Q and A's - Kicking

I'm working on a Sonita story. But the question of a horse kicking came up, and I think it's important to address it.

summersmom says:

I have a mare that has started 'cow kicking' at other horses recently. She never did it before, and at first I thought it was something 'left over' from her over protective mothering instincts being that I weaned a foal off of her in July. I just noticed this behavior within the last week and I suddenly realized she may be doing this out of fear from an attack by another horse in July.

Let's analyze this scenario first. Summersmom admits it was the first time she didn't look to see where the other mare was. Obviously she won't ever do that again. No finger wagging from me, I've learned my most valuable lessons the hard way, I think we all do.
Horses have two responses to danger. Flight or fight. Being prey animals they will only fight a perceived danger if they don't think they can escape.

A horse kicking is saying, "Move away, now."

The mare who attacked Summersmom's mare was more than likely telling the mare to move away from the gate. Mare's with babies feel safer in a group. She didn't want to have the group broken up and was trying to move Summersmom's mare and foal back into the pasture. Because Summersmom was holding onto her mare she couldn't go where she was told, so she got beat up for it. If the mare had moved the first time the other horse pinned her ears, or if Summersmom had chased her off, none of this would have happened.

Fairly simple when you think about it. Now Summersmom's mare Rockette, is freaking every time another horse comes near her. Mainly because she has learned she can't get away from another horse when Summersmom is with her, the flight option is gone. So she feels she has to take charge of things, and the fight is on.

That said, guess what? I DON'T CARE. SHE DOESN'T GET TO KICK. PERIOD.

There's a few things Summersmom needs to do. The first is reassert her dominance over other horses.

When she catches Rockette, she needs to drive the dominant horses completely away from the two of them. I do this by swinging the end of my very long lead rope. I'm not afraid to wack them. Remember, that boss mare kicks a lot harder than you can. She needs to body block the dominant horses and not let them near Rockette.

I have had dominant mares run other horses into me and the horse I'm trying to catch, so watch them. They know how to keep the herd together.

Rockette is nervous at the gate because she got her ass kicked there. I don't blame her. But I would ignore her. Give her plenty of loose lead rope so she can move away, (I'm assuming she's been trained to NEVER crowd you) open the gate and go through. Don't soothe or praise her, you're just going through a gate for goodness sake. Do make sure you're protecting her though, once she understands you will drive away any potential attackers she'll be able to relax.

When I have a kicker there's a few things I'll do. I will work the horse pretty thoroughly so the fresh is off before I start. Then I will stand in the middle of the arena and have a friend on another horse circle me. My friend will slowly spiral the horse down until I get a reaction from my little Rockette. My reaction only needs to be pinned ears by the way.Then I will put the pedal to the metal and leave. I do mean hustle that mare out of there, by whatever means necessary.

My horses will lope off with a smooch from me. If yours won't then kick, spur, smack with a crop, whatever. But she needs to git, and git now.

After she is away from the scary horse I'll lope around the arena a few times. The I stop her, relax my reins, and start the whole process again. Every time Rockette lets the other horse come a few feet closer without a reaction I'll have my friend take the pressure off by moving the circling horse off a ways, stop, and rest. I repeat this exercise until Rockette is letting the horse circle around pretty darn close. She will too, once she understands she can move away from her perceived danger. Rockette will learn she is allowed to move away from danger when she feels trapped, even though you're riding her. She will begin to actually assess the situation before she reacts.

The next thing I do is play "Leap frog" on the rail. The more people involved in this the better.
I trot Rockette along the rail and have the horse behind her pass. Have them pass with enough room to be safe, but then they cut in front of you, everybody settles, and then you pass. Keep trotting through the entire exercise. Loping gets wild, and walking is gives everybody too much time to worry. Eventually I leap frog at a lope and walk.

The trick here is that as the other horse passes you, the second you feel your mare tighten up, you WIGGLE. I mean grab the horn, sling yourself back and forth, jiggle the reins, bang your butt on the saddle, just flop around. Your horse will immediately refocus on you believe me. By then the other horse will be past, and the crisis is over. Continue on as if nothing happened. Eventually as you pass the other horse, or it passes you, Rockette will flick her ears back to you, expecting you to lose your mind again. Relax, don't wiggle, give Rockette a pat. If she forgets and puts her attention on the passing horse wiggle again. Rockette will learn she is safe from attack when she pays attention to you.
I started this when I was giving little kids group lessons. When a little kid has a kicker they don't have the strength or timing to discipline the horse. This works so well I started using it myself. I haven't looked back. Plus it's fun. And it makes you look like a loon in front of your peers, something I think everyone needs to do once in a while.

Then comes step three. This is hard, but by now you and Rockette should about be fixed. Have your sacrificial lamb, er I mean friend, come by, and whack your mare. I'm serious. She can just swing her reins, or give her a tap with a crop, but another horse needs to come by and move your horse. You have to sit there, then scoot her forward, and get her away. Then relax, pat Rockette and do it again. Eventually she'll turn to face the oncoming horse, don't have your friend thump her. Have the friend move off and release the pressure. Give Rockette a pat.

When I ride, all of my horses are expected to allow another horse to move them any time I want, this includes studs. If they try to fight I'll get after them. (the horse being moved) In my mind it's a job requirement.

It's my job to ensure other riders are safe around me. It is never another riders responsibility to be aware of what my horse might do. A pink ribbon in my horses tail means I can't control my horse. It means I shouldn't be allowed in a group of horses as far as I'm concerned.
Rockette will learn she is expected to give to crowding, bumping, or passing horses because you expect her to. When she listens, you keep her safe.
By taking these steps it will help you establish three things.

You will be back in the role of leader and protector for your horse.

Your horse will know she is allowed and expected to move away from a threat.

She will know to focus back to you and let you decide the course of action.

I hope this helps. I would make this my priority to fix before I took my horse anywhere in public. Good luck.