How to stop my horse from kicking and bucking when I try to move him?

Hello. Your colt may allow you to touch him, but he may already consider you either a threat or a playmate. Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference. Foals are incredibly capable of learning & being trained, even within the first weeks after birth. I do not see a halter on him, so this is the first thing you need to do. He needs handling several times a day, learning especially to walk quietly with you. Carry a crop or whip & use it only defensively if he strikes at you. The earlier training begins in the life of a horse, the more effective it will be, providing it is done properly. Always keep an eye on this guy & expect him to take shots at you. Use your voice & the crop if he looks like he is up to mischief because he is not too young to learn that you are the boss. Horses learn by reinforcement, so be consistent & he will learn. I've been kicked by a few foals in my life, too. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I recommend taking a bucket of grain or treats, and approach him very slowly and quietly. If you do not feel safe, then do not approach him. You may be able to lure him back to a pen with food without ever touching him.

Your horse could have a mild colic or some other medical issue going on. I would watch him carefully to make sure he starts to eat normally, is drinking water, and passing stool. If he is rolling, looking at his sides, acting uncomfortable, and not passing stool he is likely feeling colicky and needs to see a veterinarian. Hope that helps!

I think you really need to have a chat with your veterinarian and your parents. I think you have taken on a large responsibility that really you are not able to take on. Please talk this over with your parents and your vet or anybody else that you know as a horse person. It is all well and good to try and rescue or rehabilitate a "damaged" horse, but unfortunately sometimes they cannot be rehabilitated. It is not your fault, and it is a noble cause for you, but imagine you or someone gets hurt. That would be terrible. DO not ever go near him without wearing a helmet, better yet, do not get in the stable with him. He could kill you.

How do you know he is sore? Does he react when you push on his back? How long ago was the custom saddle made? Was it made by a professional saddle fitter? I would say about 95% of the time a horse's sore back is due to an improperly fitted saddle. The other times it could be a variety of things from sore hocks to unbalanced hooves to arthritis to trauma. Too hard to say just based on your description. I recommend you have your vet out to do a full lameness exam - sometimes the hocks are sore but it is not noticeable until you do flexion tests. I would also revisit the saddle issue and have a professional saddle fitter out to check the saddle. In the meantime you could employ a massage therapist and /or equine chiropractor or acupuncturist to see if they can alleviate some of his symptoms. They will not usually be able to fix the underlying cause but they can help him feel better until you can figure it out.

Hi there, Start by using treats to encourage her to do the trick. Focus on one trick and a time, and then once she's learned that practice it daily. Horses need repetition and praise. For her to learn tricks, she'll need positive reinforcement when she does well and not be punished if she hasn't learned it yet. Keep things consistent and make it fun for her and you'll do well. Best wishes to you and Hope. Thanks for using Pet Coach!

Basic safety rules: Never feed treats out of your hand. Feed treats only in a bucket or bowl. Never enter a stallion pasture without a helmet. Best: Never enter any horse pasture without a helmet. The only way to stop this is by not giving them treats. Horses do not need treats.