I've got a few things I do to get mine better to catch but everyones set-up is different.

I always make friends in the stable first and get them taking treats off me. I've got some very small paddocks and I put a bad catcher in a bare one and take a treat a few times a day. I appreciate most people can't do this, but if you could fence a small electric paddock in your big field and maybe get other liveries to treat your horse when they get chance, then that really helps too.

When I turn them out with others in a bigger field, I use a ricketty headcollar that will break under stress and I have a piece of plaited string 9" long with a clip which I leave on the headcollar. I try approaching in a non-threatening way (I don't want you today) and I stroke the others too. I take note which horse the bad catcher has paired up with and I spend a bit of time talking to that one in the field too. I also bring horses in often for no good reason other than a handful of feed and a chat. I think once they realise your motives are pure, they do come round.

NEVER grab at a headcollar Always softly softly

Would be very interested to hear how others catch their tricky ones

 

 

 

Probably sounds complicated but never takes me more than 5 mins. I suppose it'll only work if you have one that they all need to follow

i have a thery (cant spell) that because he was born on a mountain (bought at 6months old) and that why as she was neaver held til she was 6 months old this was try for my new forest ponies as wasnt handled til 3 i bought at 5 and she was difficult to handle

Puff came off the NewForest as a yearling completely unhandled.  I 'coralled' her into a trailer and bought her back to Essex without laying a finger on her - it took 3 months to get a headcollar on but she is easy to catch - I always give them a reward when they're caught. 

I started off with giving her a treat when she came to me, then didn't give her anything til  her headcollar was on, then not until she was out of the field, then not until she was at the stable - she knows she's going to get a treat, just doesn't know when

I break in and retrain horses and hard to catch is a common problem. Do you have a round yard available? Or a small paddock? If so get your horse in there and stand in the centre, ask your horse to move around you following the fence ( lunging at liberty) do about three laps at a trot and then step in front of the movement and ask the horse to roll back ( turn off their hocks) and start in the opposite direction. Go another three laps. You can do this as long as you like but remember to go both ways the same number of times. This shows the horse that without touching it you can control its speed and feet. This creates respect and commands the horses attention. Then ask the horse to "Face up" and again step in front of the movement ( not the actual horse) the horse should stop and turn to face you. Step back immediately to release the pressure. Pat the horse when caught and make a fuss to show its done the right thing.

You can do this in a smaller yard with a halter and long lead on the horse and physically pull it to face you on command ( not jerk it off its feet). This will speed things up and before you know it all you have to do is walk out in the paddock and say "Face up" and bam your horse will be there standing solid. I have retrained many horses with this method and they are all good to catch. Dont give up and reinforce the lesson at every opportunity. If you move into a bigger yard and the horse wont be caught go back and use the little yard then try again. Even wild caught brumbies respond to this quickly and without fear or stress.

Good Luck Mate!