Disciplining the horse

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

I'd have kicked it back, shouted NO! then picked the foot up again.
If he gave me the foot without kicking out etc i would have praised him with my voice and with a pat.

 

[Theresa_F]

That is what I do, I ask nicely and if they do as asked, they are given lots of praise.

If they do not, they are told - firmly and accompanied with a finger poke.

Then I demand which normally involves an old lead rope or Mr Sticky paying a small visit

I have never had to go beyond demand and now rarely do more than ask as they quickly learn that ask is nice and demand is not.

Some horses do take more than verbal commands at first - my cob paid no attention until he realised that the voice would be backed up by far sterner methods - now he listens (nearly all the time).

 

[brighthair]

I'd have gone with instinct which would have been - growl and a slap. Then pick it up again, lots of praise if fine that time. My instinct if I was bitten or kicked, is always a slap - never on the head though

 

[MrsMozart]

Dizz has raised a foot to me, so I raised one back. She hasn't done it since. If a horse tried to kick, unless it was in pain (and even then I wouldn't be too happy about it), it would get kicked or thumped back. As we all know, horses are too big to be waving powerful legs around!

 

[Amaretto]

[ QUOTE ]
There is a little saying about getting a horse to work something like
ask - tell - demand?

Maybe try the 'No' and re-picking up as others have suggested first to 'ask' him to behave, with praise if he does. You might find that is all that is needed.

If it doesn't work and he tries to kick again you can 'escalate' to a scarier voice/slap or similar to 'tell' him to behave, again, with praise if he does.

And so on...

Obviously is some situations (e.g. taking off towards a road) you don't have time for this. But when you do it can keep things as calm as possible and you won't feel as guilty if you do end up getting physical because you've given him a chance to understand and behave first.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't feel guilty, he barely felt it and I was replicating herd behaviour. He actually did make contact with my elbow, which could have been really nasty, especially if he had shoes on at the back. If he hadn't connected with me I think I would have taken the approach suggested, but I feel in this case, the message needed to be conveyed to him strongly that this is NOT allowed, because he had hurt me. He has been an absolute sweety tonight and I like him again now, even though my elbow is very colourful and swollen and I found it painful to brush him!

 

[OldGit]

Definately an immediate kick/knee in belly, I wouldn't on leg. Once punched horse, bugger saw it coming and dropped shoulder end result bust 5th metacarpal. He didn't get a second smack for that - that was me being stupid!!! Hence a boot!