Horse people-----i need help

Kicking is a bad and dangerous habit. Get a crop and when he kicks pop him good once or twice. In the herd, if a horse were to kick another horse higher on the "rank" they would get plowed back. "getting kicked, bit, ect". You have to re-make the actions a horse would do. You should be higher on the "chain" then him. But if he is trying to kick, he is showing you that you are not. See what I mean?
We had a pony that kicked. Alittle bit of this and he did well. Mini's are fun...they can be stubborn though.[]
 
Hope this helps.[][][]

So there's hope? [&:] I'm really dissapointed in myself. i don't know why I can't shake the fear. I never expected to feel afraid. I went out again and talked and talked and pulled him to me, nice and slow. I rubbed his head, and he didn't pull from me. I let him go and he walked away. What I'm most afraid of is when i release him if he turns on me and tries to kick. He hasn't done it yet, but thats what I'm afraid of. I'm fine pulling him in and holding tight, it's the release and walk away on my part.
 
the owners wife said he would come right to her and follow her around, but when I go he walks away or looks away. i have to pull him to make him come to me. 

So there's hope? I'm really dissapointed in myself. i don't know why I can't shake the fear.

 
Of course! You have every right to be scared. Horses (even mini's) are very powerful animals. BUT, I firmly (very firmly) suggest, that when you are out with the mini, erase ALL fear. Just like dogs, horses pick up the slightest sense of fear. And until you erase that, he will continue to act up because he KNOWS you are scared of him. If he so much as lifts his leg to you, even if you don't have a crop, take that leadrope and give him a good whap. It's flat-out rebellion. He'll figure it out. And don't do anything sissy....they are strong and need a good pop..not a tap. That will do no good.[]

Angel, you said that you are afraid when you release him? Is this when you tie him out, or are you putting him into a stall? Regardless, when you release him, if you're tying him out, tie him at the end of the rope - like stretch it all the way out and then clip him - that way he can't spin and kick (or at least easily) because he's already at the end of the rope he can only go into the middle, not out at you. Same applies for a stall - take him in, turn to face the door, then release. That way, you can get out and close the door. Unless he's lightning pony, he won't be able to get you.
 
Oh, and Billy, when I worked for a vet as a tech I was bitten by a particularly nasty feline, right on the inside of my wrist. I thought nothing of it, scrubbed it with Betadine and wrapped it. Several days later I ended up going to the hospital - it wasn't infected, but the canine teeth hit a nerve, partially severing it and causing some permanent damage. I've been riding and training off the track TBs for nearly 15 years, and (knock on wood) have yet to go to the hospital with them. But, then again, I bounce well.

Angel, get yourself one of these:
 
[linkhttp://www.horse.com/products/sku-WQK31__id-216__scode-hbizrate.html]http://www.horse.com/products/sku-WQK31__id-216__scode-hbizrate.html[/link]

Angel, get yourself one of these:

http://www.horse.com/products/sku-WQK31__id-216__scode-hbizrate.html

 
I, actually, would not get that particular one. It is too short. IMO. I would get a dressage whip. They are much longer, so if you pop him and he kicks out (and if he does that pop him again, and if he kicks again..you get the picture lol) you will be further away. Something like this might be better....
[linkhttp://www.statelinetack.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441812627&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302050472&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302050346&bmUID=1178558179679&itemNo=15&In=Tack&N=2050472&Ne=156695]http://www.statelinetack.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441812627&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302050472&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302050346&bmUID=1178558179679&itemNo=15&In=Tack&N=2050472&Ne=156695[/link]
 
Used Stateline because didn't see any dressage whips at CS.[]

Great advice everyone. If you can think of anything more please add it. I have to go into work soon, so I'm going to the farm supply store to look for what Billy just posted. (thanks Billy)
Thanks again. I'll check back in tomorrow.

If it makes you feel better, instead of a whip, carry one of those big plastic whiffle bats. My husband's aunt used one when she got a new mini stud that acted like yours, and my sister uses them for working hogs. It is nearly impossible to hurt or injure an animal with one of these things. Just the size of it and the "bonking" noise it makes ar eusually enough to be a deterrent.

Your friend is probably right about him just being used to getting his way. But luckily, kicking is a less aggressive way for him to do it. Kicking is more defensive in nature. Biters are what scare me! When a horse bites it is a far more aggreessive behavior than kicking.

I don#%92t have any advice Angel as my “horse experience” and training adds up to a grand total of 5 months experience with them when I was a kid, but I wish you good luck and really think that you need to find a happy balance between being aware, cautious and respectful, while not letting yourself be overcome with fear for your or your children#%92s safety. Easier said than done I am sure… Otherwise this ISN#%92T gonna work and will be a source of frustration not only for you but within your marriage since DH really wants this horse.
 
What is the horses name anyway? Miniature horses usually kinda freak me out the hell out. I don#%92t know what it is about their diminutiveness that is a little weird to me and makes me have that reaction, but he is kinda a cute little bugger isn#%92t he?  []     
 
Good luck!  

Angel if possible can you have the trainer/friend teach you and family members how to
#1- back the horse with and without a lead.
#2 - yield the hindquarters with and without a lead.

These 2 exercises would go a long way in helping you/family handle the horse safely. And help gain some respect from the horse. Him turning his butt to you is disrespect.
Do you have access to RFD-TV?

Angel - is this horse actually kicking, or just threatening to kick? (Not that you should be any less careful of course, but if a horse/pony/whatever learns that it can get its way by putting on a big show of being vicious, it might do a lot of posturing even if it doesn't actually intend to follow through. I've met zillions and zillions of horses/ponies that would put their ears back, make bitey motions, and even lift their legs as if they were going to kick me, and only one horse that ever did bite/kick intentionally.)

Another thing, though you probably know this - don't ever stand at hoof-distance from the horse's butt. Even though it's a mini, it can pack a powerful wallop. If you're walking behind him, either go far out of reach or right up by his butt so he can't "wind up" and get force behind the kick.

You are totally within your rights to be scared. I know you must feel pretty embarrassed about it, but it's reasonable and your fear is not uncommon. I once watched a friend of mine who's 6'3" and incredibly stocky get chased around an arena by a mini horse. My friend finally jumped the fence to get away. Even experienced horse people can "lose their nerve" after an incident, or around a particular horse.

If you are going to interact with this little fellow, though, you have to project TOTAL confidence. If he detects any signs of weakness in you, he WILL exploit them! The minute you walk up to him, you are Queen of the WORLD. He is but a measley pony, and his attempts at intimidation are laughable. Carry something to whack him with if you feel uncomfortable. Something that makes a big dramatic gesture and a loud noise is best. Your goal is obviously not to hurt the little bugger, just to make him realize he can't push you around.

I would get a medium-length crop to carry with me for close-up work (grooming, etc.) and a dressage whip for more distance work. The wiffle bat sounds like it would work well, too. If you've smacked him once or twice, often all it takes is the fact that you're holding something to make him listen up a bit.

It sounds like it would help a lot of you had the trainer work with you, too. As with dogs, sometimes it's more about training the people than the animals. Don't be afraid to talk about your fears.

His name is Brownie, and he is a cute bugger. But he's a bugger. Supply store  sells more of a whip. I wasn't sure so I called trainer friend and he said to wait for him.
 
I went out and was talking to him and holding him, yet again and he turned and tried to kick me. I walked away slowly, but I was pissed. I came in and called old owner and yelled at him: "You lied when you said this was a calm horse, he's been trying to kick me and almost kicked my daughter. " He says "yeah, well he always did do that." I yelled that I asked him and he said he was good. He was even good when trainer checked him over. So I said, "do you want your horse back?" He said "no not really" He says to give it some more time and if it don't work he'll come and visit him.
 
I was really mad at the time. I've calmed down. I don't work tomorrow, so I'm going to try again. I'm going to call my friend and ask him to come by as well. If I can't get myself to controll him he has to go.

ORIGINAL: angeltrudelle
 he's been trying to kick me and almost kicked my daughter. " He says "yeah, well he always did do that."

 
This doesn't bode well, Angel.  The horse has "always" done this AND you are afraid of him.  I think you need to beat the horse.  When you go out to him, take something with you to beat him with.  A broom handle, a shovel handle, whatever you have.  When he turns his butt toward you, whack him a good one, then whack him another one.  Horses can survive a kick from another horse.  You aren't going to hurt the horse.

This just seems all wrong.  Why can't you afford Brownie some space and time to adjust?  I know nothing about horses, but with my new dogs they have about a month to find their place and comfort zone in my home.

A lot of mini's have "small man" syndrome! You have to teach him that you aren't afraid and you are boss maybe spend as much time just you and your DH playing with him learn how to lead him well. Boss him around I wouldn't use a whip as many of the minis I have worked with do not like whips I use a length of PVC pipe doesn't hurt much but makes a noise. Carry that with you everywhere so ie/ if you standing at his shoulder you can use you PVC pipe on his rump to push him over. My advice would be to learn how to handle him correctly and confidently so you will feel safe with him around your daughter he doesn't sound like he is nasty he has just learnt that this behaviour means he gets put back to his "safe haven" Also the PVC pipe is great for if you are approaching him and his bum is facing you, you can use the pipe to move his butt away from you. Maybe even ask your trainer friend if he has a nice quite horse for you to learn how to handle a horse confidently and then put them in practice with your little friend hehe
 
**edited cause I can't spell most likely still mistakes**