Ridecamp: Re: [RC] kicking question

My mare would get nasty with other horse, even try to turn and kick on 
occasion.  I worked with her a LOT on this.  It just takes being totally 
vigilant ever minute when you are riding with someone.  I would correct her 
verbally or with a slight leg or rein cue whenever her ears went back, and if 
any thing worse happened, I would spin her in a circle, or whatever it took 
to distract her from acting up.  It helps if you have someone to ride with 
who isn't easily intimidated, who will also scold your horse if she even 
looks cross-eyed.  

The other thing that worked for me was that I got an 18 month old molly mule 
in September.  Knowing how much my mare hates any other horses to get close, 
I put the two of them in the arena, and turned them loose at first.  Then 
after a bit, after they had words, I saddled the mare and made her work 
closer and closer to the mule, all the while not letting her get bratty or 
even take a step in a direction I didn't ask for, or lay back her ears.  We 
finally worked so close that I could grab the halter rope on the mule, and 
then I ponied the mule off my mare.  All the time, I demanded that the mare 
pay attention to ME and only me.  Today I took the mare out with her most 
hated enemy (at least if you count the number of times she has threatened to 
make mincemeat of it) and my mare was better than she has ever been.  She 
occasionally tried to lay her ears back, but always got reprimanded, and my 
friend and I had a really good ride.  Incidentally, it was raining AND dark.  
No head lights.  jeri

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