How can I stop my pony from kicking the door?

[Breeze05]

Whenever my pony sees someone on the yard she’ll kick the door. She doesn’t do it for food cause she always has hay left in the morning so it is just for attention. I’ve tried spraying her with water and it doesn’t work. She lives out all summer but has to be stables in the nights during winter as our field just won’t last otherwise. She has other horses on the yard but I don’t know what else to do.

 

[PSD]

Carpet on the back of the door can help, or if possible putting up a barge pole type of thing and leave her door open. Nothing worse than a door kicker it drives me insane!

 

[Illtellyoulater]

My mare knows she isn’t allowed to do this, but will still push her luck until told off (a grrr and a shout and she will stop). She does it for food though, so always fed first. She is now in an internal stable with a breast bar which has helped. Occasionally she will give the partition a kick if she thinks I am being slow. Rude and naughty but she is a gem in every other way.

 

[MereChristmas]

My latest purchase door kicks for attention. Responding in any way is a win for him.
There was a previous thread here on HHO about door kicking where this was suggested.
It has worked so far for me.
It is less time consuming than squirting water and cheaper than the door fitting spray thing.
Put some trugs almost full of water inside the door.
Firstly it keeps the pony away from the door and secondly they get wet when they kick.
Hope it works for you too.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

My mare was stabled in a barn with door kickers and started the habit..I’ve just realised that in the past 2 months at new yard she hasn’t kicked the door once.

 

[Charrose77]

My friend just bought one of these. Expensive but absolutely did the trick. He was a dreadful kicker and stopped immediately. As I say though, it’s pricey. She got one second hand locally.
http://www.quitkick.com/

 

[tallyho!]

Good kit!

I remember a friend of a friend at a yard where there was a door kicker and the owner got so fed up she had the bottom portion of the door sawn off in a rage. Sorted the problem instantly but was a bit draughty for the horse so she nailed on a rubber "skirt" which the horse did kick but didn't make such a big noise.

I found the story hilarious but actually, a chain across wasn't an option when it was baltic and raining as the bed got wet and the horse would be frozen.

 

[teach]

Water buckets in front of the door

 

[rabatsa]

I have one that kicks doors, he also kicks the gate when he wants letting in. If the door is open and a chain across he will kick the stanchion.

 

[tallyho!]

Water buckets in front of the door

I'd be a bit worried about them betting hooves in and kicking over and breaking - I suppose those soft trugs the handles cut off could work.

 

[MereChristmas]

I'd be a bit worried about them betting hooves in and kicking over and breaking - I suppose those soft trugs the handles cut off could work.

I have 2 soft trugs both half full of water. Pony kicked the first time, got wet and only kicks when I forget to pull the trugs into place.