Now THAT’S the best approach I’ve
seen so far. When they are on their own in the pasture, they can sort it out
anyway they like and defend themselves as appropriate. However, when “I”
am present, “I” am herd leader, whether in the saddle or on the
ground. ANYTHING that looks like aggression toward me or another horse in my
presence will result in “ripping their hide off and feeding them to the
crows”. (Figuratively, of course) J It doesn’t take all that much effort if you are
consistent and make the “punishment fit the crime”. That is,
how hard you react, depends on the seriousness of the offense. My horses
wouldn’t even CONSIDER kicking or biting, no matter what the aggression
by another horse IF I AM THERE. (I will admit, I have “whacked”
somebody else’s horse under certain circumstances. <Cringing, ducking
and running>
From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of tracey smith Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005
3:33 PM To: ridecamp Subject: [RC] kicking
I
am with Diane and Dawn...when it appears my mare is even "thinking" of kicking (and yes you usually do get some
kind of clue) she gets reprimanded.
Amira was a HORRID
kicker when I first got her! Anything that got within
10 feet of her (human or equine) was a likely target. On the ground,
I actually did the same thing Diane mentioned...if she raised that leg
like she was thinking of kicking...I kicked her! Not hard mind you...but
enough to smart and remind her who the boss mare was.
When mounted...the minute those ears even started to go back she got a
good solid THWAP with a riding
crop and I also always said "put em up"
(meaning her ears). The funny thing is now a year later if the ears go
back...all I have to do is say sternly "Put 'em up" and the ears go up
and she changes her mind if she'd been thinking of a kick. She no longer
does it on the ground...but will occasionally threaten if a strange
gelding is behind us...or if someone runs up on us.
And yes, I HATE those riders that run up your butt continuously too...but
even if she's not the instigator my mare gets reprimanded for kicking
(or even thinking about it). I tell her if some horsey butt whooping
needs to take place (how's that for suthern) than I WILL DO IT...not her!
