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  Discussion on 5 year old mare started kicking at others
Author Message
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 1:11 pm:

I have a 5 year old APHA mare, just purchased her in march. We have taken her to one breed show, she did fine, was abit antsy. I have ridden her several times down the road, in the arena, with our other horses, never had a problem. Went to a 3 day ride, 150 horses, course most are pretty fresh, some haven't been ridden all winter. This mare was jiggy, which I expect with all the tension in the air. I put a red ribbon on her tail to keep people off my rear, not knowing her real well yet. A person rode up on me and she kicked out at this horse, she fired off with both barrels, it was not as agressive as it could be, I know it was out of feeling insecure with the whole situation. She warned anyone that came close, (so did I). The second day of the ride went much better, she was more relaxed and half heartedly kicked out at the same horse she kicked out at the day before. (you would think people would take some heed to the red ribbon and to my caution). Anyway I would try to put my hand above her tail head anytime I felt she felt she was threatened and had a need to possibily kick out. When I returned home I asked the previous owner if she had ever had this type of behavior before, he said no, but she had not been on this type of ride before either, maybe 20 horses at the most. My question is what should I do to make sure this does not become habit and to head it off if I see it coming.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 7:21 am:

I think prior to the horse actually kicking your best bet is forward motion and distraction. Teaching your horse lateral movements so that you can actually engage her mind, keep her going forward, while turning her hind end away from others is a great way to provide needed distraction and safety.

AFTER a kick I would give a single sharp wallop with a crop within 3 seconds of the event may get the idea across this is unacceptable behavior.

I would also lay in a set of red ribbons.
DrO
Member:
Mszoey

Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 11:57 am:

We were in motion when she kicked out, I kept my horse's rear turned away from who I could, when we would get in areas where we could not move and had to hold up. I "will" use the crop method, I was uncertain as far as phsychological (sp) aspects, since I new she was doing it out of fear and as a protective measure, as to whether to enforce a punishment for her actions or to be doing something else.

My ribbon was extremely noticable to the respective rider, it was a 1" wide ribbon braided in from the top of the tail head down about 6" with a foot long tail, bright red on a black horse. Thank you for your info.
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