Catching issues
 

I?m sure we?ve always been there but I just go ?there? a lot more than the average horse owner. I?ve owned one of my geldings for 3 years, bought him as handled youngster and done all the work myself bringing him on but have given him a very easy life just hacking, couple of dressage tests and doing the odd funride so he can mature nicely. Hes a cheeky sod, typical welsh and just turned 6. He does hack on his own, company, he really doesn?t have any vices bar catching him. He is in a routine of coming in during the day and only ridden a few times a week yet still comes in during the day to be fed/have a groom. He had saddle, teeth and vet out this year. He rides lovely and really does have potential to be a nice flashy dressage type or working hunter.I moved yards a year ago after being at a previous yard for over 5 years, new place is an much nicer yard but a mixed herd and much more grazing with bigger hilly fields (previous yard they were on vertically no grass) Over last summer and winter I had no problem catching him (he has always come to call) but now we?ve moved into summer fields this year which had a lot of grass my gelding is close to impossible to catch. When they first moved fields this year the grass was up to their knees and I kinda expected him to be difficult as understandably who would want to come out of a nice field full of grass? Even when he was on his own it took me hours (walking towards him, turning away, he basically ran around me until he was so exhausted he couldn?t move anymore!) but I felt like he enjoying me following him as it was a ?game?. Eventually I?d catch him and expected it to soon wear off and he?d get bored. I let him on his own all day a few weeks ago and when we had heavy rain (he hates rain and was naked) as he wouldn?t let me near him and I had to go to work, that evening he came to call and put his head in the headcollar. I started going up 3 times a day just to feed him in the field, give him a stroke and some treats or catch him and let him go again thinking he?d appreciate being with me and also gave him time off, left him on his own, but he soon learnt the clip on the lead rope open and would ****** off. I don?t bother following him now as he gets all hotted up and unless I want to be up there 3-4 hours walking up and down vertical hills, it won?t work. He will sometimes come over for a feed, but usually won?t even want a feed. I made a small pen within the field, which worked at first but one of the cobs is leaning on the fence and he is getting out. I?ve left a field safe head collar on him but if he doesn?t want to be caught you can?t get within 50 yards of him so makes no difference. I am pretty sure I?ve tried everything even if it isn?t listed. There isn?t even a lot of grass in there now and he is still difficult. Today I caught my other horse and a friends (lucky she doesn?t mind) as my Welsh was trotting circles around me even with a bucket of food. I left him on his own for 15 minutes and when I went back out he galloped up to me and put his head in the head collar. Once in he whinny?s at me, whinny?s at my car, loves a cuddle and grooms me so doesn?t feel like he constantly hates me (or maybe he does and its all show!) When ridden hes happy to see his tack, stands to be mounted and doesn?t put a foot wrong. In lessons I?m always told hes a very clever horse so think hes just learnt to do this.I have no idea what else to try. I work full time, 2 dogs to exercise, housework and tea to cook every evening (I?m sure others are in the same situation) with another horse too and have to keep both fit. I am wasting all my time messing about with him meaning either are fit enough this year and wanted to do some ODE?s this year or even BE, which is seeming impossible. I?ve tried to find another livery yard without herd turnout but nowhere has spaces and I?ve put my name down on 4 waiting lists. It feels the only other option is selling him to a home with individual turnout as he is fine when on his own, but it would break my heart to sale him even though he is a t**t he has potential. I even advertised him and pulled down the advert.Feeling ridiculously down at the moment. Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Or will he always be the same?

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