Cost of keeping a horse (DIY VS Stabling Yards)

[Willem vd Mescht]

I just give him a slap on the bum and tell him in a strict voice to stop.
He eventually stops and I'm able to mount safely.

Sound like you are on the right track. Kicking when mounting often is a result of a rider, past or present, who dug their tow into his side while mounting. I'm not hinting that you are the one digging into his side with your tow, however, if the kicking is a result from such past experience on the horse's part, just be aware of it and the fact that even just a light touch of your tow to his side might trigger the kick.

I once too leased a horse that did that and I knew the rider who leased him before me dug her tow into his side when she mounted, so for a while I used a bucket to mount and jumped straight up without using the stirrup. Later I gradually started using the stirrup and the bucket together and eventually I could mount him again from the ground without a problem.

As for the kicking when you pick his feet up. You could try desensitizing him with an old spaghetti mop. Just try to "mop" his legs with the mop, that way, if he kick, he gets the mop and not you. Once you've done a couple of sessions with no sign of kicking with the mop, you can move on to just rubbing his legs with your hands and if he is OK with that, go on to picking his feet up again.

[Cowgirl@heart]

Happy to report that the last time I went to ride Vrystaat, he did not try to kick me when I was mounting. Seems like he just needed time to adjust to myself and the guy exercising him and needed more time under saddle.

Needed patience too. And we groomed the horses before tacking up and I got nipped on my arm while brushing Vrystaat. I must add that he was busy eating and I assume he doesn't like being bothered while eating.

But I don't mind the nipping, as it only happened that once and I am sure there was a logical explanation for it. Maybe I didn't brush him correctly and it irritated him. Who knows? When it came to picking out his hooves, NO PROBLEMS! It would seem like I resolved that issue also!

So proud of myself! I must admit that I picked out his right front hoof and then brushed my hand along his body and down his leg before asking him for his foot. He didn't try to kick, though he did try to pull his leg from my hand. I just told him no and he kept perfectly still!

It's amazing how I just seem to naturally know how to deal with these things. And no force was used. Ok, the bum slapping when he kicked out when I wanted to mount may not have been the right approach, but it was dangerous so I had to repremand him in some way. His owner was happy with the way I dealt with it, and seemed thoroughly impressed at how he improved since he is now ridden more often.

She'll be able to devote some more time to him from October, so he won't lose his wonderful attitude again. And hopefully by then I'll be much closer to owning my own horse!!!

Just need to get the money together and then I can seriously begin shopping around. There'll always be some good deal, timing is the main factor. Lol.

But all things considered, I will be able to own a horse and so I'm very excited. In the meantime, I am happy to ride other people's horses!