I've seen some people being coached by my mentor in regards to difficult-to-catch horses. She usually addresses the way they present themselves to the horse. One fellow was walking very heavily and leaning forward, if he were to stop suddenly he might even tip forward and as a result horses would want to leave at his approach. She got him to rock his weight back and walk in a balanced manner and he went home and said he had great success in finally being able to approach and catch his horses. Sometimes just a little (big) change like that makes the difference.

It could even be so simple as high heeled boots tipping a person forward vs flat shoes.

"It's really quite amazing what a horse will do for you, if he only understands what you want. 
And it it's also quite amazing what a horse will do to you if he doesn't." ~ Bill Dorrance