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Re: [RC] Help with kicking leaping bolter - Dabney Finch

Angie,

I'll bet you'll receive lots of wonderful techniques (one of which, apparently, you are already using) that will help. (Variations on the "ho hum. that scary thing again" & the "it's more uncomfortable to kick than it is fun to get that adrenaline rush")

Based on my experience with a similar sounding horse I was aboslutely mad about, however, I think what he mostly needs is to get a little tired after having a whole bunch of fun working off some of that excess adrenaline-- by going forward.

(So don't use a tiedown or running martingale, because then you're still directing the energy to the back end, if that makes sense?)

I like this horse and if you decide you don't want him---you be sure and let me know.

--Dabney


----- Original Message ----- From: <rides2far@xxxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2004 8:10 PM
Subject: [RC] Help with kicking leaping bolter


I 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

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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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Replies
[RC] Help with kicking leaping bolter, rides2far