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Playful kicking
A horse kicking in the pasture is one thing. A horse kicking at or around people is extremely dangerous and may require a professional solution.New window.
Horses can kick forward, backward, and to the side. The mechanical force can shatter bones, traumatize soft tissue, and result in euthanasia for the horse or death for the human kicked in the chest or head.
When a horse kicks, it is important to determine why the horse is kicking and what needs to be done to prevent it from happening again. If the horse endangers people and other horses by kicking aggressively and without warning, it's time to call in a professional horse trainer with experience in rehabilitating horses that kick.
Kinds of horse kicks
- Playful kicks
- Fearful kicks
- Response to pain kicks
- Irritation kicks
- Disrespectful kicks
- Dominance kicks
Most people that work with horses know that getting kicked by a horse hurts. Sometimes a kick simply leaves a bruise, but there is always the possibility that it will cause serious injury. If a horse kicks a cement wall or a rigid fence post, a hoof can easily be cracked or the small bones in the foot shattered, leading to lameness or possibly euthanasia if the horses loses the use of the limb.
Handling the kicking horse - General Rules
- Don't surprise the horse. Let him know where you are at all times, especially when disappearing into the horse's blind spot, and stay alert to unusual movements or weight shifts.
- Protect your head and body at all times by wearing appropriate gear.
- When grooming, stay close to the horse on either side and make sure you don't get in line for a kick or stomp.
- Be alert and pay careful attention to what is going on around you and the horse. If the horse appears to be upset, back off until the horse has calmed down and you can make a safe approach.
Assume your rightful tole as leader
Young horse
Young horses are more likely to playfully kick, but all horses may kick when surprised or hurt.New window.
The playful kicker
This kind of a kick is not meant to harm, but can turn deadly. Because of their peripheral vision, horses usually see this kick coming, but humans and inattentive horses often miss this "flick of the hoof" that says, "Let's play!" and sometimes sustain serious injuries.
When turning out a playful, rambunctious horse, lead it to the pasture and turn it to face you as you remove the halter or lead. Take a step back as you release the horse. If you are in an area with playful horses, stay alert and know where they are at all times. Wave them away if they approach you in a playful manner as if challenging you to play tag.
The fearful kicker
A horse that kicks out of fear usually gives plenty of warning. Feeling threatened or trapped, this horse appears tense, clamps the tail against the buttocks, lifts the head up, opens eyes wide and flares the nostrils.
A horse in a fearful state needs space. Timing of your response is important. The safest action is to back away and let the horse take a good look at the situation while bringing the fear under control.
However, if the horse kicks at you, another horse, or an object, an immediate response is needed. Loudly yelling "Quit!" or slapping something is often enough to startle the horse, get its attention, and stop the kick.
The kicker that's responding to pain
A sudden bee sting or fly bite may cause the most mellow horse to kick out suddenly. A horse with a sore back may lash out when it sees you approaching with the saddle. The horse with colic will kick at the belly and sometimes misfire and kick a handler.
Unfortunately, kicks that result from pain come with little or no warning, so being alert to your horse and surroundings at all times is extremely important. Once the pain is gone, the kicking usually stops immediately.
In the meantime, if the horse either kicks you or comes close to kicking you, let it know in no uncertain terms that kicking a human is unacceptable. The kicking should stop if you call out or slap something loudly.
Work toward removing any stimuli that leads to kicking, and, if colic, injury, or illness is the cause, get immediate help for the horse.
The irritated kicker
The irritated kicker is usually showing frustration and impatience, whether it is kicking the wall when feed is slow in arriving or kicking at the trailer walls when waiting to be unloaded at the horse show.
Irritated kickers can be dealt with in several ways. Since the kicks often target surroundings, kicking boards may be installed in the areas where kicking occurs, such as the stable or the trailer. Kicking chains are sometimes used to remind the horse that kicking hurts.
Improving promptness on your part and staying on schedule when working with an impatient horse helps solve the problem. As long as the irritated kicker isn't endangering another horse or a person, you may want to ignore the kicking unless it begins to escalate.
The disrespectful kicker
The horse that kicks out at other horses or people when being ridden just because it feels like it, is often strict about maintaining personal space and uses the kicks to say, "Back off!". Some horses that would never kick a human will kick a horse that comes too close to them on the trail or in the pasture. Often these kicks are mild warning kicks, but they are also dangerous because of the potential for injury.
A sharp pop with a crop or the ends of the reins will let the horse know that the kick is unacceptable. The pop must be immediate so that the horse knows it is caused by the kick. Some owners and handlers tie red ribbons on the tails of horses that are known to kick on the trail, or position themselves as the last horse in the group.
When you are around other horses or people with a disrespectful kicker, be vigilant and let the horse know that any kicks will bring a quick reprimand in the form of a pop with the reins or crop.
The dominance kicker
The horse that kicks to show dominance poses serious problems. In the wild, horses establish hierarchy by kicking to achieve breeding rights. When a horse tries to intimidate the owner, handler, or rider, serious training issues are involved.
Often dominant mares or geldings, these horses have learned that they can take charge by being threatening and aggressive. Quick, well-aimed punishment sometimes works with these kickers. A sharp tug of the lead shank, a smack of the palm, a tap of the crop on the hindquarters, or a sharp word at the first suggestion of a kick will remind them that you are the boss. In the meantime, it's important to stay out of striking distance and be very consistent in asserting yourself at the first indication of a kick.
In most cases, rehabilitating a horse that has developed an "I'm the Boss!" attitude will take a review of the basics of training and the services of a professional trainer to reestablish ground rules.
If you choose to own a horse that is a dominance kicker, let everyone know about the horse's tendencies. To prevent possible injuries to other horses and people, post warning signs and make sure that no one goes near the horse without being cautious.
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