Not sure what to tell barn owner?

Do you want to stay at this barn? If so, about the only thing you can say is "I'm sorry." You can do it sincerely "I'm sorry my horse is so much trouble for you" or you can do it in code "I'm sorry you're having so much trouble with her" - as in, it's not her, it's you.

I very much doubt someone like this is going to accept any tips from you, and it will just make things worse. She may just be seeking acknowledgement of the difficulty, and may stop complaining once it's given. She's not seeking help or advice.

If you're willing to leave... then ask the barn owner if she thinks you should find a new place for her. If she wants you to stay, she'll tell you no, she can handle it, and she'll probably stop whining. If she doesn't want you to stay... then there's no hope anyway, and she'll take her frustrations out on your horse. Start looking for a new place.

Good Luck.

Have you watched her catch the horse? I mean, watched from where your horse cannot see you? I'll bet anything that she's being too active, too forward and in a hurry.

I know that in general I have better luck in catching (never with treats) if I walk some other direction than towards the horse, and look in even some other direction, never at the horse. If the horse runs away I either feign disinterest in catching, or I make the horse work, so that stopping to rest is impossible, and so that the eventual catching (after five minutes, not twenty) is a relief for the horse.

I also spend time out with the horses, doing catch and release, where the only thing that happens to a caught horse is a bit of scratching the withers. See if you can convince the barn owner to do that, so she's not perceived as quite as much a threat.

As for hard to handle, that's your horse's training. Your horse is good for you, but has been trained to be a snot to others, probably by incorrect handling by said others. Again, watch from a hiding place (best if your horse is totally unaware of your presence) and see if you can diagnose the problem.

Well, as for bringing it in- this is a trivial issue and as you can do it so easily it is HER issue- it is not your problem, it is not like a horse being difficult to catch is a hazard- it sounds like she's just taken a disliking to your horse (having spent a lot of time at stables I've noticed that a particular type of person can generate hatreds towards certain animals, often just because it won't do exactly what they want), from this she's developed the idea that your horse is "hard to handle"- the horse might have also influenced this though as animals are very good at picking up on negative energy, and it sounds like this woman has a lot of it. Maybe take the horse to another stable and just have them look after her for a week or two and then at the end ask for an evaluation on how well she behaved- they will probably tell you she was lovely and then you can point this out to your barn owner when she is rude to you next.

It sounds to me like the barn owner might be a rough neck or just have a lousy temper or she's just got negative vibes and your horse is sensitive to that.

Some people like that barn owner think they know horses but they really don't and their fear/frustrations show through and that is the problem.

The barn owner is the problem, not your horse.

So is whomever is leading the horse.

That said....

If I were you, I would meet with the barn owner and show her exactly how I catch my horse.

I would also use food and always leave some kind of treats so that the barn owner will use them to show the horse that she's not a "bad person" to be around.

Food works good as a reward for being caught, it's a short cut that people like the barn owner can use to just "get over" this issue quickly and as with as little effort as possible.

I would also show the other person handling your horse, how to lead your horse so that there's minimal problem.

If either or both of these people refuse to be "taught" by you, then I would strongly suggest finding a barn where your horse will be treated and handled better.

The thing about these kinds of barn owners is... when you are not around, they can and do sometimes resort to abuse against your horse and they sure won't tell you.

I had a client who was at a barn where the barn owner beat her horse with a whip (she actually broke the whip beating the horse) and of course she said nothing to the owner. I found out through another boarder and of course after that, the horse was moved quickly out of that barn.

Watch out for your horse. Barn owners are not always nice. Especially behind your back.

If you are 100% sure this barn owner will not resort to violence, then hopefully you can simply show her how you handle your horse and she'll be wise enough to heed.

If I were you (and I've experienced similar things with client's horses at boarding barns) I'd say something like, "I'm sorry you aren't able to catch her - she lets me catch her easily. I guess she just isn't used to you yet. " And about the leading issues - you should be able to fix that in 1 or 2 sessions and then you'll have to show the bm and anyone else who handles your mare, just how to lead her in a way that she's respectful and does not barge ahead. They will have to use your same techniques and be consistent in enforcing the "leading rules." If they aren't willing to listen to you and do these things, then I'd say. . . . look for another barn. Show them how well she behaves for you, to catch and lead, and maybe they will be willing to swallow their pride and learn something new.

If you horse is fine when you handle her but not for the barn owner. Shouldn't that say something about the barn owner?

Apologize for your horse being a problem and have some one else work on her being cough, if it were me I would just leave her out until you came to catch her or ask you to move her if she is causing a problem.

Your horse is probably not familiar with her as she is with you. So she takes that to her advantage & is cheeky(hence the 20mins to catch) If she keeps complaining maybe you could both catch the horse together?