How to stop a horse who has started kicking deliberatly?

Question

My friends horse has recently started kicking deliberatly. She has had mud fever on her hind legs which has cleared up now. She is unhappy in the yard we use at the moment because she is in a small (10x10) box, with horses either side of her, and she is used to having some privacy and space.
Over the last few weeks she has deliberatly kicked 3 people, usually when we are trying to put boots on or pick her feet out. I think the root of this is that her legs were sore when she had the mud fever and we were treating it, but its gone now. I was wondering if anyone knew any ways to try and stop her kicking because she is getting dangerous to do anything with her hind legs - we are having to sedate her for the farrier to do her feet, where she has been fine previously.

Answer 1

She is obviously still associating getting boots on and picking out her hooves with pain because of the mud rash, I would spent more time with her in her box or in the yard, grooming her and try to run your hands over her body starting at her neck and working your way down to her legs, do this as often as you can to try and desensitise her to this and hopefully she will get used to getting her legs touched and picked up. I hope she settles in her new yard but if she is really bad i would consider moving her. My friend had a mad thoroughbred x who would lunge at you, rear and kick out in her box but my friend wasnt scared of her and would still persevere, and eventually she realised her behaviour wasnt getting her anywhere and she did improve, so hopefully your horse will do the same!

Answer 2

See if your friend is open to moving her horse to a more natural environment. Are there any ranches that offer pasture board in your area? Some horses tolerate being locked in a stall better than others. Your friend's horse obviously won't stand for it.

Also, I suggest your friend look into some new methods of handling her horse. Apparantly, whatever your friend is doing is not working. This horse has no respect for people and has run out of tolerance.

This is *most likely* the people's problem, not the horse's. When you go up to her stall, are her ears pinned? If so, she is telling you that she hates your guts. If a horse hates you, it's only a matter of time before it loses patience and kills someone. Horses are NOT hateful animals. If they are given the respect, love, understanding, and attention they need, they are the most amazing partners anyone could ask for. This horse is probably not getting any one of those four things in adequate doses and has turned into a monster.

My suggestion is that your friend move the horse to a place where she can be in a pasture 24/7. That is the best thing for a horse anyways. And, also she should look into some new methods of handling horses. Horses in the wild travel at least ten miles a day. How much do you thing your friend's horse travels a day? How much energy do you think she has pent up? If you were her with all that extra energy, what would you do to the fragile little predators that keep barging into your space to make you uncomfortable? Probably kick them to the moon.

I tell anyone who is having trouble to try natural horsemanship. My horse was down-right dangerous a year ago and now I can take him out his pasture without any kind of halter and he follows me without any kind of fuss. It's all pricey stuff, but it's worth every single penny and you get more than your money's worth. It's hard work, but it pays off and makes things a million times easier in the long run.

This is all just my opinions and experience. It's what's worked wonders for me and my friends. Give it a shot :-).

Good luck!

Answer 3

horses are such insecure 'people', your friend's horse is probably stressed about the huge change that has just taken place in her life. She'll need reassurance and patience, and you'll need to take baby steps with her to win her trust back. I'm not sure what 'mud fever' is, iv never come across it (slang?) but im guessing it might have been painful? or maybe felt sensitive? So maybe she's worried about people hurting her when they go near her hind legs? mind frame. She's also probably really frustrated and irritated about being stuck in a 'tiny' stall when she's been spoilt with space in the past. Help ease the bad temper by taking her out more often, exercising her regularly. It will help with the irritability, and im sure the kicking too.. My horse was terrified of plastic bags for YEARS because her previous owner teased her with them. She was very anti-people in the beginning, but after taking things VERY slowly she's become the sweetest most loving lady around. Still weary of strangers and bags, but doesn't freak out like she used to. bottom line- patience, love, reassurance. Good luck!

Answer 4

Get her checked by the vet, it may be that her legs are still sore, also does the farrier mention any indication of thrush?
If she doesn't resent her front feet being handled then suspect that her hind feet are still sore.
In the meantime teach her to pick up her front feet on command; as she lifts her foot off the floor just say 'pick up' and eventually she'll do it to your voice. It will then be easier to lift her hind feet without touching the fetlock, which makes her resentful.
You can give training tips on this site but complex instructions are difficult because we can't demonstrate a technique.

Answer 5

i would say your horse is associating things being done to her legs with a pain or discomfort of some sort. She may also be grumpy and unhappy in her attitude which is making her react in this way.
How old is she? is it babyish inexperianced and testing or is she old enough to know better?
It also depends on her breeding: TB can be very hot blooded, whereas cobs etc are more chilled. If she of a hot blood breed, it is more than likely to be 80% fact that she is just moody and trying to get away with it. If she is placid bred, she is more than likely in pain or discomfort.
If she is old enought to know better, you need to dicipline her and let her know that she cannot get away with this behaviour. Dont get too nasty with her though as she will not appriciate this if she is feeling low. Try to locate the source of her mood or pain and make that your first priority to fix.
If she is just young, she is only testing you. Let her know this is NOT acceptable behaviour and that she cannot continue doing this. This also applies if she is a fairly new horse. A horse you have owned for less than 10 months is classed as a new horse as you do not know them and they WILL try to see what they can get away with.
Move her from the small stable (10x10 is too small for a 15.2hh)and give her space and freedom. If she shares a field with another, move her to a field on her own. If she is already on her own when she is used to company, move her with another horse.
I had a mare that was fine for 3 months, then booted me in the face on morning, with shoes and road nails on, when i was catching her from the field. After then, she kept kicking out deliberately in situations.It turned out she wasnt happy with company and sharing her field and since being seperated from others, she returned to normal. She just prefered to be on her own.
You could try hormone herbs to see if it makes any difference (bear in mind that herbs take a couple of weeks to begin to take affect)
There is a well known saying: "Tell a gelding, ask a mare and suggest it to a stallion."
This sums it up really.

Good luck. xx

Answer 6

it is possible that your horse is sore, I use a bowen practicioner that is fab and really does work, it is important that ther is two people with the horse when working with its feet, one holding it and one doing feet, you must keep your hip close to the horses body and feel calm in yourself both foot person and holder, you can use a hand on a stick to move down the leg starting at the hip and slowly moving down, keeping contact when she moves and taking it away when she stands still with foot on ground, wear hats. slowly build up the distance down the leg untill up can reach the bottom, you may then squeeze the chestnut to life the leg, the person holding her must stay v calm and confidant and if she starts moving around jerking on the headcollar. praising whilst standing still. Good Luck

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Be firm, take her for walks on lead or ride her, she needs personal attention

Answer 9

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Answer 10

ride her more, take her for a walk