Training First Horse

[Emily_P]

Well, I'm new here so hello all. I'm Emily. :)

I have recently purchased a BLM Mustang. She's 12, hasn't been...wild... for some time. She's been a brood mare for a while, and isn't trained to ride. She does lead beautifully and has a very nice disposition. So, here's the issue... Catching her in the pasture. I can get within about 5 feet of her before she walks off. I really am not a 'chase and corner' type of person since I figure in the long term it's probably counter-productive. So what I've been doing recently is just wandering around the pasture and getting ever slightly closer to her, then walking off before she really has the opportunity to leave. Haven't gotten quite to her yet but I figure with patience I will and she'll feel less compelled to run in the future. I'm among company that thinks I should just corner her and have it done with so I'm just looking for second, and third opinions..suggestions if you have them.

Thanks,
~Emily~

[MegLovesOpie]

Hey Emily,

I've trained 3 horses in the last few years and I just bought myself a precious Haflinger that I'm training. So we're kind of in the same boat! Opie, my pony, is hard to catch as well. I like that you don't like to 'chase and corner'. I've never seen anyone have luck with that, and it always just spooks the horse and causes further problems. I'm a huge believer in Parelli Natural Horsemanship. If you EVER get the chance, go to one of his clinics; they're life-changing. His program would do wonders for you and your mare. (Let me know how she progresses! I've ALWAYS wanted a BLM horse--good for you!:D)

My advice for your mare is to just go in the pasture and let her come to you. Plan on this taking up to an hour or more. Wait and wait until she comes of her own accord. It may seem like it takes forever, but think of it this way--it sure can't take 24 hours! She will respect you all the more if you just go in the pasture and chill out. She'll learn that you aren't always getting her to make her do something. If she thinks of you as just a fixture in the pasture, she'll become intrigued and will want to come check you out. Now I'm not a big believer in bribery. Once your mare comes up to you certainly give her a treat, but don't bribe her into coming up to you. When you have finally caught her, rub her all over and let her know she's a very good girl. Then, let her go. She will become easier and easier to catch the more you do this.

I hope that helps and I hope it works!

Best of luck to you! What do you plan on doing with her?

Meg and Opie

[MegLovesOpie]

I just re-read your post, and I want to commend you on all you've done so far. You definitely have the right idea in mind. Your patience and 'just wandering' is exactly spot on. This is actually a Native American training method called 'shadowing'. just wanted to add that! Keep that patience and understanding up, and you'll wind up with a beautifully sweet, trusting mare. :)

[blahblahblah]

hello!!! and i totally love Pat Parelli!!!! and wow ok im proud of you for doing what you have done so far!!! so keep it up!!!
blahblahblah :)

[cutting_horse_maniac]

HI~

I must say you have gotten her going really good i sounds like. I am in the same boat as you. I have a 7 year old mare that the beginning of this year she had NEVER been touched by a human. Now, I have her following me in the pasture with no lead line and I am able to saddle ehr and sit on her.

How I got her to allow me to catch her was pretty basic. It starts out by cornering her and then catching her but I promise it gets easier. But I make her let me catch her before I feed her. I also tie her up to eat so that then I can just go grab her and walk her around the pasture. I ahve never once had ANY reason to hit my horse in any way and I do not believe in any kind of whip. I like bare hands on horse contact I don't even use gloves.

But if this method does not work for you, there is a horse trainer by the name of Monty Roberts. He is excellent and my friend used his methods on her mustang from BLM. Her mustang walks up to her in a 5 acre pasture and when she rides him it is like poetry in motion and he has never once bucked with her when she broke him.

So here are just some ideas. I wish you the best of luck with your mustang.

Keep Grin'n
cutting_horse_maniac