How to Train a Horse Not to Kick

Horses that kick are no fun to work around. a kick from a horse, especially a shod horse, can be deadly. Kicking is a learned behavior used to enforce dominance, express pain or used for defense against predators and other horses. If a previously well-behaved horse starts kicking, have your vet check him for back, tooth or other pain. If a dominant horse starts kicking at you, you must use firm, consistent handling to convince him that you are the dominant one. Beating and intimidation will not teach your horse to respect you; you may need to consult a professional trainer to help you. Here is one method you may use to teach your horse not to kick.

Things You'll Need

  • Well-fitted nylon or leather halter
  • Cotton lead rope
  • Enclosed space away from other horses and distractions
  • Riding or fitted gloves
  • ASTM or SEI certified helmet
  • 43-inch or longer dressage whip
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Instructions

  1. How to train a horse not to kick

    • 1

      Your horse must lead and stand quietly and know what "whoa," "no," and "back" mean before you teach him not to kick. For your safety, have your farrier pull his back shoes.

    • 2

      Use a nylon or leather halter that is not a breakaway halter. It must be well-fitted to your horse. Do not use a stud chain; use a cotton lead rope instead. Make sure you wear an ASTM/SEI-approved, properly fitted helmet during the training sessions.

    • 3

      Start by leading your horse into an enclosed space, preferably away from other horses. Position your horse in the middle of the space, leaving enough clearance between your horse's hind legs and the walls that you have room to get out of range it he kicks. Have him stand quietly for five minutes. He can look around, but he should not whinny for other horses, paw, move around you, rear or attempt to get away. If he does not stand quietly you will need to continue training him until he leads and stands quietly before teaching him not to kick.

    • 4

      After he stands quietly for five minutes, begin by stroking your horse's neck and shoulders with your hand. Stand level with his neck to do this. Talk to him quietly and keep your movements slow and calm. When he accepts your stroking without moving or becoming nervous, move to his shoulders and begin stroking his shoulders, down his front legs, back and sides. Your horse should remain standing quietly without moving while you do this. Keep the training session short, no longer than 20 minutes a day. It may take several days or even weeks before your horse stands quietly while you stroke him.

    • 5

      When your horse stands quietly while you stroke his back and sides with your hand introduce the dressage whip. Allow your horse to look at the whip and sniff or mouth it. When your horse is comfortable with the whip in your hand, run the butt (handle) of the whip down his neck and shoulder. You should be standing at your horse's neck, facing his body to do this. When your horse stands quietly while you touch him with the butt of the whip, reverse the whip and run the lash gently over your horse's neck and shoulder.

    • 6

      When your horse stands quietly while you run the lash over his neck and shoulder, move from his neck to his shoulder. At this point, you will be turned slightly towards his hindquarters. Begin running the lash end of the whip over your horse's back and sides, and down his back legs. Keep the pressure firm. If your horse raises a back leg, or kicks out, tell him "no" in a firm voice and have him back up a step. Allow your horse to settle down and begin again. Do this until he stands quietly while the lash is run down his back legs.

    • 7

      When your horse accepts the lash run down his back legs without becoming tense, you are ready to run your hand down his back legs. Have someone hold your horse. Move as close to his body as you can. Position yourself at his hip, facing toward his rear. Keep one hand on his leg, just above his thigh. Gently run your other hand down his legs, from the hip to the hoof. Run your hand on the outside and inside of his leg. Watch his body language as you do this. If he becomes tense or starts swishing his tail, stop, move towards his shoulder and start stroking his shoulder, sides and back with your hand until he relaxes. As soon as he relaxes and stands quietly, go back to his hip and begin over. Do not pick up his feet, even if he offers them; instead, have the person holding your horse back him up a step. Wait until his back feet are back on the ground and he is standing squarely before attempting to continue stroking his back legs.

    • 8

      When your horse allows your to stoke his back legs while standing quietly, it's time to walk behind him. With someone holding your horse and you close to his body, walk down his body and around his hindquarters. If he becomes tense, raises his head or swishes his tail, move out of kicking range. Continue walking around him, talking quietly to him as you do, until he stands quietly. While no horse can be completely trained not to kick, following these directions and spending time every month to reinforce the training will go a long way to teaching him to respect your authority.