Random kicking ?!!

I have an 11 yr old mare that is very gentle and usually very good with people and other animals walking around her. The other day, I put feed in the buckets hanging on the fence- and when I walked around her to put hay on the rack she kicked me unexpectedly. It was not that hard, but it sure didn't tickle either! I, of course, got mad and frustrated trying to figure out why she, of all horses, would do that? Have any of you ever had something like that happen? And is it something that I should ignore or what? Any help would be great!

I wouldn't ignore it, that's for certain. But it is not at ALL unlikely a horse's behavior will change around food. It's actually quite common. Discipline her the way you feel is correct, but don't ignore it even if it is a common thing.

You should always discipline for kicking at you, especially if she hits you. I think what I'd have done is reactively smacked her in the butt and yelled "NO" at her, more out of the shock of the kick than anything else....then I'd put a lead on her and walk her in a couple of circles. I like to show her that I'm always in control and will be one step ahead of her should she think it's ok to be cocky. My mare has never kicked me before, but she does throw out a back kick after I walk away from her when I feed...she gets a slap on the bum for that.
Never ignore a horse that does anything aggressive to you, no matter how mild it may seem. Ella gets in trouble just for laying her ears back at me. Thankfully, I don't have to worry about too much of that stuff with her.

Most likely your mare could have been experiencing one of a few things:

Possessive issues in the field(food problems with others), space issues with you and she was telling you to back off, or she was just down right having a bad day. She could have even thought that you were intending to bring her in to do something that maybe she wasn't crazy about doing, like working lol.

Yes, I agree with the others, you should correct her for this behavior. Be careful of smacking her rear, if she is feeling a little rowdy you don't really want to be close to that region. One thing you can do with her is establish your space and hers. If she gets too close, raise your hands and waive them at her until she backs off. Eventually she will learn that she doesn't want to invade your space because you are just going to push her away. Establish your place with her, and every once and a while she will need a little reminder lol!

Any chance you startled her?

I deffonitaly wouldnt ignor it, that's a serious matter. Maybe she didnt quiet see you or the bucket and she spooked, but I don't think she ment it. Imo I think she mite have gotton starteled, becuase you said yourself she has never done that defore. But is she now doing it continueously? (sp?)

I completely agree with softtrainer.

OT: softtrainer I'm assuming you do natural horsemanship correct?