Instructions
Determine why the horse is kicking. Note if the horse seems to kick to relieve anxiety or tension, as kicking may indicate a behavioral or psychological problem that requires special attention and treatment. Closely observe the horse in its stall and during activity to notice other symptoms that may indicate an abnormal disposition.
Give your horse adequate exercise, in case your horse is kicking to burn energy or relieve tension. Exercise it daily, ideally once in the morning and once at night. Avoid over-feeding your horse, as excess feed can also cause it to kick.
Clear the horse's stall of any hanging objects that may trigger kicking when they come in contact with its legs. For instance, remove items that may brush against the horse, as horses are by instinct self-defensive.
Provide your horse with a routine, if possible. Place him in the same stall with the same neighbors. Horses sometimes kick when they are uncomfortable with unfamiliar neighbors or when they dislike their neighbors.
Affix a horizontal board inside the stall behind the rump to prevent the horse from getting close enough to the wall to kick it and cause injury to itself or to the stall. Alternatively, suspend a kicking chain from a leather strap above the hock. This chain will reprimand the horse every time it kicks. The device is painful, causing many to question if the treatment is humane. However, if your horse's habit of kicking is not broken, it may soon injure himself more severely and even break a leg.
How to Break Horses That Want to Kick
Horses are strong, powerful animals, and their kicks are violent and forceful. Sometimes, horse kicks seriously hurt a horse by injuring hooves or legs. They can also damage stable doors and stall walls, as well as injure people or horses nearby. Horses kick playfully, as part of their natural herd behavior, and out of self-defense. Since horse kicking is contagious, it is important to break a horse of the habit before other horses assume it.