The Warning Signs of Horses Kicking

To ensure safety, it is important for people who come into contact with horses to be aware of the warning signals that a horse displays before kicking. Horses can kick for a number of reasons, including confusion during training, lack of trust and fear. Horses also can kick when they are feeling playful. Handlers can figure out if a horse is about to kick by watching for a number of signs in the body language of the horse and by interpreting any noises that the animal is making.

  1. Ears

    • A horse that is simply happy or relaxed will have its ears facing forward or out to the sides, whereas a horse that pins its ears back flat is showing a sign of fear or aggression. In this case the handler should proceed with caution as the horse may be about to kick.

    Tail

    • A swishing tail is a signal of an aggressive horse and, therefore, can be an indication that the horse is about to kick. This should not be confused with a horse carrying its tail high while also holding its head in a high position, as this is a sign of a horse that is happy, healthy and alert.

    Sound

    • A handler can interpret the sounds that a horse makes to note when the animal is feeling afraid or unsure. This can be difficult as most of the sounds that the horse makes can display more than one emotion. For this reason, it is important to continue to pay attention to the horse's body language. Snorting or blowing through the nostrils can show that the horse is feeling frightened or wary of a situation, although this also can mean that the horse is excited and expecting something good is about to happen. Neighing can be a sign of immense anxiety or confidence.

    Other Signs

    • There are a number of subtle signs that a horse may show when he is about to kick. These include dropping the head slightly, a jerking or shaking of the muscles or limbs and showing the whites of the eyes. These signals can all indicate fear or aggression.