[QUOTE=Beverley;5808791]
But circling back to the initial query- if this is a horse that kicks at other horses in group situations, and owner wanted to TRY to cure it- well, first, find a group of willing (and knowledgeable) volunteers on a non- hunting day, set horse up in a situation where it would try to kick, and provide the appropriate Come To Jesus moment. And I do mean make that horse think is it headed for the pearly gates. Rinse and repeat over course of that same ride and repeat rides. If progress appears to be coming, you still press the message- have volunteers venture closer in TINY and SAFE increments, e.g. passing on trail but with appropriate buffer- horse makes malicious move, horse gets another CTJ moment. Easy enough to tell if horse gets message. But even if seemingly ‘cured,’ that horse should ALWAYS be ridden in the rear, WITH red ribbon in tail, and well away from others at the meet and at checks. And it shouldn’t ever be anywhere within 1/2 mile of a hound (leastwise that would be my edict were I queen) and if a hound comes along that rider No Matter What makes sure that horse’s business end is where it cannot meet hound.
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THIS!! There IS something that can be done about kickers. This is the ‘cure’ approach. I also suggest a ‘buffer’ approach for some, in which said kicker comes out with a pasture buddy who is ALWAYS the kicker’s tail. This approach usually works best for a couple who’s horse’s are attached anyway.
Dressage whips can be very useful for kickers. Lets you target the offending leg and really make a point without disrupting the rest of the ride and is best used when horse pins ears and starts to hitch a hip, as preventative. Tap, tap is the warning before WHAP WHAP if horse does try to get a leg out.
Kickers should also be very maneuverable with leg and seat aids, so that the rider can easily relocate the horse’s bum during checks and runs. This horse should be exceptional at swinging its hips into the bushes as hounds move through or making space so that someone can reach the flask. I do think horses who have kicked in the past can be members of the hunt field, but it is a double-time job for the rider since ultimately, a kicking horse is the rider’s responsibility.
If the owner does not feel able or willing to fix this situation, then find a hunting professional and let said pro hunt the horse for a month. If the owner sees that the horses behaviour can be altered and controlled she should be more willing to enforce good behaviour. Some riders seem to have an ‘oh its just him’ kind of attitude which is NOT ACCEPTABLE. In this case it really is rider, not horse, who needs a tune up though;)
