You’re standing in the pasture, halter in hand, watching your horse canter circles around you like it’s the Kentucky Derby. It’s frustrating, confusing, and, let’s be honest, a little embarrassing. If your horse has suddenly decided that being caught isn’t on their to-do list, don’t worry—this behaviour is fixable. With the right approach, you can turn it into a learning opportunity and strengthen your bond with your horse. Here’s how to address this head-on.
Step 1: Make Running Your Idea
When your horse runs away, it’s tempting to follow them and try to corner them. Don’t. Instead, use their decision to move as an opportunity to take control of the situation. If they want to run, make running your idea:
Keep them moving: Send them off with a purposeful, calm energy. Use your body language to encourage them to move forward and keep going. You’re not chasing them; you’re directing them.
Change directions: Frequently ask them to turn and go the other way. This makes them pay attention to you instead of just galloping mindlessly around the pasture.
Look for signs of relaxation: Watch for your horse to start licking and chewing, lowering their head, or turning an ear toward you. These are signs they’re ready to engage and might want to stop running.
When they’re ready to come in, soften your energy—turn sideways, lower your shoulders, and take a step back to invite them toward you. If they don’t approach, send them off again and repeat the process.
Step 2: Reward the Try
Horses learn best through clear, consistent feedback. The moment your horse shows any sign of wanting to approach—even if it’s just a slight step toward you—acknowledge it by softening your body language. Give them time to come to you without pressure. Once they do, offer a reward, whether that’s a rub on their favourite scratch spot or simply giving them a moment to relax.
Step 3: Build Respect Through Groundwork
A horse that avoids being caught is often testing boundaries or showing a lack of respect. To rebuild that respect, focus on groundwork exercises once you’ve caught them. This will reinforce your leadership and help your horse see you as someone worth following:
Work on yielding their hindquarters and forequarters.
Practice backing up and moving sideways on cue.
Keep sessions short and focused, so your horse remains engaged.
The more consistent you are, the more your horse will look to you for guidance.
Step 4: Make Being Caught a Positive Experience
Sometimes, horses develop negative associations with being caught. If being haltered always means hard work or leaving the pasture, they’ll naturally resist. To change this mindset:
Catch and release: Occasionally halter your horse, spend a moment with them, and then let them go. This shows them that being caught doesn’t always mean leaving the pasture or working.
Offer rewards: A scratch in their favourite spot or a bit of hand grazing can go a long way in creating positive associations.
Step 5: Get the Barn Staff on the Same Page
If your horse is avoiding barn staff but coming to you, there’s a chance they’ve learned they can get away with avoiding certain people. This inconsistency reinforces the behaviour. Make sure everyone who handles your horse is using the same approach to catching them, so they don’t get mixed signals.
Step 6: Stay Patient and Calm
The most important part of correcting this behaviour is your mindset. Avoid frustration or anger—your horse will pick up on it, and it will only make them more resistant. Instead, approach every session with calmness and clarity. Be consistent, reward small wins, and keep sessions short to prevent overwhelming your horse.
Final Thoughts
A horse that won’t be caught isn’t trying to frustrate you—they’re responding to patterns and behaviours that have worked for them in the past. By staying patient, redirecting their energy, and making being caught a positive experience, you can quickly turn this around. Before long, your horse will come running to you, eager to see what’s next.
Remember, every interaction with your horse is an opportunity to build trust and respect. With consistency and calm leadership, you’ll not only correct this behaviour but also strengthen your bond for the long haul.
Transform Your Horsemanship Inside the CCU Club
If you’re ready to take these strategies to the next level and create a safe, willing, and soft horse—without relying on bigger bits or constant correction—consider joining Building Trust Not Tension: The CCU Club.
Inside the club, you’ll dive deep into our Collaborative Horsemanship philosophy, learning proven methods to:
Build a stronger, more trusting partnership with your horse.
Overcome common challenges like rushing, bolting, or resistance.
Understand your horse’s mindset and how to communicate clearly.
Gain access to exclusive video tutorials, step-by-step training guides, and personalized support.
Our members have experienced incredible transformations, from regaining confidence with difficult horses to creating true harmony in the saddle. This isn’t just about fixing problems—it’s about learning how to work with your horse, not against them, to create a bond built on trust and understanding.
Ready to get started? Join the CCU Club today and start building the partnership you’ve always dreamed of. Let’s turn your challenges into triumphs and help you and your horse thrive together. Click here to learn more and join now!
– KJS
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