Horses will not kick if you have hold of their tail?

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mandk

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Horses will not kick if you have hold of their tail - True or False?.........
Have heard this several times before and wondered if it is true or not.
 
True, but not just gingerly touching it
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, you need to be firmly holding it to one side, the one you are standing. Basically, they don't want to kick their own tail, it's simple enough
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Surely if you are standing to one side it would be harder for them to kick you anyway? Lol!

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You obviously haven't stood beside some of the little tykes I've had!!
 
If they're that determined they'll swing their quarters round so quick you'll be left with a handful of hair ! (Voice of experience)
Horses most often kick out in self defence if approached unexpectedly from the side or behind, hence why it's important to speak quietly and calmly as you approach their quarters and to put your hand on their rump if you have to move round the back of them.
You can definitely get kicked when standing at the side - my mare cowkicked me when I was standing by her elbow!
 
Been/seen kicked when holding tail
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Ouch. Maybe it needs pulling further round? But then I'd be worried I was pulling something out of alignment.

If neddy likely to kick, stand as close as possible, that way you are pushed away (may fall over due to the force!); do not stand two feet away - this is just about perfect for shoe to connect with shin/thigh!
 
No idea but I do know if a horse wants to boot you one, it will, no matter where your stood (in my experiance) and I cant imagine it would make much difference if you had its tail in your hand held to one side.
I seen my fair share of aggressive horses/kickers and there is no way that method will would fill me with much confidence....but I'll bare in mind next time I come across one....you never know it could be right.
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ive been very nearly kicked when holding a horse's tail - i just managed to move. mine trys to kick me everytime i hold her tail!
 
Hmm, i've been kicked (relatively gently) while putting a tail bandage on.
I know of someone very very experienced who was kicked (fatally) while doing the same.
Having been kicked the other day while walking at the horse's shoulder, I now believe that they will kick you wherever you are, if they really want to.
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If you hold the tail you do at least feel the twitch that goes through it as they are about to move or kick, which gives you a second to react...
 
True. It is a method ofen adopted for restraining naughty foals for the farrier. Put you have to be rather firm and works better if you are agaisnt a stable wall
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I always hold the tail to the side when I am doing anything to the back of a horse. If they do try and kick, you can feel it.
 
I was always told to hold a horse's tail if un sure of it because they have to move the tail in order to lift a leg. So, whilst it won't stop a kick you should get some advance warning when you feel the tail become tense, I think this is where it comes from.
 
Depends how the tail is being held. If it is twisted to the side, it pinches a nerve thus making it impossible for a horse (or cow) to kick.
 
I would say false... if a confirmed kicker wants to get you, the only way to keep from being kicked is to keep 100yds between you and the horse!! I was taught to keep a handful of tail hairs taught (firm but not tight) in my hand whilst fiddling around the back end of a horse because they tend to flick their tails before they kick. So more as an early-warning system than a preventative! I know some pretty mareish mares who would kick me for just touching their tails!
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False.

A horse once kicked the brush right out of my hand and across they yard when I was doing his tail (holding it at the time).
 
Personally i think its false the only sure way of not getting too badly hurt getting kicked is stand as close to the horse as possible,if they is a couple of foot distance between you they can get a swing and get some impact behind it.
If your stood close you get more of a nasty nudge.

Have been kicked holding tails and not holding tails something has it in for you enough to want to kick it will try get you anyway IMO.
 
Very rare that a horse will kick you if you have a proper hold on the tail; I'm not talking touching, or putting on a tail bandage here
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. If you grasp the tail firmly, and keep taut against hind quarters, it makes it virtually impossible for the horse to be able to kick you...and even if by some stroke of luck it did manage to lash out, you will be standing by the barrel, closer to the shoulder than the back end, so you wouldn't get kicked anyway unless you were incredibly unfortunate and your horse was a master spinner!
 
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