Why the field becomes a game of keep-away
From the horse's side of the fence, the arithmetic is simple. Being at liberty means grass, companions and choice; being caught has a price attached, and he has learned to read exactly what usually follows the headcollar — work, a vet visit, or simply the end of the best part of his day. Add a human walking straight at him with intent in every step and his prey-animal instincts do the rest: pressure means move away. Horses who are chased, cornered or grabbed at become genuinely skilled evaders, and some clearly come to treat the whole business as a game whose rules they enjoy far more than you do.
What catching has come to predict
The behaviour is rarely about the catching itself; it is about the history. Horses caught only when something demanding or unpleasant follows learn to ration their cooperation, while horses caught regularly for a feed, a groom or a pleasant wander usually come to the gate on their own. Herd dynamics matter too — a low-ranking horse may avoid the gate area because a dominant companion guards it, and a horse turned out alone may value the field's freedom differently from one who is keen to rejoin friends. If a previously catchable horse changes, ask what changed first: new fieldmates, a new routine or a recent unpleasant procedure all leave their mark on the next approach. Even the time of day plays a part — a horse caught at dusk, straight off the best of the evening grazing, has more to lose than one fetched in mid-morning.
Rebuilding the approach, step by step
Change what your arrival predicts. Walk into the field often with no intention of catching at all: scratch his withers, offer a handful of hay or a treat he values, and walk away again. When you do catch, let it sometimes lead only to a feed in the stable and straight back out. Approach on a curve rather than head-on, soften your posture when he looks towards you, and reward any step he takes in your direction by easing the pressure. A treat can be part of the routine, but keep it in a bucket or give it after the headcollar is on if he is inclined to mug you and leave. Consistency over a fortnight of small visits usually achieves what one long chase never will.
Yard habits that keep him catchable
Once he is coming to you, keep the pleasant associations topped up: vary what follows being caught, and avoid making every single catch the prelude to the hardest work of the week. Resting a hand on his neck before the rope goes round, and letting him snatch a mouthful of grass as you lead away, soften the transaction further. Above all, if several people catch him, the approach has to be the same for all of them — one person who reverts to chasing resets the lesson for everyone else. Agreeing that approach in KinsLe through Care Teams puts the same quiet routine in every handler's hands, so the trust you build on your visits is not undone on someone else's.