Kicking Mustang

Question
 Hi. I purchased a 4 year old mustang from the BLM in September. And for 5 months, I bonded with him while he was at a "trainer" who did nothing with him.  I taught him how to lead, but other than that, he knew nothing.  He has now been at an Amish trainer (he's very good!) for a bit over 2 months and has made UNBELIEVABLE progress.  He is riding, leading, and being groomed.  The only problem is he is still very spooky and kicks when he's nervous. The Amish trainer, Ernie, has been trying different methods to get him to stop, but he still lifts his leg when he's nervous, even if he doesn't strike out.  The farrier hasn't even been able to trim his back hooves.  He's not a mean horse, he just gets nervous and tries to defend himself.  My mom is ready to take him back to the BLM (I'm 16) but I'm attached and not ready to give up on him yet. She is giving him 2 more weeks at the Amish trainer and then we have to "evaluate".  I have been riding and working with horses since I was 8, and am not inexperienced.  I may be able to persuade her to let us take him to our trainers (who gives me lessons) after the next 2 weeks, but he will have to be surely broke of the kicking.  
  He's very good under saddle (Doesn't buck, bolt, though he's a bit hard in the mouth.) And he's sweet, loves getting his face rubbed. He just gets nervous with his back end/legs touched.  
  If you have any advice or tips, PLEASE let me know! I'm desperate to keep him!!!
     Thank you,
     Laura

Answer
Laura -

Sorry for the delay, my web connection has not been working.

You can try two things:
First, you can take an old lunge whip and cut off the "whip" part.  Then tie a bandana to the end.  You should basically have a long stick with a flag on the end.  This is a nice tool because you can safely stand at the horses shoulder and rub them down on the back legs and belly without getting in kicking range.  Plus you can move the flag around and get them used to things moving around them and touching them.

Second, you can put yourself in the horses blind spot.  If I could attach pictures it would help, but I can't so I will do my best to explain.  A horse will get nervous if you are out of site, but still around.  They have a blind spot directly behind them, from hip to hip pretty much, so what you want to do is safely pass through t hat blind spot until the horse gets over it.  So in a round pen or small paddock, with the horse on a lunge line - lets say with the horses left side facing you - take the lunge whip and run it along the right side of the horse, around the butt and back to you in the center of the pen.  Then you pull on the lead line.  The horse should get pulled to its right causing its hind end to swing and pass you through the blind spot.  

I would try those two things and see if they help.  Sometimes they will do that behavior until you teach them to pick up their feet.  Sometimes it takes more.  I hope this helps a little.

Best of Luck!
Michael Hockemeyer
Kicking Bear Mustangs