Horse striking out when catching from field

Paint Me Proud

Paint Me Proud

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A 3 year old gelding that I am helping a girl with has started a naughty habit.

When I go to the field to bring him in whenever I get close he turns his bum to me and kicks out with both back legs.

Now I wasnt prepared to let him get away with this so each time he struck out I flicked him with the lead rope and moved him along, then followed him and approached again. We did this for 10 minutes before he stopped near the gate so I approached with my back towards him, then held out my hand behind me and just waited quietly. Within seconds his nose was in my hand, i gave a treat and popped the headcollar on.

Anyone else had problems with a horse kicking out in the field?
 
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In a word, yes! My 13 year old WB can be extremely rude if he doesn't want to come in, rearing up and then swinging round to kick out. If you can get him to near the gate however, he relaxes and is normally (though not always!) fine from then on. Unfortunately, despite trying a variety of techniques I've got to a point of managing him rather than re-educating him.
 
I had a pony who would be ok to catch for months then all of a sudden randomly decide he didn t want to come in any more...kicking out at me etc, I tried all the usual food etc but nothing would convince him to be caught! I was free schooling him once and when I had finished it then took me an hour and a half to catch him!! another time he was in the field and wouldn't come in so I had to round him up with a JCB!! (I was not allowed to leave him out over night)

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R.I.P my little boy x x <3 x x
 
Yes!! My 3 yr used to do this. He also used to rear and try and land on you or strike out wit his front feet while being led.

Is this horse doing any form of "work"?
 
It basically is putting you in your place, i.e. exerting its dominance, for whatever reason. Running away is one thing but attempting or threatening to kick isn't on. Usually its not just confined to one area, there will be subtle signs elsewhere that it feels itself to be in charge.
 
When we got out first horse, the first time I went to catch him to ride (he'd been fine to feed) he kicked out at me. Being a novice, I jumped back but happily the rope swung out and caught his 'bum'. He never tried that again. He would never come to call though
We have never had a problem catching any other horse, they've all come to call but then the others have all been mares - don''t know if that makes a difference.
 
bunnereeny said:
Yes!! My 3 yr used to do this. He also used to rear and try and land on you or strike out wit his front feet while being led.

Is this horse doing any form of "work"?
Click to expand...

he has just started last week being backed (albeit by complete idiots!) and I have started today to work with him too (trying to balance out the rubbish he is being taught!!)

I am hoping that the more i work with him and get some groundwork established that I might be able to nip the kicking in the bud.
 
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