Should kickers go at the back?

[Starbucks]

Just a thought – a lot of you are saying kickers should go at the back, but unless you are the very last person at all times which must be quite difficult to achieve, why should people who ride at the back of the field be subject to all the kickers and those who ride at the front not have to deal with any?

 

[wench]

Henry had odd time when he would kick - problem was he was a whips horse and wanted to be up at the front doing his "job". When he was at the front going flat out no kicking what so ever.

Last time I went out hunting with him, I put him at the back with his red ribbon. There was one point where there was a choice of going over a hunt jump or through a large gap in the hedge. Unfortuantly I was slap bang next to the gap, so half the field decended upon me and Henry, not giving me any chance to either move away from the gap, or go through it first and get him out the way. Suprise, suprise someone got kicked. Not my fault.

 

[AmyMay]

Just a thought – a lot of you are saying kickers should go at the back, but unless you are the very last person at all times which must be quite difficult to achieve, why should people who ride at the back of the field be subject to all the kickers and those who ride at the front not have to deal with any?

Because that is actually the rule of the hunting field. Horses that can't behave should be at the back - or sent home.

 

[Starbucks]

Because that is actually the rule of the hunting field. Horses that can't behave should be at the back - or sent home.

Doesn’t really make sense though does it! If a horse is not safe to be out then it shouldn’t be out in the first place, if it is out, then I don’t really see why it is safer for it to go at the back… at the back where you are more likely to have kids and newcomers…

 

[SpruceRI]

I ride a kicker and try to start off at the back... but invariably the whole ride turns round and comes back and suddenly I'm at the front. Plus there's the jumpers and non jumpers. People splitting off all over the place. Trying to stay at the back is impossible. But I make every effort to ensure when we come to a halt that our arse is back in the bushes and everyone is aware not to let their horse rub its chin on mines' bum or anything.

I've hunted quite a bit in the past and have never kicked anyone apart from one guy who ran in the back of us. Apologised profusely for using us to stop, and said his horse deserved it.

I was mortified even so, though his horse wasn't hurt.

 

[Paddydou]

I am very lucky to have my old boy who has been used as a solid stopping point on several occasions but I have to say if someone had a kicker and didn't keep its back end away from us (at the front of the field or the back I don't care) I would be really really peeved...

If I am asked I am happy to be run into after being asked or used as Grandad for the day and baby sit but I do not want to have my boy put at risk through bad manners.

Also if you boot a hound I don't think anyone in the field would forgive you!

Kickers at home please!

 

[livetoride]

I am sure I was always taught that a confirmed kicker should not be taken hunting, it is just too dangerous. And a red ribbon for anything that even might kick occasionally. Plus a seriously smacked bottom for anything that does dare to kick.

Exactly.

One of my peeves is people who do not discipline kickers. Even worse, I've seen people pat their horses when they kick out and not even apologise. In our hunt we've had to make it clear to a couple of riders this season that if they're not prepared to take responsibility and sort their horses out then they're not welcome.

 

[bounce]

Interesting thread. Personally I think there are several types of kickers and I don't think you can tar all with the same brush.

There are horses that back in to you on purpose and are aggressive kickers - these should definitely be at the back with as much red tape/ribbon as possible and whenever stood should have the bum faced into a hedge or away from anyone else.

There are also horses that become a little anxious when completely surrounded and have no space, or someone runs right into them. These tend to kick only when they really feel threatened.

My pony has sent a warning shot to someone who was letting their horse use his bum as a chin rest at gallop! He's not a kicker, but I keep him away from the madding crowd as much as possible to avoid any incident. You don't have to be at the back to do this but when hacking down tracks or lanes it is easier to be at the back.

Personally I always try to keep a good distance from any horse as I prefer my horse to come home in one piece. I know it is difficult in the middle of the action to always keep a safe distance but why do people feel the need to just let their horse run into the rest. Why not pull up earlier! If you can only stop by running into someone else then you shouldn't be out until you have better control.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Some of you who are saying 'KEEP AT THE BACK' should try and keep my mare at the back.

Unless youve got unltd strength and endurance your not going to keep her at the back. I had short reins and my hand glued to my breastplate over starap at her withers and she still took off like a scalded cat and went up front so tell me what would you do with that???

I now take the outside edge of a ride it I only have horses on one side of me off to one side as ONE I got get sore arms being dragged up front and TWO my mare doesnt have a sore jaw at the end of the day from me hauling on it.

Its the same with group hacks as well.

Nikki

 

[RunToEarth]

Some of you who are saying 'KEEP AT THE BACK' should try and keep my mare at the back.

Unless youve got unltd strength and endurance your not going to keep her at the back. I had short reins and my hand glued to my breastplate over starap at her withers and she still took off like a scalded cat and went up front so tell me what would you do with that???

Nikki

Well, if you can't put your horse where you want in the field, and it kicks, then I would tell you to not come out hunting.
Put yourself in someone else's position. You are a regular hunter, your horse is well mannered and a good hunter. Your hunting days are continually ruined by someone who cannot hold thier kicker at the back, so puts it in the middle of the field, and expects others to avoid it (and whether you keep it out to the side or not, there are situations where that is not enough).
I don't enjoy spending days avoiding kickers in the middle of the field, it isn't good manners.

 

[AmyMay]

Some of you who are saying 'KEEP AT THE BACK' should try and keep my mare at the back.

Unless youve got unltd strength and endurance your not going to keep her at the back. I had short reins and my hand glued to my breastplate over starap at her withers and she still took off like a scalded cat and went up front so tell me what would you do with that???

I now take the outside edge of a ride it I only have horses on one side of me off to one side as ONE I got get sore arms being dragged up front and TWO my mare doesnt have a sore jaw at the end of the day from me hauling on it.

Its the same with group hacks as well.

Nikki

If you have no control and the horse is a kicker to boot (no pun intended) then you shouldn't hunt it.

Simples

 

[AmyMay]

There are also horses that become a little anxious when completely surrounded and have no space, or someone runs right into them. These tend to kick only when they really feel threatened.

Bounce, I completely agree with you.

My little Amy May was really great fun to hunt - but after developing a tendancy to kick out due to the above reasons I stopped hunting her. Shame, because she loved it. But it was just too much of a risk.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

If you have no control and the horse is a kicker to boot (no pun intended) then you shouldn't hunt it.

Simples

Who said anything about lack of control??? She is perfectly happy to be out to the side in the first third of the pack, once we are there she will start and stop and wait etc. She just doesnt like being at the back, and to be honest neither do I , seen to many accidents with the back horses going over anyone who trip/stumbles/falls at the front . Other people have stated this in their post and havent been told they cant take their horses out.

I never ever said shes a confrimed kicker either But every horse has the potential for it, She pulls faces and minces but hasnt ever struck out but being a mare and temperamental I wouldnt put it past her in season even though SHE HAS NEVER.

Oh and I am not just talking about hunts as I havent been to a hunt in years but there are common ridings that are along the same vein although no dog or fences