Looking for advice for a troubled pony

[kimberlyT.]

We have a small farm and we own two horses and a pony. The pony was puchased in October. He is an 8 year old Hackney/mix gelding. Once we catch him he is wonderful. He loves to go on trail rides. Catching him is the problem. The man we bought him from said the previous owner was an elderly man with bad legs. He would send his dogs to round up the horses and something else must have happened. If my daughters or I walk to him without a halter or lead he will let us rub him. He is reluctant, but he will not run. If any of us walk toward him with a halter or lead he runs. We tried feeding him a little grain and approaching, but he still runs. I don't know if someone beat him with a lead or halter in the past. My husband is ready to sell him. I work with him as often as I can. Sometimes I just sit in the field holding a lead rope and halter talking softly to him. He will come near me, but if I make any movement he runs. Maybe I will have to feed him in the ring and chase him in the ring when I want to ride him. I may get tired of that too and sell him. Our other horses are wonderful. We have been riding them and leaving him behind. He is smart and I am hoping he makes the connection. If you play well with the humans and allow us to catch you, you get to go for a trail ride and you get a treat. If you don't you stay home and you don't get a treat...Would anyone have any advice?

[Div]

I've got a Thoroughbred mare who is exactly like this. It's not always from being mistreated; in her case, she doesn't want to work, so she runs away!

Parelli suggests not sneaking up with the halter hidden as it teaches your horse not to trust you (I agree, but as a last resort this can work... just
don't make it a habit).

Here's a couple of things you can try:

Catch your horse and take it to a small yard or stable. Take off the halter, rub the horse all over with it. Put the halter back on. Take it off. Put it back on. Do this until the horse is bored with the whole process.

Start catching the horse and give it a small feed twice a day (even if it's just a handful of sweet feed or nice hay). Stand next to the horse, holding the lead rope, while it eats.

Wander around in the paddock with the halter. Try to get near the horse, but don't attempt to put the halter on; just let it dangle by your side. If the horse runs, let it run, then follow it. The may or may not work; it works for my mare. She gets sick of running around and after about 10 minutes, she stands still to be haltered.

Put on the halter at every chance. Make it a common event that the horse doesn't really notice. The more the halter is used, the less notice the horse will take of it.

Hard-to-catch horses are a real pain in the neck, so I hope yours works out.

[Brooke]

I've been training horses and ponies for a long time. I actually own a little hackney( I will post a pic of later)! You need to get him in a paddock that is not to large. No bigger than 100 by 100 feet. Then you need to do the opposite of what your trying to get him to do. You need to pretend you want to scare him away as soon as he tries to leave. I know it shounds wierd but it's a dominance thing horses do. You need to walk or run to each corner that he tries to go to. Chase him away with a rope or lunge whip, dosen't matter what. As soon as he turns to see what is going on with you put your arms down and calmly walk towards him. If he turns and runs, chase him away. Do this till he tries to come to you. When he does, pet him and praise him! Eventually if you do it everyday you will not need a halter, he will follow you,because you are the leader and you are his safety!