Q: Can I leave a headcollar on my pony when he’s in the paddock, as it makes him way easier for me to catch for a lesson?
A: Yes, you can, as long as it’s a field-safe halter that’s designed to break if your pony gets caught on anything. A normal nylon or rope halter is very unlikely to break if your horse gets stuck, so it is not suitable for paddock use.
It’s also important, however, to work out why your pony doesn’t want to be caught and see if you can help to fix that problem. Do you only ever catch him when you want to ride? If so, it might be a good idea to sometimes just bring him in for treats or a hand graze before turning him out again so he realizes that being caught doesn’t mean he’s always going to work.
You must also rule out pain as the cause of not wanting to be caught. Chat to your vet, and have his teeth, back, feet, and saddle checked by experts. If it hurts him to be ridden, he definitely won’t want to be caught!
