The Principles of Training Season 3 Episode 8: "Catching a Hard to Catch Horse" 

Its a 45 minute investment of time that has a huge reward in improving the relationship and trust in your equine partner. Horse owners can feel awkward and fumbly playing with this but its so worth the effort.

it's amazing how engaged the horse becomes in a matter of minutes, completly different behaviour to the start

Yes this is exactly the concept I used with an “un-catchable” mare at work but in the paddock! She simply associated people coming in her paddock and catching her with unpleasant experiences to follow (vet, injections, wormer) it would normally take 3 people to corner her to catch her! Working on a stud the horses only really get caught when we need to give them treatment or for a vet/farrier visit! I wanted to change her thinking and association towards people so I pretty much used this principal each afternoon in the paddock, I didn’t want to catch her I just wanted to show her that I knew her concern. I too focused on her itchy spot, It took a while but eventually she started to relax and wanted to engage with me, day by day we took baby steps and slowly she wanted to come over to say hi, now when she sees me coming she’s the 1st to greet me!

So interesting. I wasn’t going to watch because my horse is not hard to catch, but she does look away while I’m putting the halter on. I’m going to back off when she looks away and not halter her until she fully engages with me throughout the halter in process. We’ll see how this impacts our connection. Thanks.

What a wonderful video. A little attention, empathy and time takes you a long way. I wonder if I am the only one seeing the humour in this video? That mare sure is a real hard to catch lady - but Warwick just charms his way to her heart :-) It's a little bit of Jane Austin right there.

👏👏👏🐴♥️ You are soooo good. What a sweet mare. She even lowered her head to help you halter her. The funny part is - & you didn't even mention it - was that you ALWAYS took the halter off, immediately!! That part was so automatic to you that you didn't even think about it, or to mention it. I hope people got that. So many might be tempted to just think aha, got you & walk off. So important to remove that pressure trigger at first. 👏👏👏

Soooo subtle, so perceptive. This is what every animal deserves...a human who talks their language.

I have been watching you a lot lately and noticing that the things I was doing with my horses for years and years that just seemed right and natural is what I see you teaching and noone taught me a lot of it but one man said to let the horses teach you and I guess thats what I did. Maybe the thing is I have autism and I can understand a lot of what horses think and feel because the kinds of thing that would bother them with pressure also bothers me so I get it and I think they know that and we get along really well I get on and do better with horses and animals than I do with people.

It is about giving and receiving space. It is like inviting someone, asking. Beautiful mare❕

When the horse seeks us and not the other way round. Magical video.

Thank you Mr Schiller,we just took in a new horse to us, and I used this method and the matching steps and standing close with hand on withers,The gain in trust in 30 days was outstanding, we are talking in his language and asking him in way that is kind and not forcing him ,That to me is real horsemanship. Your work has changed the way i look at things so the the things i look at change.Thank you ,hope they bring you back to the Equine affair in Ma,You did a great job with the versatility show.

It is all about respect and awareness of their emotions…give them the time and space to decide ❤

Not a horse but similar idea with the itchy spot. We adopted a cat this last year that never had alot of positive human interaction. He was caught outside at 5 months old or so and our foster did an amazing job with getting him used to what she could in the time given. We used a lot of the similar analogy that you used with finding the itchy spot and using that for positive reinforcement. We also didn't want to make every scenario where we would touch him be something where it was negative (meds, injections, etc). It's not that he needed any of these things like medications or injections but we wanted him to be able to associate touch with something good. We also worked on touching his paws and being able to trim his nails without needing to scruff him at all. He couldn't even be picked up and I can now lift him up to my shoulders. It's been a very slow process but he has blossomed into a very loving cat. I could completely see that he wanted the attention but I knew that he didn't trust people. He will follow me practically wherever in the house now and will even come out with other people that he's never met. He used to hide. I just found his favorite spot where he loved pets and it actually ended up being right underneath his collar along with his chin of course. He wouldn't even come near me when I would feed him initially and now he's right underneath my legs and knows the commands sit, wait, and look. He's extremely intelligent and I found toys for him to scavenge food. He adores it. This same principle works well on most pets: pay attention to body language and respect it

I learned to gentle Standardbred colts to harness using an advance-and-retreat approach like this one. It works, & you learn some patience!

I have been having a terrible time trying to put a halter on my horse when he is out in the pasture. After watching this video, my horse enjoyed my putting on the halter. Wow!!! This video is superb. Thank you so much.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ !!!! Masterful !!! The importance of being patient.

Thank you for refining my instinctual process and giving me confidence that I am on the right path with my mustang. I did not have him haltered when I picked him up and although he lets me rub all over him the halter has been a long conversation. Was beginning to wonder if I needed to try something different, but I will just keep doing THIS!!!!

I love the clip of Warwick cantering along the beach at the end of opening titles. It’s perfect👌

Not just great on the core subject matter, but priceless for all of the little tidbits along the way. Thanks a bunch, WS.

In one episode you talked about taking the stimulus away and how many people would think "oh thats reinforcing nervousness because you take away the pressure when theyre nervous, that's how they think they need to act when they want pressure taken away." I thought like that for a long time and you said you did too. I think it's more of a comfort for them when you take the stimulus away before they get above threshold. They see that you understand them and ultimately there is nothing more comforting than knowing someone understands you and acknowledges how you feel. Especially with the way people usually see horses, "You do what I say wether you like it or not" type of way. I bet it is refreshing for them to have their emotions and mental state acknowledged which is why they take to this "method" so quickly

🤣 her face when he takes it off for the third time is the best. She’s like... “what trickery is this human?” Love it

This is the 3rd time I’ve watched this. Learned so much each time. It’s helped me with several horses. The matching steps and pressure and release has helped me catch and halter horses out in the pasture. Time and patience for sure. Thank you.

Did very same thing in pasture, horse I was taking lessons on was on the other side of the pasture, so I walked tour's him until he looked at me and I stopped, once he looked away I walked tours him again after a few more times of doing that he walked to me and let me catch him.

We’re on their schedule

I'm in a quandary over what to do with my 14 yr old QH. I've had him for 12 years, love him to pieces. In that time, and within the last few years, I started a handful of colts with the help of prayer, trial and error, and videos from trainers just like this. Well... The young ones that I have, are so much more willing, sensitive, and basically just plain better as far as handling goes. My older gelding is pretty much an anxious pain in the rear. Herd bound, barn sour, and just... mentally elsewhere. I think it comes from years and years of not listening to what he's trying to tell me, due to ignorance on my part. I can see now that he's anxious, whereas before I learned this stuff, I didn't even think to care where his mind is. Now I just feel so stuck with my habit of ignoring him. Ugh. Me sucks.

I have had trouble off and on catching my horse so today I wanted to try your technique and wow how interesting. I would approach and retreat when he looked like he was going to move away. In a short time he started yawning and licking his lips and pretty soon he was pushing his nose into the halter. His expression was the most interesting, I think it surprised him that I was seeing and understanding his concern. I've had this horse for 8 years and always felt I had a good connection with him and now I'm just thrilled to start developing an even deeper relationship. Thank you for your insight and sharing your knowledge. :D

Thank you very much Warwick. Great Video. You are the best Horseman since I had the pleasure to come to know Tom Dorrance, - and that means a lot to me! Sorry for my english, - I am a german.

Horsework is hard. My first reaction to backing off when the horse shows concern is that this is rewarding unwanted behavior.

You have made this so easy to understand throughout the whole series of videos. Thank you. I have a young mare just like this, wants to be near unless there is a halter involved. I now have a way to work on this without scaring her, or putting her in a small pen first. Thank you so much.

Really well done and clearly explained. Thank you!

What a super cool and intelligent Horse. Just wants to be acknowledged. So easy to override and put our supposed priority first.a humble approach is far superior.

This episode is missing from the Season 3 playlist but episode 7 appears twice.

BEAUTIFUL HORSE.

Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

Excellent episode, thanks heaps Warwick.

Thank you, this was so interesting. I've (luckily) never had that experience with a horse, but it kind of made me sad for her. Like what has happened to her, that would make her so distrustful of a human? Thinking it was not good. Glad she's learning to trust.

This was most excellent. Thank you.

I did some groundwork with my horses and they are super easy to catch. I started with the round pen. I also have a bit of a routine. I’ll catch them from the field and take them in the barn and brush them. Some days I ride and other days I might just groom them and then give them a little grain and put them back in the field.

Lovely.

Can't express how helpful this video was! I've been looking for something like this for ages for my yearling:) like to come up to U but not get caught, so thanks will try:)

I have a horse that’s been problematic to catch the last little while, as well. And I wanted to find a way to stop it before he gets going really well. I DO use the scratch method when I’m working with colts but don’t with my older horses because I’m often on the move when I’m working with them. I need to do this with him. I’ll probably do it tomorrow ^_^

I've been using this technique on foals at the ranch, when we are weaning them, they get worked up really easily, rubbing them untill they like it and putting your hand over their necks is some of the best things I can spend time doing.

When I was teen and I helped at big barn there was freshly rescued horse. He was heavily whipped whenever he had halter on or was lead so he associated being caught with it. He once escaped his smaller paddock and ran into really big one 10 ppl tried to catch him at once, unsuccessfully I grew up in area that didnt believe in horsmanship and didnt teach it. They didnt believe in pressure and release or being gentle to a horse, if horse avoided being caught then it was lured in with food or lassoed. It didnt work with this horse I went near the paddock and horse started running around nervously. I stepped away and it stopped. After time I managed to get into the pasture and it started to get super nervous again, I left and this horse was so shocked it came closer to check out why would I leave It took me hour to make this horse somewhat easy to halter, after whole day of everybody else trying to catch it. It changed way I looked at horses and made me question all the "training" I recieved before that There are too many "tough cowboys" punishing horses for their insecurities

Yea, take the time it takes, it takes less time

When I halter-broke my little mustang mare, I would take her for a "walk" and let her eat yummy grass along the way. She gets excited now when I bring the halter and she is VERY enthusiastic about putting it on, because she anticipates going for a "walk". I have never used "treats" with her, but her "treat" is getting to munch on yummy grass when she cooperates. I realize that she expects to be allowed to stop and munch grass after she's out of her stall, so I always allow her at least a few nibbles. I realize that others may not want to allow the horse to stop to munch grass, but I feel that it's a very small price to pay to have a horse who LOVES getting haltered. What is your opinion of this strategy?

These techniques could work well with people too!

she is a lovely horse

That was a very nice catching session. It’s amazing how patients and taking the time changes the horses behavior. What would do when a horse doesn’t seem to have a problem about putting on the halter but wants to grab it when it’s supposed to go over his nose?

Wonderful video. You might not be shocked to know this works with cats too!

That back and forth around 11:30 is her telling you to keep running her underside of her neck...I have German Shepards that do that manuver all the time

excellent! great video!! Yes I am doing this with mounting and its brilliant.. so hard to not keep going.. but be patient.. Great example ..thankyou! Will you be coming back to Australia next year esp Adelaide?

Can one use this if they dont like you on one side. My horse's right side is difficult to work on... like her feet..on that side. I can brush her on that side. I can send her off from that side but not as easily.

Its great !! I was wondering why you didn't change eye?

Wouldn’t sending her away from you whenever she turned to leave, also be effective? When you back off when they leave, aren’t you kind of teaching her that when she moves away you take the pressure off?

My horse has impeccable ground manners taught by someone in his youth. When I bridle him, he lowers his head which is very helpful as he is 17 3. When I close the cavasson (spelling?) he pushes his nose into me. I've heard that may be dominance but in this example it seems to be connection. Could you comment on how to tell? Thanks!

I don't dare go behind my horse this way, especially if she is difficult to catch, as she may kick!! Any advice regarding this as she did that a couple of times.

Does it his work if the horse is blocking you with h her head from going to a particular side?

What are your suggestions for an Alpha mare who just flips you off in a 3 acre pasture and gets everyone else to run with her??

Thats what i have to get better at understanding, because she is okay being haltered anywhere else accept the field, she doesnt even mind being haltered but when i start working with her regularly and shes in the field this is what she'll do but she wont do it typically any other time.

I am the only one in the stables, that is mindful of my horses. People comment that it's because she is a super nice horse. In fact she is a registered PRE, after Lusitanos, the most challenging mares of all. It's sad to see that there are no attempts to make any connection between rider and four legged slaves.

This is great and I am trying it, but my guy is in a 20-acre field with 7 other geldings and he is the dominant horse. I stroll towards him and he trots away as soon as I am within 20-30 feet. I back up, I wait, I walk away, etc. And he is not interested. 2 1/2 hours today before he stood still and let me reach him. The odd thing is that once he accepts being haltered -- he lowers his head for the halter -- he is very relaxed: soft lower lip, nudging me with his nose, lowered head. And he likes being ridden and worked! He is enthusiastic and offers to do things before I ask. I try to read him so I can let him do things (like lengthenings and canters) when he wants (within reason). I try very hard to train with variety -- we do different things: some days ground work, some days lounging and ride, some days trail. I've had him 4 years. He was not healthy until the last 2 years (EPM, Lyme, tendon issue) and he had off during the immediate Covid quarantine (Barn owner shut everything down for 6 weeks). I'm not sure where his insecurity comes from, but it is very discouraging.

I apply this method when catching my horses. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt but i also use my trusty friend food or release as a reward. Its amazing to see the horses head go from up in the sky to down near your navel and licking and chewing. Restaring my old stb gelding i have never ridden but husband has come off from rearing whilst i was leading i fell in a hole and he went up in the air.! I think it was uneducated riding issue as well (ie. reins being held to tight,) but i guess i will find out for sure. I have found he gets anxious when he doesnt understand what you are asking of him. Anyway wish me luck i start on tuesday.

It confuses me a bit, sorry I’m still a beginner. How do you decide if you are going to release pressure in a situation you want or a situation you don‘t want? Where is the turning point , I mean - when to release for a wanted reaction as a reward and when to release for helping them and how not to bring it to a point where I accidentally teach them to be worried by releasing every time they turn away?

Would this work if same principal is applied to giving my horse wormer?

I have a question. So if we pull away when the horse starts to get concerned, uncomfortable, in order to connect with them, aren't we teaching them at the same time that the release of pressure is when they simply move away from us and therefore they don't have to do anything with us? I am a bit confused.

Warwick I wish I could afford your membership!

You are showing that you have MANNERS!

She is beautiful and loves you so much.

But how do you catch when they’re in a pasture w/4 others🤔

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

What if your horse is too tall to put the halter on properly?

I taught my hard to catch horse to catch me. I'm far too lazy to go out and catch a horse.

This is like being at the movies with your girlfriend and you are trying to make a smooth move.

Can’t I just use a treat? They love their treats.

Pretty sad that people can spend half an hour every day trying to catch their horse but they are too lazy to spend one day and solve the whole problem

Really well done and clearly explained. Thank you!