Why Horses Kick
By Jennifer Williams, PhD
Horses may also kick out of annoyance. If your horse seems to strike out for no reason while he's being groomed, he may be telling you that he finds the experience unpleasant or even painful. If you treat these kicks as a behavior problem without investigating what's prompting them, you're likely to compound the situation by creating more negative associations.
You can recognize the pain kick by observing what leads up to the behavior and whether it stops when stimuli are removed. A horse who kicks from pain doesn't typically posture or threaten first; he simply kicks when he feels discomfort. Once you've relieved his pain, the kicking will usually stop immediately. If your horse is kicking while being groomed, for instance, the solution may be as simple as a switch to a softer brush or terry towel.
It gets more complicated, of course, when observant horses begin kicking when they anticipate pain--a sore-backed horse may strike out when he sees you approach with a saddle, for instance. In these cases, it may take time for the kick response to diminish even after you've eliminated the unpleasant stimuli. The horse will need to learn that the object that previously pained him no longer causes him discomfort.
Message: "I feel frustrated."
We've all known a horse who kicks at the stall wall if you aren't, in his opinion, quick enough to deliver his grain. Horses who kick the inside of the trailer when they arrive at the destination but haven't been unloaded are probably similarly annoyed. You can recognize a frustration kick by the body language that typically accompanies it. Head flipping, pinned ears, lunging forward or even rearing slightly are all indications of impatience. The horse doesn't appear frightened, just antsy.
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Frustration kicks can be dealt with in several ways. If the horse strikes out only at mealtime, simply feeding him first may solve the problem. If you're worried he is going to hurt himself, you may want to install kicking boards. These structures, which resemble a two-foot-deep shelf running along the stall perimeter at stifle height, prevent a kicking horse from connecting with the stall wall.
Horses aren't as likely to hurt themselves kicking in the trailer because they are so close to the wall they can't build up enough power. I've seen some people successfully use kicking chains, which are suspended from a cuff secured just above the hock and swing into the horse's leg with each strike. But I've also seen many horses stop kicking when the chains are on and resume the behavior the moment they are taken off. Hobbles have a similar drawback--they work only when they are on.
You might also choose to ignore frustration kicking if the horse isn't putting himself, another horse or a person at risk. As with playful kicking, however, you'll want to keep an eye on the situation to make sure it doesn't escalate.
Message: "Back off."
A horse who kicks while being ridden is usually reacting to another horse who has gotten too close to his hind end. How close is too close varies with each horse's personality. Some, particularly dominant mares, are very strict about their personal space and take offense when any horse comes within 20 feet of their hindquarters. Another horse may become agitated only when a herdmate draws within a foot of his tail.
I know many horses who have never kicked at a person but will not hesitate to take aim at a horse who comes up on their rear on the trail or in the showring. Tailgating kicks are typically mild "warning" kicks but can still be powerful enough to break the bones of any rider who might take the brunt of the blow.
Because of this potential for injury, it's never a good idea to allow kicking under saddle to go without correction, even if a kick seems justified. When a horse you are riding kicks out, instantly give him a sharp pop with a crop or the end of the reins to let him know it isn't acceptable. The correction must be immediate, however, so he will make the appropriate connection.
If your horse has kicked under saddle before, you need to take special precautions to protect others. First, tie a red ribbon around his tail to warn that he is a kicker. Also, when riding in a group, position yourself at the back.
Finally, as much as possible stay out of crowded arenas and be extra vigilant about where you are in relation to other riders, keeping your horse's focus on you and your aids. It is your responsibility to protect the other riders, not their responsibility to avoid you.
