I have two horses that do that every time someone enters the barn but I don't know how to stop it.
2006-10-24 11:22:08 · 6 answers · asked by horsegirl 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
What do you do when you come in the barn to make them kick?
Chances are, the horses kick for attention. Meaning, they want food, turn out, water, or grooming & exercise. Most often kicking is because they're territorial toward other horses, or they're begging for food. If you only come in to feed them, there's your answer. Visit more, and leave full hay nets in their stalls.
Are you sure they're kicking, or are they pawing? If it's kicking, you can have them wear kicking chains when they're stabled. They dangle from the hind legs from padded belts fastned above the hock. When they make sudden moves to kick, they immediately get a smack on the hind cannon, and it reminds them kicking isn't allowed.
Don't use kicking chains on front legs or horses that are turned out.
Good luck.
Oh... the guy who mentioned shooting the horses was just pulling your leg, to get a rise out of you.
2006-10-24 11:48:31 · answer #1 · answered by . 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a form of boredom or attention seeking. The horse is bored or hungry therefore he kicks the door and learns that that gains attention, whether positive or negative! Three tricks I have used. 1. Have a webbing strap across the doorway and the door pinned back. Then he has nothing to kick against. 2. Nail a sack filled with gorse (prickly yellow flowering plant, not poisonous, though unlikely to be eaten). to the inside the bottom half of the door. It will give him an uncomfortable feeling gently pricking his knees, and also dulls the noise, which he is trying to make, in order to gain attention. 3. Do one or both of the above but also have a filled water pistol to hand. Every time he starts up, spray him on the nose with it. It will shock him. But this must be done every time he does it. 4. Use a grill, though I do not like this, simply because the horse cannot look out of the stable and would only use this as a last resort, or with a horse that constantly bites passers by. With the grill the horse will not be so easily able to get himself into such a position that he can kick the door. 5. Turn him out as much as possible. Best for his lungs too.
2016-03-28 06:29:06 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We use to put old tires over the stall doors on there side. That way they kick the tire instead of the door. Be sure to put slits on the side of the tire that faces the horse. That way they won't get the foot caught in the tire.
2006-10-24 11:26:23 · answer #3 · answered by Texan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they want attention... mostly do to being bored in their stalls... turn them out in the paddock more often... if they are show horses or working horses they need at least a 12x12 stall if you are trying to protect them from getting hurt
2006-10-24 11:35:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go in first and rub crushed up rose pettals on their noses.
2006-10-24 11:23:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They want to be payed attention to a lot more!!
Maybe turn them out more?!
2006-10-24 16:12:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋