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[RC] Help with kicking leaping bolter - rides2farI need help. I busted it good today and I hurt. Aren't new horses fun? Here's the deal. My new horse has a trick. He has done it 4 or 5 times now and it's getting worse. The first time he kicked out he was standing in my shed looking out at the rain and I began to open a stall door that was directly behind him that had a black hay bag hanging on the outside. When the door moved he instantly gave it a double whammy with both hind feet and bolted out of the barn about 20 yards and turned around to see what almost ate him. 2nd offense: We were on the trail, stopped to talk to a man & his dog, then as we turned to leave Josie was starting to walk past him with Ben. All I felt was him leap up and forward two or three good leaps then wheel around to look and Josie said he'd kicked Ben. I didn't feel the kick, just felt like a semi-bucking 25 yard runaway. 3rd offense: Was taking his first dressage lesson (actually first ever going forward in the open not following another horse on a trail riding lesson) and he did not like the instructor who had on a straw hat. Did well on the lesson but froze at one point looking off in the distance towards a train. Trainer strolled over and spoke and all heck broke loose. Leap, leap, leap, spin...trainer is holding her thigh where she got nailed HARD. 4rd offense: Trail riding last weekend and he got a stick in his tail. Plunged into the leaping thing and I'll bet money he kicked as he took off. Today: Riding down the trail and he was totally relaxed. My Australian Shepherd was racing through the woods plunging out onto the trail often. He was very awareof her because he likes to see if he can nip her when she's in front. Josie was riding in front and I was behind her. Dog was behind me. He was *not* surprised by her, he sort of gave her the eye for a moment then BOOM! He leaps up in the air and snaps that kick out HARD...then this time he landed trying to run away at a dead run. I pulled the hide off 3 fingers trying to pull his nose around but that little rat was determined to run off wide open. I couldn't salvage my position and bailed before he could plaster me into a tree. He ran the whole way home (1/2 mile through the woods taking several turns) and was standing quietly outside the fence near the other horses when I got home. Now, I know how to punish a horse for kicking, but it's hard to do when he throws in all the extra stuff. At first I thought he'd been startled the first 3 times, but today was premeditated as far as I'm concerned. He's a little touchy about his rear legs...when I pick his rear feet up he wants to sort of snap them up and punch a little. I came home and tied a rug on a rope and threw it behind him and dragged it towards me a few times. He kicked at it a time or so and when it touched him he INSTANTLY snapped a kick. I sprayed him with the waterhose and he kicked several times then quit. Right now he's standing in a stall with his tail braided in a loop and a big floppy hat attached to it and flopping against his rear ankles. I think this is endurance related because my friend's endurance mule did the same thing. Besides, you all want this cured before I get out on in competition! I don't have a round pen but am willing to haul to one for a really good desensitizing lesson. He does't give a lot of dirty looks, but did give Ben the "don't you dare pass me" look once. He doesn't swish his tail or give any indication he plans to kick, he just explodes forward. I'm riding him with a French Link Snaffle and he's been very responsive and hasn't needed a running martingale but his nose went up when he was bolting and I had nothing on him. I couldn't even get him off the narrow trail when I tried to circle. I don't think he's far enough along in training (started him in Aug) for leverage but I want something. I think the martingale might have helped. I think I should ride him again soon and may pony him off Ben till he's good & tired then ride him. Today was the first time I'd been on him in a week due to Josie's basketball schedule. He may be just about due a long ride. He mostly gets 1 hr. walk/trot, mostly walk with some hills. I'm thinking about fixing the stall where I can swing big black hay bags, and all sorts of other boogers across from overhead. Thought about turning him out with a bunch of flagging dragging behind his tail but I'd hate for him to run through a fence. :-P I just want to nip this in the bud. He was soooo good in Aug., Sept, and the first of Oct...but things are deteriorating fast. Other than these episodes he's been amazingly good. Go figure. If this isn't endurance related enough, you can send me your advice privately and I'll report back on what worked...if I'm still around. :-O Angie Angie ________________________________________________________________ Juno Platinum $9.95. Juno SpeedBand $14.95. Sign up for Juno Today at http://www.juno.com! Look for special offers at Best Buy stores. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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