How do I get my horse to not kick when I put the saddle on?

Question

When I am about to ride him and I touch his barrel where I put the girth he attempts to kick me or he pins his ear back. How do I get him to stop doing this? He does it also when I am about to get on him. Once I am on him he doesn't mind me touching the girth. What do i do?!?

Answer 1

You need to get a saddle that fits..

Thats classic saddle fitting issues causing a sore back.

Answer 2

Its more than likely a dominance issue. I mean OK, the horse might be sore, but why is he kicking YOU?

Are you doing groundwork before putting the saddle on? Always do groundwork before putting the saddle on. If you email me, I will send you a set of exercises that should be done before saddling.

Second, how do you respond to a kick? Do you get scared and walk away and then go back to what you are doing? Or do you let the horse know you will be not pushed around. A horse that attempts to kick you is a horse with serious issues that you have to deal with. Its not something you can let slide or be afraid of. One thing you can do is take the lead rope and FIRMLY make the horse back up every time he kicks you or acts like he is going to kick you. Anything you can do to make him understand you are not going to take c**p from him will be helpful.

David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...

Answer 3

Megan B is on the right track. You need to rule out soreness first. If your horse is not sore, and this is a learned behavior, carry a crop. When he pins his ears or kicks, discipline him firmly with the crop and your voice. Repeat as often as necessary until you extinguish this negative behavior. It may take a day, a week, or a few months. Be consistent and persistent.

Answer 4

If I were you, I would have him checked by a vet.  It could be a certain spot you touch that is hurting him.  We had that with my horse and he had a sore there.  Also check that the girth fits him correctly and in the right spot so it isn't rubbing.  He's telling you that something is bothering him.  Listen to him.

Answer 5

well, after you call the vet, if he is ok, just have someone feeding him apples, or carrots, so he will be focused on that. he might also associate  the saddle with treats and look forward to it!

Answer 6

make sure theres nothing accidently perminitly stuck underneath the saddle pad or what ever you use under the saddle

Answer 7

He could be sore. Sorry it's late and I don't feel like typing. Contact a vet.

Answer 8

Does he do it when you cinch him up or just when you touch that area?

Answer 9

sounds like his saddle doesn't fit properly, he is sore, or he may have had bad experiences (either from a person or a poor fitting saddle before)

get someone knowledgeable to check his saddle fit, and check his back/sides/belly for any sores.

get a vet to check him as well because it could be another issue....

if it's from bad experience you need to re-train him to associate it with a good thing.  have someone put on his saddle, then give him a treat.. tighten the girth a bit and if he's OK with it give him a treat, ect.

also it may help if everytime you ride tigthen his girth a little bit, then tighten again after putting on his bridle and then tighten one last time before mounting.... he may dislike if you tighten a lot all at once!