Is it possible to stand behind a horse without getting kicked?

Question

Will a horse ever not kick someone who stands behind it?

Answer 1

Oh my, everyone thinks this. Well, it depends on a horse. If they have a tendancy to kick, I would be cautious but if you jsut let them know your there they shouldn't bother you.



There is always a risk, horses can be very un-predictable. My mare used to like to kick, but she won't kick me...although she can, she doesn't. She may raise a leg to someone else but not me.



You need to form trust and confidence in the animal, and just let them know your there. It is very possible to stand behind a hrose and not get kicked, it's not like it's a reflex or something, and basically, just be careful, but they should give warning like raising the leg.



Not all horses kick what's behind them, I think people sort of need to get over that, you jsut need ot be cautious.

Answer 2

I thinkto stand behind a horse without getting kicked

Answer 3

Yeah, lots of horses will quite happily let you stand behind them without getting kicked - so long as they're used to being handled and don't feel threatened by you, most will not at all try to kick out.

People only warn this, because you can never tell how well a horse has been handled if you don't know them, and being kicked hurts. Once you get to know a horse, and trust them - then yes it's possible to stand behind them without getting kicked.

I would completely trust my loan to stand behind him, he wouldn't dream of kicking anyone.

Answer 4

My Horse Doesnt kick Me When I Stand behind Her. Its just Some horses have bad habits . Its Not Recommended to Stand behind a horse . It Hurts when You Get kicked .x

Answer 5

Yes it is possible to go behind a horse with out being kicked as long as the horse knows your there. The farther away from a horse will hurt more if your kicked, standing right behind (at the butt) and being kicked won't hurt so much because your being hit with the leg not the hoof

Answer 6

to stand behind a horse without getting kicked may not be possible

Answer 7

Most well behaved horses dont kick, It actually better to be close next to a horse when working with it as in grooming and to always keep a hand on your horse when walking behind as then they know your there, the closer you are the less hard they can kick as they cannot get up any velocity to kick you real hard, the farther away you are the more it hurts. What you should never do is walk up and slap a horse on the butt as this can scare them into a reactionary kick.

Answer 8

to stand behind a horse without getting kicked not that easy but maybe it could be a possibility?

Answer 9

Yes it is. But because it's a horses blind spot they can't see you standing there. However, this "6th sense" that horses have / their hearing will tell them that something is there and they may freak out and kick. I walk behind my horse the whole time but I always show myself to him first and click when I'm walking behind him so that he knows where I am. He's never kicked before. however, horses are unpredictable sometimes and so it's not advised. Hope this helps!

Answer 10

Many people will scoff it off as difficult but I believe it could not be imaginable to stand behind a horse without getting kicked

Answer 11

Oh yes...A well-behaved horse rarely kicks out, but it's not worth the risk. I've been kicked once, in 18 years of riding, and it HURT like heck! My thigh bone was bruised, and I had bruising on my skin for 2 months! It looked terrible. I was helping with therapeutic riding, and the horse kicked out and got me while I was picking up items for a game. Needless to say, this horse, Tiger, did not stay in the program (it later charged the owner's son). So, anyway, I am wary of even the best behaved horses because once was enough. However, most of the time most horses will not kick you.



An important note: if you MUST walk behind a horse within "kicking-range," put your hand on him/her first and talk to the horse to let it know that you are there, so that it isn't startled. It will be less likely to kick you. Also, walk as close to the horse as possible. This will limit your chance of severe injury as the horse won't be able to kick you high (i.e.--your head), and the horse will not be able to get the force and speed of a hard kick with you close to it, as it won't be able to fully-extend its leg.



Again, though it's best to stay away as often as possible, and new and inexperienced riders are always told to never walk behind a horse, as they don't know which horses to watch out for, etc.



Also, in many shows, you may see horses with a red ribbon in the tail. that is a sign that this horse kicks...sign that it kicks other horses, in general, and to stay away. I just don't trust kickers in general--horse kicker could be a people kicker too....

Answer 12

Well I had a guy holding the horse so it wouldn't bolt. So it won't kick? I imagine it only will if either of two things; 1 you annoy it, then run, or 2. it's a high spirited horse. Otherwise I think you've just been going through some bad luck, horses are plentiful in Ohio, I've had quite a few experiences with them. They won't kick just for the fun of it. Sometimes it's stretching it's leg or relieving a cramp.

Answer 13

Yes. The real reason a horse kicks when someone is behind is either because they are a) agitating the horse or b) the horse was startled by them being there. And even getting kicked by an agitated horse is human error because horses will give warnings before they act like that such as pinning the ears and swishing the tail.

Answer 14

Any horse might kick someone IF the horse is:



startled

naturally fearful

dominant



So, the best thing to do, is to call out to the horse as you approach the hind end, call out in a loud voice but not sudden, call out as if you're talking out loud to someone, but don't simply yell.



Then make movement with your hands to shoo the horse forward as you call out to him, to tell him that you are not submissive and that you move his feet, he doesn't move yours (why some horses kick out) and that you mean no harm, but that you want him to acknowledge that you are there.



If the horse knows you're there, that you're approaching, and he knows you're not fearful or otherwise sneaky, you shouldn't get kicked.



If you are standing directly behind the horse, without approaching, it's best to approach the horse from its shoulder first, then keep your hand on its body, run your hand down the back and around the rump and scratch him on the butt, keeping that hand on the horse at all times, if you need to stay standing behind him. Stand off to one side a little, so that the horse can see you. Horses can't see directly behind them. Which is why some horses kick out....of fear.

Answer 15

I didn't think that it could well be feasible to stand behind a horse without getting kicked

Answer 16

LOL... yes. The majority of the time you stand behind a horse, you do not get kicked. People are told not to stand behind horses because of the POSSIBILITY of getting kicked. It's a risk not worth taking. But in all reality you don't normally get kicked. It's just that if you do get kicked, it's painful as hell and can break bones/be fatal.

Answer 17

You could always assume a horse will kick unless you know him real well. If you must go behind a horse you should always speak to him and run your hand over him as you go to his rear. Never go out 3 feet or 4or 5 feet away, if he kicks with you that distance you will really get hit hard. If you are close to him and he does kick, you won't get hurt as badly.

Answer 18

Ummmm, yes of course it is. Vets have to do this all the time, as do we, sometimes. Not all horses are inclined to kick. You just need to take some precautions if you don't know the horse well, and even if you do, since any horse who has 4 legs can and will kick in certain circumstances. They usually kick if they're startled or are just the grumpy sort who are inclined to kick.

Answer 19

Yes. Some horses do not kick when you stand behind them, but because there is always a risk it is not advised.

Answer 20

Yes. I stand behind my horse all the time to groom his tail and put on his blanket. He likes me though. He kicked my farrier though- he HATES him. Lesson horses typically won't kick either.

Answer 21

Odds are, you won't get kicked. You just don't want to stand behind them because they *could* kick you. That doesn't mean they will. I wouldn't take the chance though.

Answer 22

Yes of course! Most horses won't kick if they know it is you behind them. Where on earth did you hear such nonsense that they always kick you?! I stand behind my horse to treat the melanoma on his rump every day. :-)

Answer 23

Yes our barn is set up with 5 tie stalls and a box stall at the very end. The tie stalls are set up so you have to walk behind the horses. the only people who have gotten kicked at our barn are the ones who dont let the horses know they are there.

Answer 24

once you have gained a horses trust, there not likely to kick you

but because there is always a chance of them kicking you,its best to avoid it

also, even a friendly horse can kick out from fear or suprise because they cant see directly behind them. they may not know whats behind them,, and kick out from instinct



one time, my mare that wudnt have kicked me, kicked out after squealing to another horse - and i got to taste metal! (Y) all my fault, but makes me think twice before i go behind her whilst other horses are presant

Answer 25

Of course. Just like you CAN cross the street and not get killed- However, it's best to treat it like the horse will always kick, simply because if he did, there are not any spare lives- or limbs. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 26

yes you can stand behind a horse but you half to let them know you are there

Answer 27

Yeh its possible. You have to know the horse though. If its know for kicking and has a bad temperment its probably not such a good idea

Answer 28

Yes.



I ride, and whenever I brush a paticuralr horse in his stall, i have to go behind him.



It's just not a good *idea* to go behind one, because if you don't know the animal, you don't know if it'll spook easily

Answer 29

All my 5 horses i can stand behind them plaiting their tails for shows for ages they dont butt an eyelid :)x

Answer 30

I can stand behind my horse and she doesn't care at all. :)

Answer 31

Why don't you try it and get back to us on that one?