My Horse has a tendency to try to kick other horses when I am out on the trail. He seems to be alright at home in the pasture but when we are away from home he will try to kick horses that come near to us.

This is an excellent question. The problem is a common one as well as a very dangerous one. So it is wise to fix it before somebody gets hurt. One common approach to this problem is to tie a red ribbon onto the horse’s tail as a warning sign not to get within kicking distance. The problem with this approach obviously is that it doesn’t solve the problem. It is however, a sign of another common problem, and that is letting the horse train us instead of the other way around. Well I will get off of my soap box now and address the problem.

The place to begin this problem solving is to be with your horse by your self at home in the riding area that you have chosen. Choose a place where you have complete control over your horse. Now make sure that you can ask your horse to go forward and he will do so willingly. Your horse must go forward when you ask. Now practice making lots of turns. Make a lot of ninety degree turns.

Once you horse moves forward willingly and you can ask for precise turns and get them where and when you want them it is time to introduce another horse. Have a friend come into the area where you are working with your horse. Ask them to just ride around the area not really pay any attention to what you are doing. Now you will ask your horse to just move forward and make lots of turns. Gradually, work your horse toward you friend and their horse. Don’t go too close too fast just slowly work your way over to be near the other horse while repeatedly asking your horse to speed up and slow down with lots of turns in between.

As you get closer and closer to the other horse keep a close watch out for indications that your horse is thinking about kicking. If you see any indication that you horse will kick turn his nose toward the other horse. Then ask the other rider turn and ride away from you. This will accomplish two things. The horse will turn and face the threat and he won’t be able to kick out at the other horse. So, always turn your horse toward the horse that he is trying to kick. Now go back to going forward and turning until you are comfortable that you can walk calmly along side of the other horse and your horse won’t try to kick the other horse. The moment that you get any indication that your horse might kick out turn his head toward the other horse and have the other horse turn and walk away from you and your horse.

Keep practicing this until your horse will calmly walk along side the other horse. Then work with the two horses to where they can be a half a horse length away an a full length away and so on until no matter where the horses are in relation to each other they are calm and not threatened. Now leave the area that you are in and go out into an open field. Repeat the process that we have discussed above. When your horse is comfortable with this you can go out on the trail. If you get any indication that your horse will kick go back out into the open area where you can maneuver and work the process as described.

Hope this helps and remember that if you have a question please just give me a call or e-mail your question. Well have fun and be Safe!