remember to take pauses; standing still reduces unnecessary tension. Try shifting your weight subtly from foot to foot to stay neutral and let the horse adjust.
Also, note your angle of approach. Ideally, position yourself at about a 60-90 degree angle to the horse and approach at a 30-45 degree path from the horse’s head. This way, you avoid directing pressure toward the hind end, reducing any “chasing” feeling.
If your horse is naturally curious, try sitting in the field and waiting for it to approach. Don’t get discouraged if it takes longer than five minutes—it’s worth the wait to let the horse make the choice.
However, low energy won’t always solve everything. Some horses will approach quickly on their own terms, only to run off again with pinned ears, even entering our space in an unfriendly way. Such situations require skillful handling. Improve your control over your personal space, and don’t let the horse approach without permission. If it ignores your cues (having a groundwork whip can help to set boundaries), you can ask it to move off and trot a bit, reminding it that getting too close isn’t always free of consequence. The goal is not to scare but to assertively set boundaries. If the horse keeps a respectful distance and focuses on you, soften your energy, let it stop, and return to the approach-and-retreat method.
If you’re uncertain about which technique to use, ask an experienced horse handler or consult a trainer. Every horse is unique, and what works for one might not be the right solution for another.
Ola Najman
fot. Cecylia Łęszczak

