How do I catch my pony in the paddock?

Hello! It sounds like you should take a step back and work on your relationship for a while, with no agenda. Go out into the paddock and simply be there. Sit on a rock and just be, without asking anything of the horse. Read a book or listen to music.

If the horse comes over, do not try to catch him, stroke him or anything else. Repeat this many times over many days, just being there without making demands. Simply let the horse be for a while.

If the horse does not come over, do not read anything into it. Just keep spending time there on more occasions.

Let this take its time and keep the focus on the horse's curiosity about you. When the horse comes over, you can turn and walk away rather than trying to catch him.

Once the horse starts seeking you out, begin by turning and walking away. If the horse stops, leave it at that. If he follows, keep walking, and feel free to walk in circles. If the horse stops following, do not make anything of it. Stop and just be there for a while.

If the horse ignores you while you are simply in the paddock, take the chance to study how the horses use their body language. How do they communicate with each other? Can you read small changes in their expression? Train your eye.

While you are working on this, perhaps someone else can catch the horse on the days he has to come in.

Then have a think about your relationship more generally. What is your pony like when you get him ready? What is he like for other handling? What is he like under saddle? There may be clues here to the behaviour of not wanting to be caught.