Youngster started kicking other horses...

BillyBob-Sleigh

BillyBob-Sleigh

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My 5yo has always been at the top of the pecking order in his herd but this has been displayed out in the field when reminding others of his authority! He is usually fine out on hacks or in the barn etc. However, I went out for a hack last week and for the first time ever he kicked out at the other horses, not once but 3 times in total with 2 different horses. He has also started to clock other horses if they come behind him when he's tied outside his stable.

Just to add that he is fine with people it's just an issue with other horses. I know it's all to do with herd dynamics but this is very recent that he has been kicking out regardless of the location/scenario.

Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts?
 
When ridden, I would not tolerate it at all. I'd just make it fairly clear that it was not acceptable behaviour, at the time.
 
My mare did this years ago when she was 5. I remember being cross when my instructor told me to whack her for it especially when the other horse had got quite close to her. She was the boss and she had to learn under no certain terms was she aloud to kick out under the saddle. After being whacked a few times she never did it again.

The moral of the story is handle it correctly and they should grow out of it.
 
All the advice so far is good advice. My horse kicks out hunting, sometimes, usually when he gets hot, clipping him out totally has helped that.
I have had horses who are of a nervous dispostion kick out defensively - but that does not sound like yours.....so he does need to be told that his behaviour is unaccepatable. Perhaps you can find an alpha male to turn him out with that will put him in his place? My 'bully' got well put in his place last winter by a new horse I had a for a few months....but he soon reverted to type when the horse moved on, sigh!
 
Needs to be nipped in the bud, especially when tied up outside a stable. Could you get a dressage whip and start de-sentising abound his back legs?also if the behaviour has just started all of a sudden when is last time his feet were done? Could he possibly be in pain?
 
Thanks everyone.

The problem is, he is now best friends with the top gelding in the field, they had an almighty showdown when first introduced (horrific to watch) but after a few nasty minutes settled down and have since become really good friends so there isn't anyone at the yard to put him in his place really.

In regards to de-sensitizing him, would you wait until another horse goes behind and then use the schooling whip to tap him if he starts going to kick them? If there is no horse there he really is as good as gold and will let me do anything - he knows better than to try it on with me!

Showpony - he is being shod this Friday but I don't think it's pain as he was done last 5weeks ago. Going on his personality I would say this is down to time being a stroppy teenager but I certainly need to nip it in the bud before someone gets hurt.
 
I wouldn't bother tapping him, if he humps his back or goes to kick he should get an almighty crack across the backside. It only needs to be once and then you move on.
 
Does he wear back shoes? If so could he possibly do without then in order to reduce injury. There's a horse on our yard who attacks other horses but only those that allow themselves to be attacked. His feild mate doesn't put up with it, neither does a youngster on the yard but the other horses get it whenever they are near-usually hacks. His owner hits him when he does attack but he simply doesn't care. He's always been this way, we've just had to put him at the back of the ride with his feild mate in front.
 
Agree with Clodagh. Friend had youngster who started turning bum on other horse when tied outside stable, then starting lifting a hind leg before moving on to full on double barrelling other horse, fortunately didn't connect. Nip this behaviour in the bud with a well timed crack on his bum, either ridden or tied outside the stable. If you don't he will just get worse as he is just trying to assert his authority outside the field which is not acceptable and he needs to learn this before someone or their horse gets hurt.
 
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