All Kicking can not be classified into one category. The horses
intensions are each addressed and handled in different ways. No such thing
as one size fits all. Since horses do not speak in words they communicate
through the body. It is up to the handler to become a true horseman and
speak the horses language.
The habit
Primarily horses that have not
been exposed to touch. For this use a crop and use the crop as an
extension of your hand. Do like you would when petting a horse. The hand
follows the formation of the horse gently.
With the crop start at the croup
and run down the horses leg. When ever the horse kicks out start over
again and just act like the horse did not kick out. Soon the horse will
think nothing of the touch.
Dominance
This horse would be out to hurt
you and get you out of the country. With these horses I do what is
called whip train . You do not touch them but you let them know
that this behavior is not expectable. And if the horse lashes out the
horse gets lashed in the heels in mid air on his own..
This should only be done by
someone that is experienced and can read the horse even before the horse
acts out. In the end this horse will not be afraid or resentful of the
human or whip as a) the whip did not do anything wrongful b) the
horse will have great respect for the human. How? it is psychological
not physical. The horse will end up following you anywhere.
Do the same thing as in the
biting. Swish the whip back and forth and let him hit the whip.
Sometimes big lashers (the horse) standing next to a wide wood board
fence will kick out and hit the boards. They will punish themselves by
kicking the fence. If he wants to do that so be it. He runs into the
fence not the fence running into him. It does not feel good and he will
think "ouch that was stupid of me".
Some horses are stall kickers, but that is another problem of it’s own
away from this. If the horse does kicks you kick him back, but only the
instant it happens. Do not do a little soft kick, kick like you are
killing him but only for 2-3 seconds. You may feel like you are killing
him, but he will feel like he was spanked. If you go away from the horse
from the pain he gave you and then coming back to punish him. The deed
has gone away for to long to be punished for the crime. And you will
have to chalk it up as a learning experience to be on your feet the next
time.
Resisting
Does the horse lash out because of
something you did that he responded to only kick. Does the horse know
what you wanted? If you prick him he has every right to come back at
you. Time to think of a better way to communicate to the horse what you
want in a way that he understands.
Sometimes horses lash out because
they have been ill handled/trained. An over "gushy"
handler will only spoil as horse. The horse will be trained to believe
that he doesn't have to listen to anyone.
A horseman will praise a horse,
but they make sure the horse also does something that deserves a
reward. Patience is worthy of a reward in it's self.
Playing
If the horse thinks it’s time to
cut loose and have fun when you think other wise. You need to show him
that recess is not in session and that he needs to keep his mind paying
attention to you.