kicking whilst travelling

Question
Hi i have a 7 year old 17.2 Irish sport horse who kicks the horsebox whilst travelling with her back leg. We travel about twice a week to competitions, she loads well and kicks only whilst actually traveling not whilst stood in the box, so i know the issue is with actually traveling not the horsebox. I have travelled with her in the horsebox and she does find it stressful and this is most definitely protest kicking not losing balance.  She will also kick the stable walls out of protest/stress if she was left in whilst the other horses go out  - she is a fantastic horse, honest and well mannered both in hand/ridden and this is her only vice.  I can manage the stable kicking problem simply by keeping her routine and keeping to a minimum the times when she would be in the situation, but i have to travel her in the horsebox if i am to continue to compete.  It makes no difference if she travels with other horses or on her own.  I have both a large horsebox and trailer and travelled her in both - again it makes no difference.  Up until now i have padded the walls with impact absorbing rubber, whilst this doesnt stop her kicking it hopefully minimizes the damage to herself and the horsebox,it has to be replaced constantly as it is kicked through, i would prefer to find a way to break the habit.  it has been suggested that i shackle her to stop her doing it, sedation is not an option as we compete. any ideas?

Answer
Hi Sarah!

I feel you have done everything correctly and I have nothing really pertinent to add....you are doing everything you can to try and manage an eccentric habit in an otherwise solid riding partner.

I would recommend leg wraps too, just in case she might strain something..and then just ignore it.  She is obviously trying to get your attention and if you are fretting around her, she is getting it, no?

As for shackles...NO!  Never, ever restrain a horses hooves or legs in a trailer!!  The person that recommended that is quite short-sighted about the problem and I am sure, not willing to pay your vet bill after the inevitable accident happens from doing that!

Lastly, do not be above using a bribe, such as food.  A favorite treat that she only gets while riding may be just enough of a diversion that she forgets to kick or at the very least, kicks less.

Being smarter is the only way to curb this behavior.  Force will never work.  Clever will win this one for you!

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange