How to Catch A "Wild" Horse

This is "Perfecta". She isn't really wild, but she has a a Series of Unfortunate Events in which she became basically unhandled. She learned how to outfox her owners and subsequently got the reputation of being wild, spooky and dangerous.

Perfecta is a Polish Arabian. When you meet her, you know right away why she was named "Perfect". I can imagine that her breeder took a look at her conformation and her sweet personality and said... "She's just Perfect!!"

After Perfecta was sold by her breeder, somewhere down the line she wound up in the hands of people who had 15 or so horses and starved them all. Then she was given to her next owner, "If you buy Elizabeth, I will throw in Perfecta for free." When they tried to load Perfecta into a 2 horse straight load she resisted and was hurt badly. Later, another person was able to get her loaded in a 3 horse.

Her new owner was a novice, but she did a great job of putting Perfecta out on pasture and feeding her in the winter so that today she is a plump little mare.

But, Perfecta learned that she could avoid being caught. People tried to force her to do things and soon she had a reputation of being "wild".


The truth about this little mare is that she is one of the most willing to please horses I have ever met!

Lyn was called to help catch her for her owner. She spent some time with her and was able to catch and halter her within 10 minutes on the first day.

The owner gave Perfecta to a friend who hired a "Cowboy Trainer" to help her catch and load her new horse. That night her owner called Lyn in near hysterics. The "Cowboy" (yes, I am using that term v e r y loosely) had locked his arms around the horse's neck and thrown her to the ground, injuring himself in the process. Now he was chasing her around and Perfecta was frantic.


Lyn had the presence of mind to tell the gal to tell the "Cowboy" to "Stop, we will be over tomorrow to help load the horse". It was a long night for Lyn. She didn't know what she would find the next day.

By the next morning the friend who was to be the new owner backed out of the deal, and Lyn had decided that she wanted to give Perfecta the chance she deserves.

So I went over with Lyn that afternoon, along with another friend and my daughter to see about picking up Perfecta and bringing her home.


It took Lyn over a half an hour to catch and halter Perfecta. But she didn't chase her or really even get her really excited. She just worked her magic, quietly an effectively. Perfecta tried so hard, never taking her ears and eyes off of Lyn. This horse wanted to be caught and to be connected with a human. I have never seen a horse try so hard to overcome it's fear.

Eventually, Lyn had her haltered. She did a little bit of groundwork with her, and then led her right out the gate and right into the trailer without a single hesitation.


She's not a wild horse at all. She has training. She has just been misunderstood.

Welcome to your new life Perfecta!