Today was a VERY long day. I got up at 6:00 am and was out working with the horses at 7:00, so I took Soldier out I had a weird feeling about today, he acted strange and it was abnormally windy so I think he was scared. I had him in the small arena and i was having him walk around a bit and I decided to get him to a canter for 1 minuet. I stupidly was running in the arena with the bucket in my hand and he was 'chasing' me but i was on the inside so I didn't feel threatined or in a bad suituation. I turned to fast I suppose and he kicks FULL power nd before I know it I'm on the ground holding my left arm screaming! I must have blocked my face subconsiously and my ulna is broken right through, it's 'displaced' and I am in a cast for 2 or more months! I thank god it was my left since I do everything with my right hand, so I can still ride and go about my day FAIRLY normaly. I am seriously considering sending him to a pro until he's 3 or so. I always thought my first serious injury would be from a horse but I am extremely scared now I have never been kicked like this before and NEVER in a cast. Soldier, Soldier, Soldier.

Send positive thoughts my way and wish Soldier a less skidish way since I cannot and most likely will not be working with him.

I am sorry to hear about your accident!!!  If I was you ( and if you are in the position to do so) I would NOT hesitate to send him to a pro for some attitude adjustment.  Thank God it was your arm and not your face.  I dont know if you will ever be able to completely trust him...but I think some time away will do you both good!  ++++++sending positive thoughts your way+++++++

 It could have been a lot worse you're right! I really wont be able to see him the same way, and I most likely send him away for awhile, but I'm just very upset right now and need to roll it all over in my head. It is a very bad time for this to happen since our sheep  load is coming in about a week and we also are buying a new cattle pup for that reason, and I will have a hard time doing everything we need to. Thank you for your positive thoughts!

Deeeep breath...  Ouch!

I will say up front that, knock on wood, I have not so far been kicked (although it has been close a few times).  I was however run over by 2 horses during a "food fight" - stepped on and dislocated my left ankle, multiple compound fractures in tib/fib, concussion, and new left elbow, two weeks in the hospital and 4 months before I could ride, so I do understand whereof you speak about trust and fear.  I hear you.

Now that you know he has this in him you must be wery, wery careful, and carry either a longe whip or a dressage whip with you at all times around him.  If he even looks like he is going to turn his butt to you, whap hard on said butt and legs. 

You say you were carrying a bucket.  If he was starved when he came to you, he may be very food aggressive for awhile (or forever) and you will have to remember this at all times.  The bucket may have triggered food issues or fear.

 The running over incident changed for me the way I looked at horses; it was a painful learning experience.  I find it very hard, having not been around them all my life, to grasp "prey animal" and the behavior that goes with that. People are predators and the dogs I grew up with and have are, of course, predators.  They chase, they don't run from or react violently to  fear (usually).

Two horses that thought that they needed to kick:

one - a paint mare from auction and definite fear issues.  She almost got me once, carried my longe whip for awhile and whopped the rear every time it turned toward me, she soon quit when she realized that it hurt to try to kick and I really gave good neck rubs and treats when she was being friendly.

two - currently, another boarder's gelding - she's never there and was not feeding him, so when I started haying my guys outside, there was a problem with serious aggression to the other horses and one time when I was chasing him away from a serious fight he turned and tried to kick me.  Now I put hay out with only him outside, then turn my guys out, And I carry that dressage whip.  After the first time I used it on him he has never tried to kick me again and has become a  friend, realizing that he better behave or I will put him in the other paddock while everyone else chows down.  He also knows the food will be there and that I give really good neck rubs and treat for good behavior.

Try to control the fear, but remember that it is also your friend and that when you are around horses always be very alert to their body language - especially with a new guy.  You are the best one to do the attitude adjustment, b/c then it is you he respects, not some trainer.  And no more running and chasing with Soldier!

May you heal faster than expected.  Sorry if this seems too long or preachy... 

IMHO

  I know I was very stupid to be so carefree with him, I have learned even when you think your close to your horse, some times they do what they feel they have to. He was scared or felt threatened or wanted food or something and he kicked, it's just the way he is although he doesn't HAVE to do it he thinks he does. I broke down after I got home, not because my arm was of no use, but because I thought him and I were close and that we had come along way and was being so good, but then this happens, and my thoughts of him are forever drastically changed. I want to go back out there when I'm healed but I think my arm may come before my emotions. Maybe it's just the stallion in him, who knows, I just hope he comes around at some point, some how.

Now, if you really feel you cannot look at this horse the same way, sell him...for his sake. Find him a nice home with someone that can handle him, has experience with babies, and doesn't have the emotional history you are going to have if you can't let this go.

As absolutely, astoundingly high on my "no no's" list that kicking is (right up there with rearing, striking, and biting), I have to say that this really was not wholey or even mostly the horse's fault. He is extremely young, you felt something was off (I know hindsight is 20/20, but learn something from that...LISTEN when your gut tells you something is not normal), it was windy and probably cooler (so he was excited and had way more energy than usual)....yet you still not only asked him to canter (not necessarily an unfair request) but were "playing" with him and allowing him to chase you..perhaps even encouraging it (or that's how I read it). I've nearly been kicked under much more favorable conditions with much older horses with more years and sense in their heads when doing similar stuff. Playing with horses like that can be fun and rewarding, but it is DANGEROUS under even the best of conditions. You become just another colt/horse, or worse yet...a predator...when doing that kind of stuff; they forget you are human and thus much more fragile (if we can even really expect them to understand that in the first place) and they forget they are big and powerful. What he did to you would have been totally normal for him to do to another colt that was playing with him (from what I gather from your post). Wrong? perhaps...possibly...probably; unexpected, no, especially not at his age and experience level and under the circumstances. Soldier is not at fault here.

He's very young. He's going to be skiddish, he's going to spook, he's going to have days where he's an exited bundle of explosives, and he's going to have bad days when you wonder if you've taught him anything. You either have to be able to deal with that, mentally and emotionally, or you need to sell him. (Take him to a trainer and he'll work fine for that trainer until he comes home and knows you are afraid of him, and he will test you reguardless of how good a job the trainer does).

I understand with a broken arm you can't work with him. However, you might want to consider some alternatives. Could you find him a pasture with other horses roughly his age so he could socialize, learn normal horse behavior, and most importantly play some of that energy off?? Or perhaps find someone else willing to work with him at least occassionally while you heal? Leaving a baby to sit for a few months is not the end of the world, and can be good for them (gives them a chance to be a horse and grow up some). Leaving them in a stall, or even in a pasture where they are going to get little exercise or social interaction however won't do anything but make that youthful energy and skittishness much worse to deal with later.

  I know it was my fault. I admit it completely. But even so it still does chane my look on him, and I think you may think I am not being correct saying so, it just has no matter if it was his or my fault I loko at him different and that's just what it is, can't change it. Maybe I should sell him. Give up, give up on him, my little colt I worked so hard to fatten up and make it through his rain rot, neglect and everything else. You don't realize how much I love this little boy, I am scared of him, But I love the hell out of him. But I guess he just wasn't meant for me, I guess if I really do love him, i should give him up. But the tears, the tears will pour. I know Soldier deserves better and needs someone to really teach him and knows more then myself. I know I will cause much controversy with this as I have before talking about Soldier.  I just need to stop and really think about it, what's best for him and what I want arn't the same.

Thanks, QHAllaround, I so agree.  I warn my kids: do not ever "play" with the horses like you would with the dogs.... (even dogs can be dangerous as I have learned the hard way), because the horse will always win.  I once had a horse nearly kill me by running me over when he was scared.  I tried to stop him with the wooden straight rake I had in my hand and he broke it in half and drove me right into the fence.  I put him up for sale the next day.  I have also been kicked by a "playing" horse.  What makes them go "uhhh" can kill us.  If you don't choose to sell, do take him to a reputable trainer.  My trainer says, "people buy a horse, it puts them in the hospital and then they take it to me."  And she has some very wonderful success stories, so this can have a happy ending.  Let us know what you decide.

Maybe I can offer some helpful words, since I just dealt with a horse that kicked this year. I had the mare for 3 years and never had any trouble out of her(not any more than a horse would give anyone). She developed a kicking issue with other people(even the people that did nothing but feed her), but not with me. Then this summer, she kicked my 4 year old daughter. I loved this mare to death--she was the first horse that I had trained from scratch and she was going to make an awesome hunter/jumper--but I could no longer trust her, or even work with her without questioning in my head the whole time was she going to aim for me next. Granted, she really had no reason to kick where Soldier did have reason(or so he thought). That makes a difference, but it doesn't change anything overall. I had to get my mare out of my ownership and off my property as soon as I could because she had become dangerous to be around. As someone else mentioned, I even carried a whip with me at all times around her and if her hips turned more than a few degrees toward me, she got a snap across the legs or hip. With Soldier, he is young and you know what caused him to kick at you. I would suggest, if possible, have him gelded and put him out to pasture for a while until you recover enough that you can try working with him again. You've put a lot of care and work and love into this horse, don't give up until you know for sure that it's in his best interest. If you find that you can build that trust back up(it will take a long time and lots of precaution), then keep him and make sure that in your training you make him respect you. If your view of him has permanently changed and you won't be able to trust him again at some point, then it is time to put a sale ad out for him. That is when it becomes better for you and him that the two of you part ways. It won't be an easy path no matter which direction the situation goes, but at least then you know you've done all you can to give him the best life possible, whether it be with you or someone else. I hope this helps you at least a little, and I hope your arm heals quickly. On the bright side, at least it didn't require surgery to put back in place. I'm an x-ray tech and I've seen plenty of broken bones only able to be mended with plates and screws!

When I showed AQHA I trained with a husband and wife team; he rode the horses for the most part and she taught the people. Well, the husband fell off of their homebred/raised/trained colt out of their favorite mare (you want to discuss love and emotional attatchment to a horse...) and was stepped on/kicked in the head (no one saw it, we don't know really). The doctors think that it was possible, even probable that something happened BEFORE he fell off (stroke specifically) which spooked the horse or he fell off under the horse. Either way he died, and no one blamed the horse. BUT, no one could look at the horse the same way and no one wanted to deal with the horse either. (I certaintly couldn't and I could tell my feelings were shared through pretty much everyone at the barn; I can't imagine how hard it was for the wife.) The only fair thing for the horse was to sell him to someone that didn't have that anger/fear/emotional/whatever you want to call it association with him, because otherwise he was sitting in a stall/pasture doing nothing but being shunned.

So, I totally get it :) Give it a few weeks, if you still feel like that outlook on him has changed perminantly to one of fear/mistrust seriously consider selling him. As long as you feel it you BOTH will always feel that and it won't make for a good relationship; if it's fear he will take advantage of you pretty much reguardless of training and if it's mistrust he won't trust you. If it's both he won't trust or respect you, and horses just have that way of knowing you can't hide it, fortunately or unfortunately.

But do give it some time before you really start seriously thinking about it. It may be with time and a professional working with him and you you can overcome the changed perspective. You have to realize that you do have to let go of at least most of that changed perspective though (having a renewed sense of respect and caution for what he, as a horse, can do is ok, but fearing him because of it isn't). So you should put some thought into it and be honest with yourself.

Tank&Soldier'sMom:

  I know it was my fault. I admit it completely. But even so it still does chane my look on him, and I think you may think I am not being correct saying so, it just has no matter if it was his or my fault I loko at him different and that's just what it is, can't change it. Maybe I should sell him. Give up, give up on him, my little colt I worked so hard to fatten up and make it through his rain rot, neglect and everything else. You don't realize how much I love this little boy, I am scared of him, But I love the hell out of him. But I guess he just wasn't meant for me, I guess if I really do love him, i should give him up. But the tears, the tears will pour. I know Soldier deserves better and needs someone to really teach him and knows more then myself. I know I will cause much controversy with this as I have before talking about Soldier.  I just need to stop and really think about it, what's best for him and what I want arn't the same.

 

 

You have nothing to be ashamed of- you got him out of a bad situation, and gave him a chance for a good future. That in itself should give you alot of satisfaction. I was in a similar situation, got a young rescue horse, got her healthy, and then sold her to a really nice lady who had the time and self-confidence to work with her that I was lacking. It made me sad, but I knew it wasn't fair to either of us for me to keep her. Now I have a 12 year old quarter horse gelding that I adore, and although he's still an animal that is big enough to hurt me, I have alot more confidence working with him because he already has alot of training and experience. Although I love them both, he's just a better match for me at this point in my life. Both horses seem much more content with their lives because of my decision. Don't regret getting Soldier and making his life good again- be proud of yourself for that.     

How scary for you!  and painful.  Just know we are all thinking about you. 

I would not make any hasty decisions.  Having been through a crisis you need to let the shock wear off before making a decision.  Most of us have done something silly with our horses when we were not thinking and most of time we escape without injury, but not always.  We forget sometimes what big, dangerous animals they are.

Go over it in your head and think about what you would or should have done differently.  That is what makes us better horsepeople.  Soldier is young and still learning, he may or may not have meant to make contact.  Obviously a pro trainer would be a good idea even if you decide to sell him, but I would try to have someone close enough that you can go by and watch and learn.  Trust is a hard thing to build and takes time, it is easily destroyed.  But it can be rebuilt by working on the little things, teaching him to respect your space, move away from pressure and general good manners.  Take your time, think it through and you will come to the right conclusion.  Meanwhile, if you can send him to a local trainer both of you will probably gain from it. 

JMHO.  Wishing you a speedy recovery in everyway.

T&S'sMom,

You've had a very draining and disappointing day...........not to mention physical pain.  I know how that can hurt emotionally too.  I support the comments of so many of your friends who advise you to give the situation some time before making any decisions. 

After a 3 month recovery from a nasty horse accident (which was my fault for not being on my toes), I was healed physically, but I couldn't get NEAR a horse emotionally.  Logic had nothing to do with it.  It took months for me to ride confidently again.  (It didn't happen with one of our loves below.)

But handling and training a stallion is far different from working with geldings and mares.  If you are experienced with stallions, enough said.  If not, I would seriously consider getting him gelded if you decide to keep him.  Even then, 2 year old geldings are likely to do the same thing.  As QHAllaround said, at that age they do not have the experience or training yet.

Tomorrow will be better, and more so the day after that.  I wish you a speedy recovery.  Please let us know how it goes.

Unfortunately, I missed the apparent previous posts about your relationship with Soldier and know nothing about this colt. But from what I can glean from the posts here, I think QHAA is spot-on with her assessment. He was busy being a young horse and 'thought' you were, too. A good trainer CAN help guide this horse to a solid foundation and provide insight and correction to what some might call "issues", if he indeed has any. The trainer may or may NOT be able to help with YOUR issues though. You, or anyone else who takes on the responsibility of raising or rehabilitating a horse, should have a firm understanding of horse psychology, some solid training experience under your belt and a truthful self-evaluation of your own limitations BEFORE you make the commitment of horse ownership. Even then, those elements only equip you with the basic tools to make mutual trust POSSIBLE. I don't think Soldier did anything that would make him untrustworthy. But it doesn't matter what I or a roomful of other trainers think. It's what YOU think that limits your possibilities for success with Soldier or any other horse from here on.

There is a very valuable lesson here that has already been paid for with your broken arm. You can use it to your advantage or you can quit right now and wonder about 'what could've been'. That's YOUR call. If you brought Soldier to me with your story, my advice would be for you to let me train YOU and Soldier together. That's the ONLY possibility I see for you to get your confidence back and re-establish trust in your horse. And what you have the opportunity to learn may well provide you with that "Ah-HA!" moment that all good horsemen and horsewomen have had at some point in their lives that put magic in their relationship with horses forever. The only real question is, how badly do you want that to happen?

Soldier did nothing wrong. He's just an untrained colt that was acting like an untrained colt. And, in a moment of fun and joy, you got caught up in it. You did a wonderful and loving thing by giving him a second chance when you got him. I hope you can decide to do the same thing for yourself. Good luck! ~FH

Boy I know exactly how you feel.

I was stupid and managed to get kicked by 2 yearlings at the same time. Broke my arm and ribs. All I could think of at the time was "oh no not my head".

I had no problems dealing with the one colt but ended up selling the other one very cheaply because I could never trust him. I have no idea why I felt so different about them. The one I sold never was mean nor offered to kick or bite. I have had horses that were out to hurt people and turned them around and was never scared of them...... so give it a bit of time and see if you want to work with your guy or not. Do what ever is the right thing for you.

Did the Dr talk to you about healing or plates? My arm never healed!!!! I am trying to go through life with a broken arm. I did go to 3 different surgeons and no one would touch it.