Be honest with yourself, do you always work your pony,
ridden, lunge etc every time you catch him and only leave him in his
field when he is rested? Have you increased his workload lately or maybe
overdoing the schooling? He could have become stale and bored. If this
is the case your pony could always associate you with working. Try catching
him, giving him a nice groom then turning him back out. This way he can
learn that seeing you brings relaxation and not just exercise and work.
If you are the type of person that is always in a hurry,
you could actually be ‘telling’ your pony to go away with
your manner and body language. By approaching the horse walking straight
up to him, striding across the field and looking at him you are putting
across to the horse an assertive or aggressive manner. Your horse could
respond to this ‘language’ by moving away from you. As I
wrote in the ‘loading article’, “eyes on eyes” means
go away. Your strong stance is also telling your horse to stay away from
you, especially if you are tall. Imagine someone marching up to you and
straight at you in the face. You would probably do one of two things,
back away, (flight instinct) or stand up to them, (fight instinct).
If a group of you try cornering your pony with a lunge
line in the field – this can lead to a potentially dangerous situation.
Either the pony feels very threatened and kicks out at someone, (fight
instinct) or he tries to flee and runs through the line, (flight instinct)
causing possible injury to the pony burns to people holding the line.
He can also ‘give in’; once everyone has closed in on him
he takes on that resigned look and allows himself to be caught. I say ‘allow’ because
the pony is basically giving up, because he can see no way out of this
threatening situation. How sad I find that. If a pony felt they had to ‘give
in’, then surely this means he felt trapped and could see no solution
than to be captured. Must feel a bit like a fly in a spider’s web!
Here are a few more tips to easier catching. By the way
they are not quick fix solutions, but a guide to a more fulfilling partnership
with your pony.
1. Don’t only bring your pony in for work. Bring
him in for a haynet, feed, groom or just to spend some time enjoying
each other’s company.
2. When approaching your pony in the field walk at a
45-degree angle towards his shoulder.
3. Walk in ‘arcs’ towards him, if he takes
a step towards you take a step away.
4. Keep your eyes away from your ponies, look at him
from the corner of your eyes.
5. If he runs away from you and then puts his head down
to graze – chase after him and don’t let him eat. This way
you are still having some sort of control over your pony’s movements.
If he doesn’t want to go with you that’s fine – but
he doesn’t get the easy option of grazing. You must remember though,
that as soon as he looks at you or takes a step in your direction, you
have to turn passive and relaxed. He can learn that when he gives you
attention the pressure goes from him. In time he will learn to be with
you is easier than away from you.
6. Always give your pony plenty of praise when you eventually
catch him even it if takes all day! To catch and then punish him only
reminds him that you are a person best avoided.
7. By varying your pony’s exercise routine you
can ensure he is kept interested in his work. Don’t let him become
stale and robotic, by endless repetitions of the same old school movements.
Hopefully you will result in a pony that is always happy
to see you and comes running to you at the call of his name. The only
downside can be, you can’t get rid of your pony when you are trying
to de-dung the field and they are following you around like shadows!
It’s really difficult to pick up dung with your pony hanging onto
the end of the fork!! Still better that than endless hours spent trying
to catch them!
Enjoy your horses and ponies!
For further help contact:
Kathrine Wilson
07773 703276
email: info@alternativehorsesociety.co.uk
By Kathrine Wilson.
