[kbranch]

I don't know wether to laugh or be disgusted. I have two VERY well broke ranch horses a mare and a gelding. My mare is whip broke the gelding you have to rope to catch. is it true that every time you rope a horse to catch them it makes it harder the next time? What can I do to make him eaiser to catch I've been making him run untill he stops and comes to me then giving him grain or treats and letting him go. But this is a weak of this routine and he STILL run for an hour before I can catch him. I'm getting to the point that I wish he was whip broke like my mare but that sounds so mean. Any other tips. What kind of bit would you use on extreamly leg and seat sensitive horses that are slow to stop? I'm using a full cheack snafel but they are slow to stop in it. 1 being a reining horse the other a rope horse I know they know better. Thanks for the advice.

[Kamara]

How much time do you spend with them?
I mean just time with them doing absolutely nothing?
Not asking anything of them, but just spending time?

We've had a couple of ranch broke horses (its worked with others too) and found that sitting out by (or inside) the corral or pasture in chairs and doing nothing but ignoring them, really got them curious.
If we were reading a book - double curious - as they wanted to know what we were doing LOL
Sometimes they would get a treat but not often.
We didn't try to catch them or even pet them that much.

After awhile we didn't need the chair, they would come over to us just to see why we were out there.
There is not one horse on our place that is hard to catch.
They all come to us or stand and wait for us.
Once in awhile, they might act goofy for about a minute.
We just stand and wait.
They come right over and have that look like "What?"

I know there will be other suggestions too, so it comes down to whatever works best for you.

Hopefully soon you can have horses that won't be giving you a workout when you want to catch them

Penelle

[barrel_racer64]

I have a ranch broke horse, not got the best handle on him, but he is very easy to catch. I would second just hanging out with them. I've done that a few times with mine since I've had him here at college with me, and he will come stand by me, sometimes nose my book and stuff, but he hardly ever gets treats. Really just spending time doing nothing can really do alot.

[magoo320mj]

As far as catching goes, Kamara said it perfectly. With regards to the riding problems, how long have you had them? Do you know if they're finished in the bridle (using a curb bit)? I've ridden ranch horses that would laugh at me in a snaffle, but turned into gems when ridden in a curb. I've never had many problems with stopping, so I don't have a whole lot of advice there, but I know that flexing and counterbending my horses has always made them more responsive. Maybe that would help?

[pittmd]

Would someone like to comment on what a "Ranch broke" horse is?

[kbranch]

I call a horse ranch broke if they come from a ranch were used on a ranch for checking fences checking, cows sorting cows, pasture doctering, ranch work. Most of these horses are ran in a remuda (sp) brought in roped and sent out to do a days work. My gelding I have only had a week. Before me he was used to rope and drag bucking bulls aroud. Before that he was used for roping in rodeos. What do ropers usuly use for a bit? My mare I got over a month ago. By tracing her brand I found out she was a secound string ranch rodeo horse (a back up). That's all I can find out about her. I started ridding them in a full cheack snaffel to slow them down a little. I know they know how to sit down and stop but they have gotten by with taking a few steps then stopping. When I ask them to stop I want a nice sliding stop. I have been working with flexing and collecting a lot because they are both a little "stiff" Thanks for the advice on catching my gelding. I feal bad he's so scared of any move a person makes on the ground. He trembles when you brush him.

[Bruce Wiley]

ALPHA's don't catch their herd, for the members are just where they were placed by the leader.
If anything, one horse maybe driven off or out, where they will sometimes be cut away from the group and then possibly be allow to return.
The one at the top of the pecking order, has made it known, they're not anyone buddy or food server.
This leader is there to correct any unwanted behaviors, to move the group on or rest, making certain everyone of the members respect the order within the herd.

By making the horse run is only making your job of catching the animal even more difficult.
Its about learning how to get your horse to catch you without bribling him or her with treats also establishing your role as top of the pecking order.

Find an knowledgeable, experienced and competent horse indivdual in or near your area and then ask the person for assistance with these and other issues you maybe having. It much better to have someone there where they can help you interpret your horse's actions and reactions etc.
Hopely this will teach you how to properly corect and handle your horse in the near future.

I hope this insight helps.