I have a gelding that is VERY difficult to catch! I have tried everything that I know of!!! Carrots, treats, food,... He will not come unless he decides its time to come in. When you go out to catch him and its before his time, he runs... very fast away.. He has even fallen a couple times doing this. He is an older gelding and in a pasture with around 10 other horses. (all of which are very easy to catch.. haha!)

Any suggestions!?!

Bring everyone else in.  Leave him out alone.  Feed the ones who are in (only) and make sure he can hear that you're doing so.  After a few repetitions (heck, may only take the first time) he should be more receptive to the idea.

A little more information about you and your gelding would be helpful. How long have you had him? How long has he been where he's at? Does he run away from everyone or just you? Do you ride him at all (when you can catch him)? Has anyone ridden him before? And if so, how much? Is he in a boarding situation? Is he your first horse? How much do you know about horses in general? How big is the pasture he's in? Are there any corrals, pens or arenas you could isolate him in? 

I have not had him very long... just over 4 months. He has been where he is for several years. He runs from everyone.. the groom, stable hands, owner, me, previous owner, kiddos. I try to ride him 3 times a week (when we can catch him) He is 18 and has been ridden before. His previous owner didn't get to ride very much. She told me he has always been this way.. she used to have two horses and ever since the other one passed away, this has gotten worse.. (several years ago is when this happened). He is boarded. He is in a pasture probably somewhere around 8 acres with around 10 other horses during the day. At night he comes in.. (when he can be caught.) He is not my first horse.. I am pretty knowledgable (althought know I still have lots to learn) There is a round pen that isn't used very much just outside of the pasture.

The funny thing about the being fearful.. I don't think he is.. After really watching him, I almost think hes playing.. Kinda like a "chase".. if you turn your back to him... he tries to sneak up on you and "tag" you.. haha.. It really is a funny situation..it a conundrum, thats for sure!

Thanks for helping!

bylderchic:

.. if you turn your back to him... he tries to sneak up on you and "tag" you..

He's not playing tag. He's looking for the proper response from you so he can "join up". The next time he does that quietly turn to him without looking him in the eyes, give him a rub on the forehead and slowly walk away. He may start to follow you. In an open pasture situation you're actually using the advance & retreat method of drawing him in. Essentially it's the same as join up but ends a little differently.

Thank you so much!!!

 This is definitely going to be a fun experience for both of us I think!!

 Ok. Just happy to report... I had my first successful "join up" in the pasture today..  Came up to me, trotted away when I presented the halter, I turned my back to him, he came back and nudged my arm, I turned around and he ran away again. AFter we repeated this three times, he let me halter him and he loved on me. 

 

I can't say enough how much I thank everyone for their  help and advise!! I am so excited!

Good job! I hope your friend who bought a horse from you can be successful with him, too, with the same kind of horsemanship.

bylderchic:

 Ok. Just happy to report... I had my first successful "join up" in the pasture today..  Came up to me, trotted away when I presented the halter, I turned my back to him, he came back and nudged my arm, I turned around and he ran away again. AFter we repeated this three times, he let me halter him and he loved on me. 

 

I can't say enough how much I thank everyone for their  help and advise!! I am so excited!

Congratulations! Well done! ~FH