Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Hard to Catch or Halter
Summary
A horse that is hard to catch or halter is an altogether too common problem that reflects a lack of relationship between human and horse. It is not an inherent trait of your horse. It developed because the wrong cues were given to the horse at some point. This problem can be solved with proper training in a round pen.
This may not seem to be something that should concern your vet, but I believe there is a continuum between issues that have physical causes and those that are purely behavioral.
If you cannot catch your horse, it is likely that there are other "relationship" problems too. This deficiency affects the veterinary relationship: you are less likely to be able to catch and trailer your horse in an emergency. You may not be able to give medications or follow-up care; and you are more likely to get hurt.
This may not seem to be something that should concern your vet, but I believe there is a continuum between issues that have physical causes and those that are purely behavioral.
If you cannot catch your horse, it is likely that there are other "relationship" problems too. This deficiency affects the veterinary relationship: you are less likely to be able to catch and trailer your horse in an emergency. You may not be able to give medications or follow-up care; and you are more likely to get hurt.
-
Code Green
Contact Your Vet to Obtain Useful Advice & Resources- Some vets have valuable advice regarding behavioral and training issues.
your role
What To Do
If your horse is hard to catch or halter, please review and practice the related skill "Teach Horse to be Caught Easily" before an emergency arises. Contact your vet, who can recommend trainers in the area that may be able to help you solve specific problems. During the time that you are teaching your horse a better way, they may need to be kept in a small corral alone.What Not To Do
Do not wait until an emergency situation to address this issue. It is important for you learn to catch or halter your horse beforehand.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Very Common
your vet's role
If however, you are faced with an emergency and you cannot catch your horse, contact your vet for additional advice. Ideally, your vet is an experienced horse person who can catch your horse for you in an emergency.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Has this behavior developed recently?
- Was the horse every easy to catch?
- Is the horse now kept in a group of other horses?
- Did someone else catch the horse recently, and have any difficulty?
- What have you tried in order to solve the problem?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
