Kicking mare

[buffmcnamara]

Hello all. New here, but advice needed.
I have just had the worst hack ever. Just with one friend, we have been out quite a lot together over the past month. Her mare is nervous and she was struggling to get her forward a lot; so her hubby had been walking on foot with her following. She does sometimes get quite close behind us, but that doesn’t seem to bother my mare. They have ridden about 8 times together.

This morning we stopped for a chat and stood side by side for about 20 seconds.
Out of nowhere my horse went up and double kicked out sideways at her mare. I came off. BUT her foot Landed perfectly on my friends shin. It was awful, in the middle of nowhere with two horses (one loose). And she has broken her leg badly. I won’t go into the ins and outs of two hour trying to sort horses and ambulances…

but this is the worst feeling ever knowing your horse has done this. How much pain she is in and how many months she will be out of action.
I have never seen her nasty before, but this was so nasty. How do I get back on her? My daughter said she won’t ride her pony with me again. I know I am in shock as it has just happened. But what can I do about this behaviour?

 

[paddi22]

How upsetting for you, and you poor friend. horses are horses and unpredictable, and that accident was just one of those occasions. I have a mare who hates horses coming up behind her, she won't react at the time, but will pick a moment later and try and boot them. I always just keep her a safe distance from horses and your horse sounds the same. Keeping a safe distance in future should solve the problem, some mares just aren't good at their personal space being invaded!

 

[HashRouge]

How upsetting for you, and you poor friend. horses are horses and unpredictable, and that accident was just one of those occasions. I have a mare who hates horses coming up behind her, she won't react at the time, but will pick a moment later and try and boot them. I always just keep her a safe distance from horses and your horse sounds the same. Keeping a safe distance in future should solve the problem, some mares just aren't good at their personal space being invaded!

I have one like this too. She was like this from the moment I got her and, although she improved with time, she always had the potential to kick. We generally kept her at the back or, if riding at the front, made sure that whoever was behind me kept their distance. She is retired now and the only horse I 100% trust her not to kick is her beloved field mate, who she has been inseparable from for the last 8 years.

It was a horrible accident but it wasn't your fault, so try to keep that in mind and don't beat yourself up too much over it. You don't need to drastically change your behaviour with your mare - just make sure anyone you ride with knows that she might kick. Either keep at the back, or if riding in front make sure you trust the person behind you to keep a sensible distance. You should be perfectly safe to ride with your daughter unless she can't control her pony (I'm not sure how old your daughter is). Don't ride side by side with people and be very careful if you need to overtake/ be overtaken. My personal option is that you are unlikely to be able to completely trust your mare ever again, but that is okay. I managed a decade of riding my mare, from the age of 11, and spent a lot of time riding with my sister (4 years younger) and we managed fine. You just have to be careful with horses that are known to kick.

 

[buffmcnamara]

I have one like this too. She was like this from the moment I got her and, although she improved with time, she always had the potential to kick. We generally kept her at the back or, if riding at the front, made sure that whoever was behind me kept their distance. She is retired now and the only horse I 100% trust her not to kick is her beloved field mate, who she has been inseparable from for the last 8 years.

It was a horrible accident but it wasn't your fault, so try to keep that in mind and don't beat yourself up too much over it. You don't need to drastically change your behaviour with your mare - just make sure anyone you ride with knows that she might kick. Either keep at the back, or if riding in front make sure you trust the person behind you to keep a sensible distance. You should be perfectly safe to ride with your daughter unless she can't control her pony (I'm not sure how old your daughter is). Don't ride side by side with people and be very careful if you need to overtake/ be overtaken. My personal option is that you are unlikely to be able to completely trust your mare ever again, but that is okay. I managed a decade of riding my mare, from the age of 11, and spent a lot of time riding with my sister (4 years younger) and we managed fine. You just have to be careful with horses that are known to kick.

Thanks for this to both of you. I must admit I am definitely in shock from this incident. Been in bits all day. I ride with a lady who is approaching 60, she took the hit and it is a nasty break. In hospital as we speak having it pinned and grafted as it broke through her skin.
It such a shame this has happened. I have had this mare for just a year. We have well and truly bonded and not once had I ever seen an ounce of nastiness from her. The odd bit of napping etc to test me, but nothing like this. It’s just awful it was a human leg and not her horse that was hit as I think she would have fared much better. My goodness I wish it was my leg!
I had no idea that she would react like this and hence had never really thought about a kick when standing side by side. Probably rather naive. I think I need to take all advice, get back on and get my confidence in check. I will likely be riding alone for a while anyway. I will be sure to keep distant from other horses in this situation.
my daughter is 8, her pony is my mares companion, so I hope she would not feel like this with her. But I would definitely keep them distant when we do get back out together. She has reasonable control of her. But it does un-nerve me to think this could happen to her. (Terrified mother hoping my daughter doesn’t turn off ponies)!

 

[meleeka]

I’ve been kicked twice by the same horse out hacking. He’s a gelding too so can’t be excused for being a mare. I was incredibly lucky that I had no more than a bruise and I don’t hold the horse responsible for being a horse. The first time my horse went too close when going through a really muddy track. His nose touched the other horses rump and I got kicked in the knee. The second time my friend was leading the horse and came through the gate. As she turned him round to shut the gate I must have been too close for his comfort again and this time was kicked in the thigh. I did learn after that to give him a very wide berth and usually went in front just in case.

I don’t think you can label your horse as dangerous based on this one incident. Where the kick landed was bad luck and I really doubt she meant to kick the rider. Horses will be horses and kicking is perfectly normal and reasonable for some of them.

 

[HashRouge]

Thanks for this to both of you. I must admit I am definitely in shock from this incident. Been in bits all day. I ride with a lady who is approaching 60, she took the hit and it is a nasty break. In hospital as we speak having it pinned and grafted as it broke through her skin.
It such a shame this has happened. I have had this mare for just a year. We have well and truly bonded and not once had I ever seen an ounce of nastiness from her. The odd bit of napping etc to test me, but nothing like this. It’s just awful it was a human leg and not her horse that was hit as I think she would have fared much better. My goodness I wish it was my leg!
I had no idea that she would react like this and hence had never really thought about a kick when standing side by side. Probably rather naive. I think I need to take all advice, get back on and get my confidence in check. I will likely be riding alone for a while anyway. I will be sure to keep distant from other horses in this situation.
my daughter is 8, her pony is my mares companion, so I hope she would not feel like this with her. But I would definitely keep them distant when we do get back out together. She has reasonable control of her. But it does un-nerve me to think this could happen to her. (Terrified mother hoping my daughter doesn’t turn off ponies)!

I know you feel awful (I would too) but do keep telling yourself that it was an accident. These things can happen with horses unfortunately. Also, please try not to hold it against your horse. It might seem "nasty" to us but ultimately she is a horse and they don't really think like that. My little mare is an absolute darling, she just unfortunately doesn't like other horses in her personal space.

 

[buffmcnamara]

I know you feel awful (I would too) but do keep telling yourself that it was an accident. These things can happen with horses unfortunately. Also, please try not to hold it against your horse. It might seem "nasty" to us but ultimately she is a horse and they don't really think like that. My little mare is an absolute darling, she just unfortunately doesn't like other horses in her personal space.

You are right. I realise the more people try to calm me that she isn’t nasty. It’s just behaviour that took me off guard and I have been in quite a panic all day. I think perhaps she felt trapped between this horse and the hedge next to us. I think as well that she has been patient with the horse right up her bum a few times and perhaps it was finally just enough. Just so unlucky where it landed.

Thank you all for your comments. Straight talking and advice. I realise this sport is something that comes with an element of danger. They are animals after all. Just been a little confidence loss. But I will get back up there

 

[buffmcnamara]

I’ve been kicked twice by the same horse out hacking. He’s a gelding too so can’t be excused for being a mare. I was incredibly lucky that I had no more than a bruise and I don’t hold the horse responsible for being a horse. The first time my horse went too close when going through a really muddy track. His nose touched the other horses rump and I got kicked in the knee. The second time my friend was leading the horse and came through the gate. As she turned him round to shut the gate I must have been too close for his comfort again and this time was kicked in the thigh. I did learn after that to give him a very wide berth and usually went in front just in case.

I don’t think you can label your horse as dangerous based on this one incident. Where the kick landed was bad luck and I really doubt she meant to kick the rider. Horses will be horses and kicking is perfectly normal and reasonable for some of them.

You are right. And it’s nice to see it from the other riders perspective and that you can recognise why this has happened to you as well. Think my nerves are calmed. Stiff GnT will repair me I am sure

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

My Draft mare was very proud of her personal space, if I wanted toride alongside another horse we had to leave at least 6' between us. I watched her body language very carefully ad could feel her tense up when anyone crossed her personal boundary. Over the years we got her to be more tolerant of riding alongside her field companion and after being together for several years, they did do mutual grooming, it was the Draft mare who was reluctant.
If you are alert to the possibility, you shouldn't have any problem. I would expect that the pony would always be in front of you anyway, so that you can keep an eye on your daughter.

I hope your friend makes a good recovery. I am in my 60s, broke my leg badly, just over a year ago (there's a thread about it in AAD) and am pretty much back to normal now, even though I haven't yet been back on a horse but that's becasue of a combination of other factors,really.

 

[buffmcnamara]

My Draft mare was very proud of her personal space, if I wanted toride alongside another horse we had to leave at least 6' between us. I watched her body language very carefully ad could feel her tense up when anyone crossed her personal boundary. Over the years we got her to be more tolerant of riding alongside her field companion and after being together for several years, they did do mutual grooming, it was the Draft mare who was reluctant.
If you are alert to the possibility, you shouldn't have any problem. I would expect that the pony would always be in front of you anyway, so that you can keep an eye on your daughter.

I hope your friend makes a good recovery. I am in my 60s, broke my leg badly, just over a year ago (there's a thread about it in AAD) and am pretty much back to normal now, even though I haven't yet been back on a horse but that's becasue of a combination of other factors,really.

Did you break it riding as well? Do you feel you will get back on? I would be so sad if this has ruined her confidence completely. I will look for the thread

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Did you break it riding as well? Do you feel you will get back on? I would be so sad if this has ruined her confidence completely. I will look for the thread

No, I was walking the dogs.
Some health issues were discovered while I was in hospital, which have meant that I have had to think very carefully about whether to ride again. GP has said I can, solong as I don't jumpbut, of course, the finaldecision is mine and Iamstill weighing everything up. Also I am very unfit and need to organise some lessons on a mechanical horse before I get ona live one. I have tentatively arranged to ride one of the RDA horses in Spring before getting on my own young cob. If I still had the old girl, I wouldn't hesitate but alas!,I haven't