fattylumpkin
Well-Known Member
My mare tends to kick other horses that come up close behind her, ridden or unridden. She's 100% fine with cats, dogs, bikes, cars and people coming close behind, but not horses. If I'm riding and someone gets too close I can feel her starting to get antsy so I either shift her out of the way or tell the other rider to give her some space. Her kick zone seems to be about 1m wide, which is quite small really, but woe betide any horse who steps into her personal space. She always gives a lot of warnings before the kick happens, but sometimes it's been unavoidable and she's double barrelled YO's horse once after he spooked which was embarassing. Generally on group hacks we've been fine because I usually stay at the back or ride with people who understand not to get too close, but there is one young girl who lets her pony trot up behind my mare until his nose is practically brushing her tail, so poor pony has been wellied a few times too. Rider is 13yo and has been told a thousand times not to do it, but it goes in one ear and out the other. I also don't feel like I can ride in group lessons at the riding club, even with a red ribbon. It'd be easiest if I could find some way to wean her out of the habit! Has anybody successfully cured this???