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Discussion on Herd troublemaker
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Member:
Beasley
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 6, 2004 - 9:53 pm:
I have a strange problem going on in my herd of 3 geldings. The lead horse is a 7 yr. old AQHA with excellent training, manners, etc. He has always loved people and does not even require a rope or leading gesture to follow me whether he is tacked up or not. There is another TB gelding who is good on the ground, but seldom ridden. He is still recovering from neglect and I believe has an injury that will prevent much work under saddle. However, he has always been easy to catch and work with. The last gelding (herd troublemaker) is an Appendix, 6 yr. old that I have owned about 1 yr. He is VERY smart and quick to learn. He was under weight and has experienced some dubious training and handling. However, I have worked with him a great deal. When we are working, he is great, i.e., manners, rding, etc. As his weight came up, he did buck me off once (never repeated). He was always easy to catch until a month or so ago. I have worked on training, round pen, and riding. The problem is when all horses are in the pasture and I am going to catch one, the Appendix (Nevada Red) sees me and starts running like a wild horse, taking the others with him. They run until they are tired and Red will keep walking off in order not to be caught at all. Now, I always win this in the end, but the good time running is getting out of hand. Any suggestions or input?? I have kept them "up" until I was ready to ride and I have rung the "feed bell" to get them to come in. BUT I cannot go into the pasture peacefully to get a horse with all this excitment he causes. Thanks. JO
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Member:
Miamoo
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 7, 2004 - 8:24 am:
Do you have the time to just go out and sit on a bucket or something a couple of times a day for a while. If they see you and run eventually they will settle and wander over to you. I would then offer a treat to each as he comes to me but some people don't like the bribery theory. Pat them and then leave. Eventually they will not associate you coming with taking someone away.
If I didn't have time to do something time consuming like this I would find a seperate pasture for the Appendix even if you have to tape off a section in the current pasture you use for him.
Ella 
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 7, 2004 - 8:45 am:
Hi, Jo,
There's a little thing you can try if you stall them at night.
Catch and lead them to the stall individually, leaving the troublemaker last.
This teaches them that catching is not always a bad thing, since it may lead to grain. After a few days the other horses may even ignore their playful comrade and come straight to you.
Do not be surprised to see the playful one come first once he figures this out, even chasing the others away so he can be caught first.
Christos
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 7, 2004 - 9:13 am:
At a clinic I listened to a trainer describe a similar problem. He had left his saddle mare in a pasture with a group of older broodmares while on the road. After arriving home he went to get the saddle mare and she did much the same thing, got the whole herd running around. He didn't chase or follow them, often that is what the trouble maker is looking for is a game, he went back to the barn and got the ATV. He started following his saddle mare around, not letting her stop, but not running her either and at first the broodmares joined in. It didn't take the broodmares long to tire of that annoying fellow on the machine and would go off and graze out of the way. The trainer allowed them to stop and graze, but kept the saddle mare going. He said it didn't take long for the broodmares to be running the troublesome saddle mare off. Once the saddle mare was soundly told off and was the group leaper, he put the ATV away and came back for the saddle mare. She was more than willing to have a buddy and came right to him.
The idea is much the same as Christos describes in that this 6 yro sounds like a playful fellow but he won't like the game so much once he is the odd guy out.
Take care,
Alden
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Member:
Beasley
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 7, 2004 - 7:55 pm:
Thanks for the input, Ella, Christos and Alden and it is very helpful. I will begin by haltering when I bring in for feeding 2X day. We usually just open the gate and I have decided that may be a big mistake.
I do go out in the pasture often just to pet and offer a carrot to each and somehow the Appendix knows the difference so I think I'll carry the halter and only give the reward when I have caught somebody!
I don't have access to an ATV or the like, but I can see the validity of that idea. And, if all fails, I think I will have to separate him.
Good to have a plan. Thanks again. JO
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