How To Catch & Bring In A Horse
This section is aimed at horses that are easy to catch.
If your horse is difficult to catch there is a page in the problem solving section to help you with this.
Note- it is a good idea to wear boots with a anti-slip sole and ankle protection and also your hat and gloves.
Grab your headcollar or control halter making sure it is held so you will not trip up on any of it.
Shut the gate as you go in
Walk up to your horse towards its shoulder, never his front end or hindquarters. This is so that you do not get charged at or kicked. As you approach, talk quietly or call their name.
Pat your horse and offer a treat if you wish to, and it is not going to cause jealousy with other horses.
Gently put the lead rope over your horse’s neck so you have control.
Put the headcollar or halter on making sure it fits correctly with a 2 finger gap below the projecting cheek bone, and between the nose and nose band.
Walk straight out of the field making sure no other horse follows you out of the gate and close it securely.
How To Turn Out Horses
Put on a headcollar, control halter or bridle, whatever you feel gives you the best control of your horse.
NOTE -You should always wear yard boots with a non slip sole. It is also good practice to wear a hat and gloves if you have a young or unpredictable horse or any unusual circumstances, for example moving to a new field, introducing a new horse etc. If in doubt, protect yourself as much as possible.
However many are going to the field, all go together in single file, remembering to keep two horses length between each horse.
Open the gate and enter one at a time. The first one walks along the fence and turns in so the handler is nearest the fence, but with at least a horse’s length between the handler and the fence. Everyone else lines up facing the fence with at least 2 horses length between them.
The last person shuts the gate and gets into line with the others.
Everyone prepares to let their horses go by getting the clips and buckles ready to undo.
When everyone is ready someone says “now” and everybody lets their horses go at the same time. All the handlers should leave the field as quickly and safely as possible.
NOTE If your horses are probably going to misbehave, I would do this with only a few horses at a time, turning the most difficult out first.
Never chase your horse away as you need to be his safe space that he can rely on.
Final Thoughts
When you catch your horse and bring them in, it is their first impression of you, so it should set the tone for the rest of your time together.
Therefore it is important that it is done in a calm and friendly way, and the time is given to solve any issues you may have in this area, so your connection is right from the first moment you meet.