EXUBERANCE KICKS The exuberant kicker
may fire in excitement when first released into a play area (e.g., being turned out for exercise) and could accidental- ly catch the handler who just released him. A horse that has never displayed this behavior might do so when turned out with other horses or when something is present that excites him. After taking two heels in the groin from a playful Belgian (in
full view of Pat Parelli and a couple of other good trainers), I now always back exuberant horses down my lead rope a couple of times, make sure that I have their attention, have them face me while I unhalter them, then hold them in place with the lead rope around their necks until I take a couple of steps back.
GENERAL KICKING ISSUES Any horse can kick refl exively if surprised, especially in the
area around the horse’s blind spot near his hind end. Let the horse know where you are at all times. Stay alert to unusual movements or weight shifts. An injured or traumatized horse may display unexpected defensive behavior. Some mares, particularly broodmares, can get crabby or defensive about things going on near their hind ends. It is always best to develop the habit of getting a sense of a horse’s state of mind before entering the “kicking zone.”
Don’t let yourself get caught between the hind end of any unproven horse and any solid object such as a wall or fence. Small children can easily disappear into a horse’s blind
spot, then pop into view when they make some sudden movement, startling the horse. Children have been seri- ously hurt by horses that have never kicked before when these children have been playing in or have run up into a
horse’s blind spot. When grooming around the hind end, stay close to the horse
on either side. It’s safer to be shoved than be kicked. If you sense the horse may be preparing to kick, you can push away from the horse and at the same time move him away from you. Never linger directly behind the horse “in the gun barrel.” When picking up feet, notice the “arc path” of the foot
and make sure you don’t put your leg or feet in line for a kick or stomp if the horse suddenly needs to take his foot back. With unproven horses, pay attention not only to the horse
but also to things going on around you. Don’t get uptight as that may serve to further unnerve the horse, but be aware of external things that you can’t control and that appear to upset the horse. Back off until the outside stimulus subsides and you can make a safe approach.
Willis Lamm is a retired fi re offi cer whose assignments included participating in emergency management and developing livestock evacuation, equestrian safety and backcountry safety programs. He was the original “Survival Guide” writer for Trail Blazer. Lamm lives in Stagecoach, Nevada, where he serves on his county’s Animal Control
and Wildlife boards, conducts safety and horse training programs, and gentles and trains formerly wild horses. He loves outdoor adventures, including prowling the backcountry and riding among the wild horse herds.
48 June | July 2010 •
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