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kicking while mounting

4K views 12 replies 10 participants last post by  booner 
#1 ·
Yesterday my hubbies horse was trying to kick him while he attempted to get in the saddle(didnt know for sure this is what he was doing).And later on the trail, he got off him and he did get kicked when mounting back up.So we are sure he was trying to kick earlier.What would cause him to do this?Everything was the same as far as tack goes.Not ruling it out of course.We are riding today so I'll be real thorough on checking under the pad etc. to make sure theres no foreign object.BTW this is the first time he has shown this behavior.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Was hubby mounting from the ground? He could of been pulling the saddle over a bit and it was hurting his withers. Hubby could of poked him with his boot in the belly and he didn't like it. Maybe the girth was too tight.

I would give the horse the benefit of the doubt and ask hubby to try to ensure he's getting in the saddle correctly and when at all possible use something as a mounting block. Guys are heavier and quite frankly have a lot less fineness (LOL) about mounting. Even if you put the horse into a bit of a dip will help.
 
#5 ·
My husband is a certified Equine Physical Therapist and Chiropractic adjuster. Your horse just described one of the symptoms of a problem that could be related to the withers and/or pelvic region. I suggest finding a CEST AND chiropractic adjuster. You need for a professional to first give an all over massage, which relaxes your horse's muscles as well as his disposition---then an adjustment should follow. This should not be a hard-hit area to your wallet. In our area, my husband charges $85 total for both the procedures, which will take about an hour or maybe more, depending on the horse's problems. Just make sure you ask around a bit---like in all areas of professionals---there are good ones, and then, well, not so good.
Good Luck.
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the replies
English Rider he is 8, and all the tack is the same as he's been using for almost 4 months.And we took the horse to get fitted for the saddle.Not that Im ruling it out, its just weird cuz its a new vice.

We both need to do lots of ground work w/ both boys.I agree w/ that.

G&K I dont think it was his boot, cuz hubby tried(made the motion of lifting his foot to stirrup, made no contact)getting on and his back leg raised and did a funny frontward motion.At the time we couldnt figure out what he was doing, until later on the trail hubby got off and he did kick him when remounting.

I use a chair or whatever to get on, Im too heavy and older and cant lift myself easily and dont want my weight hanging on my horses side for any length of time.
Just today on our ride hubby broke a twig off a bush to have in hand if he tried to kick him, it seemed to work.He made the horse know he had it too.
Most importantly(almost forgot) when saddleing this horse, saddle just sitting on his back, nothing strapped, Jim was reaching for the cinch under his belly and he tried to kick.I had to go around the other side and hand it to him.
Its so puzzling cuz this horse never did anything but toss his head before while being saddled(need to break that too)but this kick thing is new.

We are new riders and I know there can be many things come up and many answers, just want some to start with.Thanks again.
 
#7 ·
From your last post it is beginning to sound like a progressive habit. He was shaking his head and now has progressed to kicking.

Does he try to kick if you handle him without trying put his saddle on? It may be saddle fit even if you had it fitted 4 months ago. When I got my gelding in June, he was relatively unfit and I needed a buildup pad to have my saddle fit him (this was a new saddle and after trying 6 different saddles). He had a good size back but no real shoulders to match. Now, 5 months latter and a lot of riding, the saddle fits him perfectly.

My point is that although the saddle fit him several months ago, maybe it no longer fits him.
 
#8 ·
I guess his saddle might be the problem, we check the sweat marks for rubbing(bare spots) after each ride.But if hes attempting to kick w/ the saddle just sitting on him w/ no rider, not cinched do you think he'd still act up?
Its all so bizarre,he does toss his head when hes being cinched, even if you make a movement(not pulling the strap at all)he anticipates it and tosses his head.Its quite comical at times.
He doesnt try to kick ever when you handle him, cleaning his feet, brushing etc.This is all new as of yesterday.
I guess will see if this is a continued trick of his....or if something is really bothering him.
 
#9 ·
"all the tack is the same as he's been using for almost 4 months."

It's very possible that his shape has changed - more or less muscle or fat. Horses change all the time - just like people! Invest in the saddle fitter again to see if it still fits. Is your husband a good rider? Maybe he's hurting the horse (bouncing too much, pulling on his mouth, legs swinging, etc) so the horse doesn't want him on his back.
 
#10 ·
I would never rule out a physical reason for your horses behavior. However, be sure to consider there may be a psychological reason also.
I purchased a QH mix that spent 7 years at a riding stable as a lesson horse. He is really SMART and decided that he could use "threatening" behavior to discourage his inexperienced riders to whom he was going with in circles with around the arena. He also discovered he could fake a limp in the arena and get put back in his stall. (He never limped out of the arena and has never once limped since we have had him and the pre-owner, chiro and the vet decided he figured it out as a way to get out of working). We purchased him as a trail horse and he is exceptional. Next year he will start MSAR certification training.
He initially will put his ears back and look right at you, then side-step in to "your space", and then when brushing him he will slowly pick up his back leg and move it in your direction as if he is intending to strike at you. During the first month we had him this behavior was present everyday but has slowly dwindled to occasional-rare. He once decided he did not want me to mount him when we were out on a ride and got a correction and it went well after that. We have found that when we quickly corrected him it was best and now just a look in the eye, a wagging of the finger and the word "no" works great. His little ears just perk right back up and he becomes his lovey, dovey self - his personality which he seems to keep hidden under the surface for his special people. Really his personality just cracks you up as he is so smart and has those really expressive white-lined eyes. He will still try to con my kids or guest riders every now and then. My husband and I have no problem anymore. We have found him to be truly a special horse and are really glad he is a member of our family.
Developing respect is really important and although we chose not to do round pen work with him (only because we wanted to change his life and keep him away from mundane work). There are other ways it can be accomplished too. Slow on-the-ground in-hand work can be just as effective and a necessary training tool to use for those horse lovers that don't have access to a round pen.
I will be interested to see how it goes for you. Good luck.
 
#11 ·
I would take a look at the tack. There might be something that is causing him pain. I would check out the equipment you are using. If you tack isn't the issue I would definetely take him in an arena and work on fixing the problem with ground work before it gets even more dangerous.
 
#13 ·
We are thinking now he may have been cinched too tight.
We were told you should be able to get 2 fingers under the cinch when tightened.Hubby says theres no way he could have.I know he didnt do this on purpose, was probably cinching as he always had and Chanees body may be changing(weight).
And no hubby is not that overweight, this is a big QH.
We'll find out on next ride, maybe tomorrow.
Thanks for all the help.
 
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