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Horse Behavior and Training

horse kick my little sister

Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed

I have a now 6 year old mare I have had her for alomst a year now.. when I got are a year ago from the lady she had 13 horses on her place and my mare was the last to eat got bit and kick all the time was just a mess. she alway had to fight for her food.. here at home she think she still has to fight for her food... I alot have a 22year old guy really sweet she try to eat his food bit at him and kick him when it come to feeding time.. so ever scent I got her i lock them in there stall for feeding time thinking that she would get the hit this is her stall no one else want her food it all her no one going to fight you for it.. well she still trys to kick him throw the wall and stick her head over to bit him.. she has never tryed to bit or kick me.. so tonight i ask my 11 year old sister to go let them out they should be done with dinner.. so she did and she let the mare out first(RIN) and when to let ben out and rin try to bit ben and turn around to kink him but she did not get him she got my sister.. this is the first time she has ever kick some one...what should I do with her and how can i get her to stop kicking at ben or anything... thank you Brittany

Kicki -- Sweden
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

First off, I am really sorry to hear your sister got kicked. I hope she isn't seriously hurt.
Secondly, it's very hard (I didn't say "impossible"!) to stop mares from kicking - it's a built-in defense in them.
Police horses are taught not to kick out because in a crowd that would spell disaster, but I think they do a lot of that training while mounted and they are extremely well trained to begin with. (Also, don't think they use much mares, but I could be wrong there!)
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Furthermore, your mare wasn't really kicking your sister - even if she got in the way - but was out to teach the other horse a lesson, and that is part of what horses do because they are horses.
Others here may know better, but I am hesitant to say that you can train your horse not to kick in a situation like that - but you can do your best to avoid those situations until she has accepted the other horse better, or been taught to refrain from kicking.
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Obviously, she has been bullied before she came to you, and now she is doing everything in her power to keep that from happening again.
Who gets to eat when, is a big hierarchy issue for horses - a clear way of showing who's the boss and who's not.
If she doesn't act up towards humans when being fed, you have a big advantage right there as her need to defend her food isn't directed at you.
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I don't have a good solution to the entire problem - and either way, I think it will take lots of time whatever you choose to do - but may I suggest a few things that might keep you safe in the meantime and minimize the problem?
From what I can tell from your story, Rin is very unhappy with the other horse being close to her food.
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Is there a way you can feed her on her own, or in a space that's removed from Ben? What's the smallest amount of space between them that she is willing to put up with?
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If no other space is possible, can you hang some sort of blanket or box curtain between them, so she can't see him? (Make sure it is well secured! Flapping or falling down can cause other panics!)
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Horses have a distinct pecking order. Make sure you always feed Rin first, so she doesn't have to be agitated over that as well.
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When you let them back out - and I would advice not doing this alone - can you take Ben first and lead him some way into the field so he isn't right by the gate? Or, if you feel Rin is easier to handle going out first; can you perhaps keep her away from the gate until Ben is out and the gate is closed? If you are two, the other person can take the first horse alongside the fence to a safe distance and hold it until the other horse is inside - then release both simultaneously, preferably facing the fence, so they don't just shoot away and knocks someone down.
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If you feed them outside, make sure you make at least three piles of hay, with ample distance between them, so your older guy always have one to eat from. I doubt she will try to defend more than two heaps.
Grain is harder to feed outside, unless you have two buckets and someone who helps to hold the horses until they are both finished.
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Sorry this was long and not a direct answer to your question, but I still hope it is of some help. Good luck, and, above all; stay safe!

bbarner4628
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed

Thank u I think that well help a lot I'm going to try that and see how it all goes. I know it going to be hard and take time and something I'm going to have to stay on top of.. thank u for your help. And my sister is fine... thanks for asking. ..