Re: RC: working with a kicker

[Trishmare7@aol.com]

Hi Marlene,
     My David is also a kicker.  Like Sudan, he is most liable to kick when 
he is feeling frustrated, and/or trapped.   David is 9, has been a kicker 
since I bought him (at 3).   Best solutions I've found so far:  if possible, 
when I know that David is getting frustrated, or liable to kick for any other 
reason, I ask him to start doing stuff.  Lower his head, turn in circles, 
sidepass, backup . .  whatever I can think of and is possible for the 
situation.  This usually gets his mind off kicking and re-focused on me.  If 
this method is not possible, then a whap on the shoulder or lower neck with 
the crop is often successful.  For David, whapping him on the butt when his 
blood is up is asking for a rodeo, but a whap on the shoulder or neck he 
recognizes as "bad boy, quit it!"   Sometimes if I just say "QUIT!!!" out 
loud, and shake my crop, he'll settle down, or at least give up the idea of 
kicking.
     Hope these ideas help.  Good Luck!

<< So I need some ideas for 1) safely working on him handling horses on his
 tail and 2) how to reprimand him when he kicks.  Unlike my mare he doesn't
 give any warning of being upset by pinning ears, he just lets fly.
 
 All ideas are appreciated. >>

Trish & King David
Grand Blanc, Michigan