Catching the Uncatchable Horse

How to catch the uncatchable horse

Rene Fleming

ECPI University

Abstract

Abstract paragraph here. Ignore for English class.

Keywords: Uncatchable horse, curiosity, patience

The uncatchable horse is usually a horse that has been taught that being caught is a bad thing, unenjoyable, and has also been taught that if he avoids being captured long enough, the person trying to catch him will give up and leave him alone. This cycle often leads to a neglected horse without the proper care needed to maintain the horse’s health. I have taught many people the correct methods of teaching a horse how to be caught and how to enjoy the encounter, making the uncatchable horse the horse that wants to be captured.

The first thing I tell my clients to do for the first couple attempts at catching the horse, is to avoid looking like you want to catch him. Try to peak his interest and curiosity with a piece of cellophane that makes an unfamiliar noise (horses are very curious by nature). Then give him a reason to want to “catch” you. You never want to allow him to see you with a halter or lead line because he knows why you have them, and he will automatically turn and walk or run away from you. You want to make sure to keep the lead line and halter hidden, or better yet, only take a length of bailing twine tucked into your back pocket. This will make you to appear unthreatening, because you do not look as though you want to catch the horse. This alone makes the horse curious as to why you are in his pasture. Enter the pasture as far away from his location as possible. Use the cellophane to make a crinkle noise. Instead of walking towards him, walk in a diagonal direction from him. You will notice him start watching you, as long as you stay patient he will start wanting to respond. You will know he is interested when he starts licking his lips and ducking his head.

The next thing you should do is turn your back to him, continue to make noise with the cellophane...