Q. I am so frustrated with my miniature Shetland Pony gelding, Popcorn. In his pasture, we just can’t catch him. It takes me, my parents, and any other people who are around the barn to go out together and corner him. Sometimes we have to chase him for a half-hour if we have to catch him for the vet or the farrier. In his stall, he swings around to get away. Mom and Dad have to corner him.  When he has been in the barn for a while, he gets used to being caught and doesn’t even turn when he sees two people coming. Once he is caught, he is really nice.

Alicia

A. Oh, how well we all know the frustration. But they all can improve with work. There are lots of methods out there for this problem. My favorite method for a pony such as you describe takes a lot of work, but the result tends to last for a long time. It involves teaching the horse or pony that "all good things come from people," and that "people are always good." 

First, at least for a period of training, the pony needs to become dependent on people (and coming to people) for food and water. Start with the pony in his stall where he has no feed or water except what you give him.  You and one or two assistants will hand feed and water him two or three times a day for at least three weeks.  At each feeding place a flake of hay and a bucket of water near the stall door. Open the door, stand there, say his name, and just wait quietly for 10 minutes (use a stop watch; get a stool; read a catalogue). If he doesn’t come toward you after 10 minutes, get the bucket of water and the hay and set them down at your feet just inside the stall and wait quietly another 10 minutes