[Beeks]

If there is a thread already devoted to this particular brand of kicking, I would appreciate it if someone could post it here for me. I looked today, and just didn't find a thread that quite fit the problem.

Sally is a kicker. Not people, but dogs and other horses. When a horse is in the pasture and being bothered by dogs or other horses, I do not concern myself to much with the kicking, but when they do it while under saddle, it makes my heart leap out of my chest.

What is the proper correction for this? My friend is really starting to not like Sally because she will straight up kick whatever is behind her, dog or horse and rider, if you get close enough. And boy is she good at it. She nearly put one of my dogs eye out.

For other problems, I could set up the scenario and correct the problem, but I do not want to risk anyone, dog horse or human, in the correction of this dangerous deed.

[BriLeigh]

I have a mare that will kick at other horse's in the pasture or when riding. I have learned that there isn't all that much you can do. My horse seems to be better when she is worked consistently and I take her out places and to shows often. But when she sits (like she has been the last 9 months I have been at school) when another horse even comes near she squeals and either goes to strike or kick.

It can be dangerous, but I think it is very helpful to put a red ribbon in the tail. Does she do it with horses she knows? Mine doesn't even try with my other mare who she is pastured with.

This is the problem with mares sometimes...they are definitely moody and sometimes it is too much!

[Beeks]

I have only had this mare since the last part of April. Where she was before, she was pastured for the most part, by herself, but about a year ago, she did have a pasture mate that "disappeared".

I keep her by herself right now, as she is in training. I guess, to be fair, I have only had her out on rides twice. The first time she kicked MY horse that my friends daughter was riding, and yesterday, when I was out of the saddle and holding her, she kicked at my friends dogs every time they went behind her.

Like I said too, she has already nearly left one of my dogs without an eye.

I know this is not a fear driven kick but one of pure mare-ishness.

She was born on the local reservation, and how much of her life she spent wild, I do not know. She is between four and five right now and was at her previous location for about a year and a half.

She is an absolute joy to train and is very mild mannered with people but dogs and other horses she would just as soon kick as look at.

To her credit, my BO's rotten daughters turned her out into the pasture with their aged gelding about 10 days ago. When I went to feed they both came running in which was a bit surprising but the gelding when they got to the fence line, turned and lunged with teeth bared, at her three times. She did not retaliate until he had her boxed in a corner and then OMG did she let him have it. She nearly knocked him to the ground.

That time^^, she meant to do damage. The other times, it is more of a "get out of my space NOW" type thing. One foot, and not both like with the gelding. (not that one foot can't do some horrible damage)

I have never had a kicker before and I am finding this her only flaw. I do not often ride with strangers but if I do, until I get this little habit nipped for good, I will look into the red ribbon.

[caity and billy]

Did you know much about her past before you get her, she may have had a bad experience with dogs and stuff...my gelding does the same, he just gets nervous with dogs and horses he doesnt know...after he is familiar with them he is ok tho...you havnt had him for very long and he has been by herself you said...she probably just needs a bit to get used to eveyone...

good luck and let know if and how u fix the problem

[Beeks]

You are making me do some thinking.

I got her from a guy, whose house burned down. He left her in a corral, he literally built around her (no gate) and he also left behind, four dogs. They all lived by their own wits and means throughout the whole winter. A bag of dog food would get dumped out there about once a week and the same time he tossed the dogs their food, he would toss her some crappy cheat grass hay.

I wonder if the dogs bothered her?

When ever I would bring her water or food, the dogs always stayed up on the hill where the house used to be and would only come down if we brought our dogs with us. Then the shouting would begin.

They were scrapers. All but one I named Cha-Cha because when you scratched her behind she would dance back and forth on her back feet like a cha-cha dancer. I wanted to take her but my house was/is already full with four.

Anyway.....I am wondering if those dogs did not get after her for amusement or even in an attempt to bring her down because they were hungry and she was there.

[gluey33]

Just saying what I would do at least while mounted. I'd bring her head around disengage her hind end and probably a good kick and then proceed on. On the ground you need to find a way to make it unpleasant for her to react that way. The key here will be in the timing. You need to try and react as fast as she does. If you know the trigggers and kan feel her getting ready disengage her as soon as the ears start to go back, thats when the thought is first starting. Incorporating a growly sound may be useful as well especially if she allready associates it with wrong doing.

[Beeks]

Well, it is normally over with before I even know what happened. Trying to trigger it means I have to put something or someone in danger. I am just not too keen on that nor do I think I will get too many volunteers.

[Beeks]

I have said about the horse and rider kicking, that I am concerned but if you don't know to stay back, maybe you deserve a kick. If your horse does not know to stay back, and you cannot control him, maybe a good kick would be an effective lesson.

But here is another problem. Me riding Sally leaves my gelding open for my friends daughter to ride. The last time all three of us went out, I told her to stay away from Sallys back end, because I did not know, at the time, if she would kick or not. The words were not out of my mouth two seconds when she tried to bring my gelding around me on a very narrow dirt road. BLAM! She let go. The only saving grace was that she got the daughters leg instead of my gelding. She deserved it for her stupidity.

But I have a sinking feeling that this scenario will repeat itself with her. I don't want MY horse getting hurt at the hands of another who should know better.

As soon as she has a good grasp of balance and is used to supporting my weight at more than a walk, I will start working her in tight circles if she kicks out. That and a good swat with the end of my rommel on her backside.

I am obviously, still open to suggestions though.

[gluey33]

No don't try and trigger it, just be very aware of whats happening around you. I know easy to say

[lbhugg]

You might be able to see if she will kick at a remote control car or something like that even if she is scared of it at first it may desensitize her to things being around her hind end. At least it won't have feelings if she does kick out.